bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cisatracurium stimulates testosterone synthesis in rat and mouse Leydig cells via nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Authors: Ni Chaobo , Li Yang , Li Zengqiang , Tian Lili , Fu Jie , Wu Keyang , Wang Yiyan , Yao Ming , Ge Ren‐shan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAs a cis‐acting non‐depolarizing neuromuscular blocker through a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR), cisatracurium (CAC) is widely used in anaesthesia and intensive care units. nAChR may be present on Leydig cells to mediate the action of CAC. Here, by Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, we identified that CHRNA4 (a subunit of nAChR) exists only on rat adult Leydig cells. We studied the effect of CAC on the synthesis of testosterone in rat adult Leydig cells and mouse MLTC‐1 tumour cells. Rat Leydig cells and MLTC‐1 cells were treated with CAC (5, 10 and 50 μmol/L) or nAChR agonists (50 μmol/L nicotine or 50 μmol/L lobeline) for 12 hours, respectively. We found that CAC significantly increased testosterone output in rat Leydig cells and mouse MLTC‐1 cells at 5 μmol/L and higher concentrations. However, nicotine and lobeline inhibited testosterone synthesis. CAC increased intracellular cAMP levels, and nicotine and lobeline reversed this change in rat Leydig cells. CAC may increase testosterone synthesis in rat Leydig cells and mouse MLTC‐1 cells by up‐regulating the expression of Lhcgr and Star. Up‐regulation of Scarb1 and Hsd3b1 expression by CAC was also observed in rat Leydig cells. In addition to cAMP signal transduction, CAC can induce ERK1/2 phosphorylation in rat Leydig cells. In conclusion, CAC binds to nAChR on Leydig cells, and activates cAMP and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, thereby up‐regulating the expression of key genes and proteins in the steroidogenic cascade, resulting in increased testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells.
Compost spatial heterogeneity promotes evolutionary diversification of a bacterium
Authors: van Houte Stineke , Padfield Daniel , Gómez Pedro , Luján Adela M. , Brockhurst Michael A. , Paterson Steve , Buckling Angus 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSpatial resource heterogeneity is expected to be a key driver for the evolution of diversity. However, direct empirical support for this prediction is limited to studies carried out in simplified laboratory environments. Here, we investigate how altering spatial heterogeneity of potting compost—by the addition of water and mixing—affects the evolutionary diversification of a bacterial species,Pseudomonas fluorescens, that is naturally found in the environment. There was a greater propensity of resource specialists to evolve in the unmanipulated compost, while more generalist phenotypes dominated the compost–water mix. Genomic data were consistent with these phenotypic findings. Competition experiments strongly suggest these results are due to diversifying selection as a result of resource heterogeneity, as opposed to other covariables. Overall, our findings corroborate theoretical and in vitro findings, but in semi‐natural, more realistic conditions.
Trophic relationship between the Patinga hybrid (Piaractus mesopotamicusxPiaractus brachypomus) andEchinorhynchus gomesiMachado Filho, 1948 in fish farms
Authors: Gouveia Élida J. , Cavalcanti Lidiany D. , Leal Fernanda C. , Mendes Sarah G.F. , Russo Márcia R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA total of 122 Patinga specimens were collected from fish farms (P1, P2 and P3), and only those from fish farm P1 were shown to be infected withEchinorhynchus gomesi. In addition, fish in this study were shown to have diets that consisted of 21 different food items, andNotodiaptomussp. (Copepoda: Calanoida) was identified as a potential intermediate host forE. gomesi.
