bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of stress‐related peptides on chloride secretion in the mouse proximal colon
Authors: Liu Sumei , Karo Aaron , Agterberg Sita , Hua Howard , Bhargava Aditi 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundStress increases intestinal secretion and exacerbates symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Peripherally derived corticotropin‐releasing factor (CRF) is known to mediate stress‐induced intestinal secretion, presumably by activation of CRF1 receptors in the gut. The present study aimed to ascertain the role of CRF2 activation in intestinal secretion by three other members of CRF peptide family, urocortin (UCN) 1–3, in wild type (WT) and CRF2 knockout (Crhr2−/−) mice.MethodsMucosal/submucosal preparations from proximal colon of WT and Crhr2−/− mice of both sexes were mounted in Ussing chambers for measurement of short‐circuit current (Isc) as an indicator of ion secretion.Key ResultsMale mice demonstrated a significantly higher baseline Isc than female in both WT and Crhr2−/− genotypes. CRF and UCN1‐3 (1 μM) caused greater increases in colonic Isc (ΔIsc) in male than female. Colonic Isc response to the selective CRF1 agonist, stressin1, was similar in both sexes. In male mice, the selective CRF2 agonists (UCN2 and UCN3) caused significantly greater ΔIsc than CRF and stressin1. UCN2‐ and UCN3‐evoked ΔISC was significantly reduced in preparations pretreated with the selective CRF2 antagonist antisauvagine‐30 and in Crhr2−/− mice. The prosecretory effects of urocortins were due to increases in Cl− secretion and involved enteric neurons and mast cells.Conclusions and InferenceThe findings revealed sex differences in baseline colonic secretion and responses to stress‐related peptides. CRF2 receptors play a more prominent role in colonic secretion in male mice. The greater baseline secretion and responses to UCNs may contribute to the higher prevalence of diarrhea‐predominant IBS in males.
Mucosal pathogenesis in gastro‐esophageal reflux disease
Authors: Ustaoglu Ahsen , Nguyen Anh , Spechler Stuart , Sifrim Daniel , Souza Rhonda , Woodland Philip 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundDespite gastro‐esophageal reflux disease affecting up to 20% of Western populations, relatively little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying its most troublesome symptom: heartburn. Recent findings have unveiled the role of components of the esophageal mucosa in the pathogenesis of GERD including sensory nociceptive nerves and inflammatory mediators. Erosive esophagitis was long believed to develop as a result of acid injury at the esophageal lumen, but novel concepts suggest the generation of reflux‐induced esophageal injury as a result of cytokine‐mediated inflammation. Moreover, the localization and characterization of mucosal afferent nerves vary between GERD phenotypes and could explain the heterogeneity of symptom perception between patients who experience similar levels of acid reflux.PurposeThe purpose of this review is to consider the crosstalk of different factors of the esophageal mucosa in the pathogenesis of GERD, with a particular focus on mucosal innervation and molecular basis of acid‐induced cytokine response. We discuss the current understanding of the mucosal response to acid injury, the nociceptive role of acid‐sensitive receptors expressed in the esophageal mucosa, and the role of esophageal epithelial cells in initiating the onset of erosive esophagitis.
Remove or retain: ecosystem effects of woody encroachment and removal are linked to plant structural and functional traits
Authors: Eldridge David J. , Ding Jingyi 
Published: October 2020

Summary

The impacts of woody encroachment and removal on ecosystems are highly variable and are thought to be related to the traits of the individual woody species. Decisions on whether to remove or to retain woody plants are hampered by a lack of empirical evidence of the relationship between woody traits and the ecosystem consequences of their removal or retention.

We used a global meta‐analysis of 149 ecosystem attributes from 172 woody species to evaluate the relative effects of woody plant traits and abiotic environmental variables on the ecosystem consequences of woody encroachment and removal.