Patients’ and parents’ perspectives of and experiences with assessing nursing students’ paediatric clinical practice
Authors: Balasa Rebecca , Chartrand Julie , Moreau Katherine , Tousignant Kelley , Eady Kaylee 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPurposeTo explore patients’ and parents’ involvement in the formative assessment of undergraduate nursing students’ paediatric clinical practice.MethodsWe conducted semi‐structured interviews with paediatric patients between 14 to 18 years old and parents who received care from a nursing student while admitted to a paediatric tertiary care hospital in Canada. We analysed the data using qualitative content analysis as well as Lincoln and Guba's criteria for establishing trustworthiness. The Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative studies (COREQ) checklist was completed for the quality appraisal of this article.FindingsThree categories emerged from the data: 1) how patients and parents are currently involved in the formative assessment of nursing students’ paediatric clinical practice; 2) how patients and parents would prefer to be involved in the formative assessment of nursing students’ paediatric clinical practice; and 3) the potential benefits and challenges of involving patients and parents in the formative assessment of nursing students’ paediatric clinical practice.ConclusionThis study provided an understanding of patients’ and parents’ past encounters with nursing students and the elements of care that they have assessed as well as those that they would prefer to assess and provide feedback on, while considering the potential benefits and challenges of their involvement. The findings of this study will assist clinical instructors in determining how and when to involve patients and parents in the assessment of nursing students. Academic institutions offering nursing programmes should consider the study findings when improving or changing formative assessment strategies.
Age‐related differences in diagnostic categories, psychological states and oral health–related quality of life of adult temporomandibular disorder patients
Authors: Ujin Yap Adrian , Cao Ye , Zhang Min‐Juan , Lei Jie , Fu Kai‐Yuan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe peak prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) may occur in middle age. This study determined the proportion of matured adults seeking TMD treatment and compared their diagnostic, psychological and oral health–related quality‐of‐life (OHRQoL) profiles to younger patients.MethodsAdult subjects were recruited from a tertiary TMD centre and assigned to three age groups, namely 18‐44 years (young adults [YA]), 45‐64 (middle‐aged adults [MA]) and ≥65 (old adults [OA]). TMD diagnoses were established with the Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs and categorised as pain‐related (PT), intra‐articular (IT) and combined (CT) TMDs. Psychological states and OHRQoL were assessed with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale‐21 (DASS‐21) and Oral Health Impact Profile‐TMDs (OHIP‐TMDs). Demographic, DASS‐21, and OHIP‐TMDs data were analysed using chi‐square test, one‐way ANOVA and Pearson's correlation (P < .05).ResultsMiddle‐aged (19.7%; 136/692) and old (4.0%; 28/692) adults comprised about a quarter of the TMD patients. Although gender distribution was comparable, significant differences in TMD categories were observed (P < .001). Pain‐related TMDs were more prevalent in the MA/OA groups while intra‐articular TMDs were more frequent in the YA group. No significant difference in DASS‐21 and total OHIP scores was noted among three groups. However, the MA and OA groups had significantly lower OHRQoL in the physical pain domain. Correlations between DASS‐21 and OHIP‐TMDs scores varied with age and ranged from rs = 0.47‐0.92.ConclusionsMatured patients constituted a quarter of TMD cohort and presented higher frequencies of painful TMDs. They have similar psychological profiles to younger patients but experienced lower OHRQoL in physical pain domain.
The mechanisms associated with reflux episodes in ambulant subjects with gastro‐esophageal reflux disease
Authors: Iovino Paola , Theron Byron , Prew Sandra , Menon Shyam , Trudgill Nigel 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe mechanisms associated with gastro‐esophageal reflux (GER) episodes were studied using combined High‐resolution Impedance Manometry (HRIM) and pH monitoring in ambulant subjects with different patterns of GERD.MethodsSixteen subjects with mild‐moderate esophagitis (Los Angeles (LA) grade A&B) (group A) and 11 subjects with severe esophagitis (LA grade C&D) or Barrett's esophagus (BE) were studied before and after a meal, resting, while walking, and during standardized exercise, using a HRIM and a pH probe.Key ResultsPost‐prandial acid GER episodes were more common in group B (median 10 range (3‐18) vs A (6.5 (0‐18), p = 0.048). Postprandial acid clearance time was much longer in group B (median 0.71( 0.07‐2.66 min) vs A (0.17 (0.04‐2.44 min), p = 0.02). Transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation (TLESR) was the most frequent mechanism associated with GER episodes in both groups. Post‐prandial TLESRs with GER were more common in group B (median 17 (9‐24) vs A 13.5 (7‐34), p = 0.014), particularly during exercise (B 8 (6‐9) vs A 6 (5‐6.8), p = 0.007). Post‐prandially TLESR with acid reflux increased during exercise in both groups (A rest median 2.4 (0‐6.4) per hour vs exercise 4.7 (0‐17.3), p = 0.005 and B 4 (0.8‐9.6) vs 5.3 (2.7‐13.3) per hour, p = 0.045).Conclusions and InferencesTLESR was the most common mechanism associated with reflux episodes in all subjects. Acid reflux episodes were more common in subjects with severe esophagitis or BE and esophageal acid clearance was much slower. Post‐prandial exercise increased TLESR with acid reflux and GERD patients should be encouraged to avoid exercise immediately after a meal.
Recombination suppression and evolutionary strata around mating‐type loci in fungi: documenting patterns and understanding evolutionary and mechanistic causes
Authors: Hartmann Fanny E. , Duhamel Marine , Carpentier Fantin , Hood Michael E. , Foulongne‐Oriol Marie , Silar Philippe , Malagnac Fabienne , Grognet Pierre , Giraud Tatiana 
Published: October 2020

SummaryGenomic regions determining sexual compatibility often display recombination suppression, as occurs in sex chromosomes, plant self‐incompatibility loci and fungal mating‐type loci. Regions lacking recombination can extend beyond the genes determining sexes or mating types, by several successive steps of recombination suppression. Here we review the evidence for recombination suppression around mating‐type loci in fungi, sometimes encompassing vast regions of the mating‐type chromosomes. The suppression of recombination at mating‐type loci in fungi has long been recognized and maintains the multiallelic combinations required for correct compatibility determination. We review more recent evidence for expansions of recombination suppression beyond mating‐type genes in fungi (‘evolutionary strata’), which have been little studied and may be more pervasive than commonly thought. We discuss testable hypotheses for the ultimate (evolutionary) and proximate (mechanistic) causes for such expansions of recombination suppression, including (1) antagonistic selection, (2) association of additional functions to mating‐type, such as uniparental mitochondria inheritance, (3) accumulation in the margin of nonrecombining regions of various factors, including deleterious mutations or transposable elements resulting from relaxed selection, or neutral rearrangements resulting from genetic drift. The study of recombination suppression in fungi could thus contribute to our understanding of recombination suppression expansion across a broader range of organisms.
Prognostic Implications of Preoperative Pneumonia for Geriatric Patients Undergoing Hip Fracture Surgery or Arthroplasty
Authors: Shen Jia‐wei , Zhang Pei‐xun , An You‐zhong , Jiang Bao‐guo 
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveTo report outcomes of geriatric patients undergoing hip fracture surgery or arthroplasty with or without preoperative pneumonia and to evaluate the influence of pneumonia severity on patient prognosis.MethodsIn this single center retrospective study, we included geriatric patients (≥60 years old) who had undergone hip fracture surgery or arthroplasty at Peking University People's Hospital from January 2008 to September 2018. Patients with fractures caused by neoplasms or patients with incomplete clinical data were excluded. Using logistic regression and the CURB‐65 (confusion, uremia, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and age ≥65 years) score as a prediction tool of 1‐year mortality, the effect of preoperative pneumonia on 1‐year mortality was evaluated. Survival of patients with different response to pneumonia‐specific therapy and survival of patients with different pneumonia severity (evaluated with CURB‐65 score) were analyzed using Cox regression.ResultsA total of 1386 patients were included; among them, 109 patients (7.86%) were diagnosed with preoperative pneumonia. Outcomes were evaluated in August 2019 (at least 1 year after surgery for all patients). Compared to patients without preoperative pneumonia, patients with this condition had higher 30‐day mortality (11.9% vs 5%, P = 0.002) and 1‐year mortality rates (33.9% vs 16.3%, P < 0.001) and higher incidence of acute heart failure (7.3% vs 3.4%, P = 0.034) and acute kidney injury (5.5% vs 1.8%, P = 0.009). In multivariate regression, preoperative pneumonia was identified as an independent predictor of 1‐year mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39–3.52; P = 0.021), with other factors including age (≥84 years, OR, 1.46; 95% CI 1.08–1.60; P = 0.027), body mass index (<18.5 kg/m2, OR 2.23; 95% CI 1.52–3.17, P < 0.001), anesthesia type (regional, OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.19–0.97, P = 0.042), preoperative pneumonia (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.39–3.52; P = 0.002), congestive heart failure (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.57–6.21, P < 0.001), chronic kidney disease (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.50–2.62; P < 0.001). There was a trend of increased 1‐year mortality as the CURB‐65 score elevated (P for trend = 0.006). Cox regression reveals a higher risk of mortality in patient with preoperative pneumonia, especially in patients with no radiologic improvements after therapy (log‐rank, P = 0.035). Analysis of the impact of pneumonia severity on patient survival using Cox regression reveals that a CURB‐65 score ≥3 indicated a lower rate of survival (CURB‐65 score of 3: hazard ratio [HR] 3.12, 95% CI 1.39–7.03, P = 0.006; score of 4: HR 3.41, 95% CI 1.69–6.92, P = 0.001; score of 5: HR 6.28, 95% CI 2.95–13.35, P < 0.001).ConclusionIn this single center retrospective study, preoperative pneumonia was identified as an independent risk factor of 1‐year mortality in geriatric patients undergoing hip fracture surgery or arthroplasty. A CURB‐65 score ≥3 indicated a higher risk of mortality.