The ecosystem consequences were closely related to woody plant traits. For example, encroachment of plants characterized by high structural traits (e.g. tall, mixed tap and fibrous roots) reduced ecosystem composition, while removal of plants characterized by high functional traits (e.g. nitrogen fixing, deciduous) reduced ecosystem function. Structural and functional traits of woody plants mainly regulated soil stability during woody encroachment and herbaceous cover after woody removal. Conversely, environmental conditions mainly affected herbaceous cover under encroachment and soil stability under removal scenarios.

We demonstrate that the ecosystem consequences of encroachment and removal are closely linked to the structural and functional traits of the target woody species. Furthermore, biotic (woody plant traits) and abiotic (climate, soils) factors have different impacts on regulating trade‐offs between ecosystem responses under these two management scenarios. Our study provides empirical support for management decisions on whether to retain or remove different woody taxa under various environments across the globe.
The effect of simultaneous dual‐focus integration on the global flash multifocal electroretinogram in the human eye
Authors: Fung Mavis M Y , Choi Kai Yip , Chan Henry H L 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the effect of simultaneous dual‐focus (DF) on retinal activities measured by global flash multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG).MethodsThirty adults were recruited for mfERG measurement under three conditions: in‐focus (i.e., no defocus), +2.50 D DF and +7.50 D DF, administered using single vision contact lenses and DF lenses. The direct component (DC) and the induced component (IC) of the mfERG were pooled into central macular (0–8°), para‐macular (8–18°) and peri‐macular (18–30°) regions, and then compared across the three conditions using two‐way, repeated measures ANOVA.ResultsSimultaneous DF had a significant effect on the IC amplitude, which was significantly stronger under +7.50 D DF (p < 0.01) than for the in‐focus condition, which was mostly derived from the central and para‐macular regions. No significant effect was observed for the +2.50 D DF condition.ConclusionUnder the effect of relatively strong simultaneous DF integration, the retina showed an enhanced retinal response, which originated from the inner retina. Compared with the peri‐macular region, central and para‐macular responses appeared to be enhanced.
LBBAP in patients with normal intrinsic QRS duration: Electrical and mechanical characteristics
Authors: Wang Shaoxian , Lan Rongfang , Zhang Ning , Zheng Jia , Gao Yuan , Bai Jian , Wu Xiang , Xu Xinyue , Wang Tianqi , Xu Wei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundLeft bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) is an innovative pacing technology, which needs further study.MethodsSeventy LBBAP patients with intrinsic QRS duration (QRSd) less than 120 ms were consecutively enrolled in our center. According to whether the left bundle branch potential (LBBp) was recorded or not, the patients were divided into the potential positive group (LBBAP+) and the potential negative group (LBBAP−). Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters were used to evaluate electrical and mechanical characteristics. Lead parameters and complications were followed‐up.ResultsThere were 52 patients in LBBAP+ and 18 patients in LBBAP−. The QRSd and the left ventricular activation time (LVAT) were wider after LBBAP. QRSd showed no significant difference between LBBAP+ and LBBAP−. LVAT was significantly shorter in LBBAP+ than in LBBAP−. Frontal QRS axis shifted leftward and the V1 morphologies changed after LBBAP. QRS axis and V1 morphologies showed no significant differences between two groups. Paced R‐wave transition moved forward compared with intrinsic R‐wave transition in both groups. Peak systolic strain of left ventricle (LVPSS) increased, and peak systolic dispersion of left ventricle (LVPSD) did not change significantly after LBBAP. Systolic and diastolic function as well as mechanical synchronism had no significant differences between two groups. LBBAP had great pacing parameters.ConclusionLBBAP changes electrical and mechanical characteristics and has good safety in patients with normal intrinsic QRSd. LBBAP+ and LBBAP− show no significant differences in mechanical synchronization and interventricular electrical synchronization. The LBBAP+ shows better left ventricular electrical synchronicity.
Challenges and Opportunities Facing Pediatric Anesthesia Providers in Low‐ and Middle‐Income Countries (LMICs), India
Authors: Dave Nandini , Varghese Elsa , Jacob Rebecca 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIndia is a vast, populous country with a huge variability in the standards of health care. While the cities have state of the art hospitals with trained doctors, rural areas where most of the population lives, have a severe shortage of resources. Children form nearly 40% of India's population, and there is a great demand for pediatric surgical and anesthesia services. Specialty training in pediatric anesthesia, however, is still in its infancy, with the majority of children being administered anesthesia by general anesthesiologists. This review discusses the reasons behind India's ailing healthcare system and the shortage of qualified pediatric anesthesiologists. Anesthesiologists face multiple challenges in their daily work including inadequate infrastructure, paucity of medications and working equipment, nonavailability of trained help, and poor remuneration. All these factors contribute to work‐related stress. On the other hand, the dearth of anesthesiologists offers ample opportunities to serve the underserved, improve the safety and quality of perioperative care in the rural areas, and improve the self‐image of the anesthesiologist. A paucity of data regarding anesthesia, surgery, and work‐related issues makes writing an article like this very difficult. However, it highlights the need for professional bodies to take note of these facts and play an active role in encouraging documentation, data collection, and improving standards of teaching and practice.
Dexmedetomidine leading to profound bradycardia in a pediatric liver transplant recipient
Authors: Banc‐Husu Anna M. , Badke Colleen M. , Sanchez‐Pinto Lazaro Nelson , Alonso Estella M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDexmedetomidine, an α2‐agonist, is used in the PICU for its sedative properties as it minimally affects respiratory status. However, hemodynamic instability is one of its known side effects. There is limited published experience with its use in pediatric liver transplant. We present a case of a 9‐month‐old infant who received a deceased donor liver transplantation for biliary atresia and received an IV dexmedetomidine infusion for sedation starting at 20 hours post‐operatively. The patient received an IV bolus of 0.08 mcg/kg followed by an increase to 1 mcg/kg/hour. She was also receiving a fentanyl infusion for sedation at the time of dexmedetomidine initiation. Approximately 3 hours after initiation, she developed bradycardia as low as 30 beats‐per‐minute with an associated sinus pause of 7 seconds. She was given chest compressions by the bedside nurse briefly before arousing and becoming agitated. Evaluation of other etiologies for the patient's bradycardia was unrevealing. Thus, bradycardia was attributed to dexmedetomidine therapy which was discontinued without recurrence. Hemodynamic instability, specifically bradycardia, is known to occur with dexmedetomidine administration. As this medication is primarily metabolized by the liver, its use immediately after transplantation, when liver function is still recovering, may be associated with an increased risk of side effects. Understanding risk factors for bradycardia and hemodynamic instability early after liver transplantation, particularly with dexmedetomidine, is critical to allow clinicians to identify the patients for higher risk for dexmedetomidine side effects.
A brief positive psychological intervention prior to a potentially stressful task facilitates more challenge‐like cardiovascular reactivity in high trait anxious individuals
Authors: Schwerdtfeger Andreas R. , Rominger Christian , Weber Bernhard , Aluani Isabella 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWhen confronted with stress, anxious individuals tend to evaluate the demands of an upcoming encounter as higher than the available resources, thus, indicating threat evaluations. Conversely, evaluating available resources as higher than the demands signals challenge. Both types of evaluations have been related to specific cardiovascular response patterns with higher cardiac output relative to peripheral resistance indicating challenge and higher peripheral resistance relative to cardiac output signaling threat. The aim of this research was to evaluate whether a brief positive psychological exercise (best possible selves intervention) prior to a potentially stress‐evoking task shifted the cardiovascular profile in trait anxious individuals from a threat to a challenge type. We randomly assigned 74 participants to either a best possible selves or a control exercise prior to performing a sing a song stress task and assessed their level of trait anxiety. Cardiac output (CO) and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were continuously recorded through baseline, preparation, stress task, and recovery, respectively, as well as self‐reported affect. Trait anxiety was related to higher CO in the best possible selves group and lower CO in the control group. While high trait anxious individuals in the control group showed increasing TPR reactivity, they exhibited a nonsignificant change in the best possible selves group. Moreover, in the latter group a stress‐related decrease in positive affect in high trait anxious participants was prevented. Findings suggest that concentrating on strengths and positive assets prior to a potentially stressful encounter could trigger a more adaptive coping in trait anxious individuals.