Overexpression of alfalfa SIMK promotes root hair growth, nodule clustering and shoot biomass production
Authors: Hrbáčková Miroslava , Luptovčiak Ivan , Hlaváčková Kateřina , Dvořák Petr , Tichá Michaela , Šamajová Olga , Novák Dominik , Bednarz Hanna , Niehaus Karsten , Ovečka Miroslav , Šamaj Jozef 
Published: October 2020

SummaryNitrogen‐fixing rhizobia and legumes have developed complex mutualistic mechanism that allows to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Signalling by mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) seems to be involved in this symbiotic interaction. Previously, we reported that stress‐induced MAPK (SIMK) shows predominantly nuclear localization in alfalfa root epidermal cells. Nevertheless, SIMK is activated and relocalized to the tips of growing root hairs during their development. SIMK kinase (SIMKK) is a well‐known upstream activator of SIMK. Here, we characterized production parameters of transgenic alfalfa plants with genetically manipulated SIMK after infection with Sinorhizobium meliloti. SIMKK RNAi lines, causing strong downregulation of both SIMKK and SIMK, showed reduced root hair growth and lower capacity to form infection threads and nodules. In contrast, constitutive overexpression of GFP‐tagged SIMK promoted root hair growth as well as infection thread and nodule clustering. Moreover, SIMKK and SIMK downregulation led to decrease, while overexpression of GFP‐tagged SIMK led to increase of biomass in above‐ground part of plants. These data suggest that genetic manipulations causing downregulation or overexpression of SIMK affect root hair, nodule and shoot formation patterns in alfalfa, and point to the new biotechnological potential of this MAPK.
Post‐transplant malignancies in pediatric organ transplant recipients
Authors: Robinson Cal H. , Coughlin Carrie C. , Chanchlani Rahul , Dharnidharka Vikas R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe majority of cancer diagnoses in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) are post‐transplantation lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLD) or skin cancers. However, pediatric SOTRs are also at significantly elevated risk for multiple other solid and hematological cancers. The risks of specific cancers vary by transplanted organ, underlying disease, and immunosuppression factors. More than one‐quarter of pediatric SOTRs develop cancer within 30 years of transplantation and their risk of solid cancer is 14 times greater than the general population. Pediatric SOTRs are at significantly higher risk of cancer‐associated death. Improving patient survival among pediatric SOTRs puts them at risk of adult epithelial cancers associated with environmental carcinogenic exposures. Vaccination against oncogenic viruses and avoidance of excessive immunosuppression may reduce the risk of solid cancers following transplantation. Patient and family education regarding photoprotection is an essential component of skin cancer prevention. There is significant variability in cancer screening recommendations for SOTRs and general population approaches are typically not validated for transplant populations. An individualized approach to cancer screening should be developed based on estimated cancer risk, patient life expectancy, and screening test performance.
Do funding sources influence long‐term patient survival in pediatric liver transplantation?