Clinical utility of ventilatory and gas exchange evaluation during low‐intensity exercise for risk stratification and prognostication in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Sayegh Ana Luiza C. , Silva Bruno Moreira , Ferreira Eloara V.M. , Ramos Roberta P. , Fisher James P. , Nery Luiz E. , Ota‐Arakaki Jaquelina S. , Oliveira Rudolf K.F. 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTBackground and objectivePeak oxygen consumption (pVO2), determined from CPET, provides a valuable indication of PAH severity and patient prognosis. However, CPET is often contraindicated in severe PAH and frequently terminated prior to achievement of a sufficient exercise effort. We sought to determine whether in PAH low‐intensity [i.e. freewheeling exercise (FW)] exercise reveals abnormal VE/VCO2 and PETCO2 responses that are associated with pVO2 and serve as indices of PAH risk stratification and mortality.MethodsRetrospective analysis of CPET from 97 PAH patients and 20 age‐matched controls was undertaken. FW VE/VCO2 and PETCO2 were correlated with pVO2% age‐predicted. Prognostication analysis was conducted using pVO2 > 65% age‐predicted, as known to represent a low mortality risk. Primary outcome was mortality from any cause.ResultsFW PETCO2 was correlated with pVO2 (P < 0.0001; r = 0.52), while FW VE/VCO2 was not (P = 0.13; r = −0.16). ROC curve analyses showed that FW PETCO2 (AUC = 0.659), but not FW VE/VCO2 (AUC = 0.587), provided predictive information identifying pVO2 > 65% age‐predicted (best cut‐off value of 28 mm Hg). By Cox analysis, FW PETCO2 < 28 mm Hg remained a predictor of mortality after adjusting for age and PAH aetiology (HR: 2.360, 95% CI: 1.144–4.866, P = 0.020).ConclusionLow PETCO2 during FW is associated with reduced pVO2 in PAH and provides predictive information for PAH risk stratification and prognostication.
Child health impact of the Nepalese civil war
Authors: Ko Hansoo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study provides the first evidence that the Nepalese civil war (1996–2006) negatively affected the health of children by exploiting spatial and temporal variation in exposure to war‐related conflicts. Samples (14,447 children aged 5 years or younger) are extracted from the 1996, 2001, 2006 Demographic and Health Surveys. The results from mother fixed effects regression show that exposure has modest but significantly negative impacts on height of children under age 5 on the intensive margin. Conditional on average months of exposure to war violence of the study sample, the height of children decreases by 0.08 standard deviation. In particular, this negative health impact is statistically significant and similar across the whole height distribution.
Sedimentology and isotope geochemistry of transitional evaporitic environments within arid continental settings: From erg to saline lakes
Authors: Pettigrew Ross P. , Priddy Charlotte , Clarke Stuart M. , Warke Matthew R. , Stüeken Eva E. , Claire Mark W. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractArid continental basins typically contain a spectrum of coeval environments that coexist and interact from proximal to distal. Within the distal portion, aeolian ergs often border playa, or perennial, desert lakes, fed by fluvial incursions or elevated groundwaters. Evaporites are common features in these dryland, siliciclastic dominant settings. However, sedimentary controls upon evaporite deposition are not widely understood, especially within transitional zones between coeval clastic environments that are dominantly controlled by larger scale allocyclic processes, such as climate. The sulphur (δ34S) and oxygen (δ18O, Δ17O) isotope systematics of evaporites can reveal cryptic aspects of sedimentary cycling and sulphate sources in dryland settings. However, due to the lack of sedimentological understanding of evaporitic systems, isotopic data can be easily misinterpreted. This work presents detailed sedimentological and petrographic observations, coupled with δ34S, δ18O and Δ17O data, for the early Permian Cedar Mesa Sandstone Formation (western USA). Depositional models for mixed evaporitic/clastic sedimentation, which occurs either in erg‐marginal or lacustrine‐marginal settings, are presented to detail the sedimentary interactions present in terms of climate variations that control them. Sedimentological and petrographical analysis of the evaporites within the Cedar Mesa Sandstone Formation reveal a continental depositional environment and two end member depositional models have been developed: erg‐margin and lake‐margin. The δ34S values of gypsum deposits within the Cedar Mesa Sandstone Formation are consistent with late Carboniferous to early Permian marine settings. However, a marine interpretation is inconsistent with sedimentological and petrographic evidence. Consequently, δ34S, δ18O and Δ17O values are probably recycled and do not reflect ocean‐atmosphere values at the time of evaporite precipitation. They are most likely derived from the weathering of older marine evaporites in the hinterland. Thus, the results demonstrate the need for a combination of both sedimentological and geochemical analysis of evaporitic systems to better understand their depositional setting and conditions.
Extending a Hand in Perilous Times: Beneficial Immigration Policy in the Fifty States, 2005–2012
Authors: Sanchez Lisa M. , Williams Isabel 
Published: October 2020

ObjectiveThe passage of Arizona SB 1070 in 2010 focused national attention on punitive, state‐level immigration legislation. Largely ignored is the increasing number of beneficial, state‐level policies passed duringthe sameperiod. We seek to understand whether beneficial immigration policy making amounts to reversing the factors underlying punitive immigration policy making, as is implied by current literature.MethodsWe utilize data from the National Conference of State Legislatures from 2005 to 2012 to uncover the puzzling enactment of beneficial state immigration laws during a period of high anti‐immigrant sentiment and budgetary declines in the 50 states.ResultsBeneficial immigration policy making is not a reversal of the process that underlines punitive immigration policy making and is particularly responsive to the need generated by immigrant population size, regardless of the documentation status of the beneficiary.ConclusionThe passage of beneficial immigration policies requires further analysis, as it is not as simple as reversing the process that produces punitive immigration policies.
Developmental acclimation of the thylakoid proteome to light intensity in Arabidopsis
Authors: Flannery Sarah E. , Hepworth Christopher , Wood William H. J. , Pastorelli Federica , Hunter Christopher N. , Dickman Mark J. , Jackson Philip J. , Johnson Matthew P. 
Published: October 2020

SummaryPhotosynthetic acclimation, the ability to adjust the composition of the thylakoid membrane to optimise the efficiency of electron transfer to the prevailing light conditions, is crucial to plant fitness in the field. While much is known about photosynthetic acclimation in Arabidopsis, to date there has been no study that combines both quantitative label‐free proteomics and photosynthetic analysis by gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and P700 absorption spectroscopy. Using these methods we investigated how the levels of 402 thylakoid proteins, including many regulatory proteins not previously quantified, varied upon long‐term (weeks) acclimation of Arabidopsis to low (LL), moderate (ML) and high (HL) growth light intensity and correlated these with key photosynthetic parameters. We show that changes in the relative abundance of cytb6f, ATP synthase, FNR2, TIC62 and PGR6 positively correlate with changes in estimated PSII electron transfer rate and CO2 assimilation. Improved photosynthetic capacity in HL grown plants is paralleled by increased cyclic electron transport, which positively correlated with NDH, PGRL1, FNR1, FNR2 and TIC62, although not PGR5 abundance. The photoprotective acclimation strategy was also contrasting, with LL plants favouring slowly reversible non‐photochemical quenching (qI), which positively correlated with LCNP, while HL plants favoured rapidly reversible quenching (qE), which positively correlated with PSBS. The long‐term adjustment of thylakoid membrane grana diameter positively correlated with LHCII levels, while grana stacking negatively correlated with CURT1 and RIQ protein abundance. The data provide insights into how Arabidopsis tunes photosynthetic electron transfer and its regulation during developmental acclimation to light intensity.