Authors: Dick André A. S. , Winstanley Elizabeth , Ohara Michael , Blondet Niviann M. , Healey Patrick J. , Perkins James D. , Reyes Jorge D. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundSocioeconomic status has been associated with inferior outcomes after multiple surgical procedures, but has not been well studied with respect to pediatric liver transplantation. This study evaluated the impact of insurance status (as a proxy for socioeconomic status) on patient and allograft survival in pediatric first‐time liver transplant recipients.MethodsOur retrospective analysis of the UNOS data base from January 2002 through September 2017 revealed 6997 pediatric patients undergoing first‐time isolated liver transplantation. A mixed Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for donor, recipient, and program characteristics determined the RR of insurance status on allograft and patient survival. All results were considered significant at P < .05. All statistical results were obtained using R version 3.5.1 and coxme version 2.2‐10.ResultsMedicaid status had a significant negative impact on long‐term survival after controlling for multiple covariates. Pediatric patients undergoing first‐time isolated liver transplantation with Medicaid insurance had a RR of 1.42 [confidence interval: 1.18‐1.60] of post‐transplant death.ConclusionPediatric patients undergoing first‐time isolated liver transplantation have multiple risk factors that may impact long‐term survival. Having Medicaid insurance almost doubles the chances of dying post‐liver transplant. This patient population may require more global support post‐transplant to improve long‐term survival.
Do affective desires provide reasons for action?
Authors: Shaw Ashley 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis paper evaluates the claim that some desires provide reasons in virtue of their connection with conscious affective experiences like feelings of attraction or aversion. I clarify the nature of affective desires and several distinct ways in which affective desires might provide reasons. Against accounts proposed by Ruth Chang, Declan Smithies and Jeremy Weiss, I motivate doubts that it is thephenomenologyof affective experiences that explains their normative or rational significance. I outline an alternative approach that centralises thefunctionof such experiences.
Needles Don't Agree with Me, Pills Don't Agree with Me: Experiences of Contraceptive Use among Pakhtun Women in Pakistan
Authors: Ataullahjan Anushka , Vallianatos Helen , Mumtaz Zubia 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe sixth most populous country, Pakistan's modern contraceptive use rate is just 25%. Of the multiple reasons for avoiding contraceptives, women cite side effects as a significant deterrent to contraceptive uptake. Efforts to understand these side effects are limited by overreliance on the biomedical framework, which typically dismisses some of women's negative experiences and explanatory models as misperceptions. Drawing on 13 months of ethnographic data from a village in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, our study sought to provide an emic description of contraceptive side effects. Respondents’ described what we call “spiritual” and “somatic” side effects. While the latter included experiences such as irregular bleeding and leg pain, spiritual side effects had more severe implications ranging from job loss, birth defects, to child death. In a context of a firm belief that family planning was a sin, contraceptives were believed to negatively impact spiritual well‐being and invite God's wrath. Our data suggest these perceptions and experiences played a crucial role in contraceptive decision‐making. The spiritual and somatic experiences of contraceptive use described by respondents also demonstrate the importance of broadening dominant biomedical approaches to holistically understand contraceptive side effects and usage.
T cell immunobiology and cytokine storm of COVID‐19
Authors: Luo Xiao‐Hua , Zhu Yan , Mao Jian , Du Rui‐Chan 
Published: October 2020

Abstract2019 coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) presents as a newly recognized pneumonia and could rapidly progress into acute respiratory distress syndrome which has brought about a global pandemic. Until now, no curative therapy has been strongly recommended for COVID‐19 except for personalized supportive care. T cells and virus‐specific T cells are essential to protect against virus infection, including COVID‐19. Delayed immune reconstitution (IR) and cytokine storm (CS) remain serious obstacles for the cure of COVID‐19. Most COVID‐19 patients, especially among elderly patients, had marked lymphopenia and increased neutrophils, but T cell counts in severe COVID‐19 patients surviving the disease gradually restored later. Elevated pro‐inflammatory cytokines, particularly IL‐6, IL‐10, IL‐2 and IL‐17, and exhausted T cells are found in peripheral blood and the lungs. It suggests that Thymosin α1 and adoptive COVID‐19‐specific T cells could improve IR, while convalescent plasma, IL‐6 blockade, mesenchymal stem cells and corticosteroids could suppress CS. More clinical studies in this field worldwide are urgently warranted to pave the way for therapy of COVID‐19 in the future.