bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A brain‐infecting parasite impacts host metabolism both during exposure and after infection is established
Authors: Nadler Lauren E. , Bengston Erik , Eliason Erika J. , Hassibi Cameron , Helland‐Riise Siri H. , Johansen Ida B. , Kwan Garfield T. , Tresguerres Martin , Turner Andrew V. , Weinersmith Kelly L. , Øverli Øyvind , Hechinger Ryan F. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Metabolic costs associated with parasites should not be limited to established infections. Even during initial exposure to questing and attacking parasites, hosts can enact behavioural and physiological responses that could also incur metabolic costs. However, few studies have measured these costs directly. Hence, little is known about metabolic costs arising from parasite exposure.

Furthermore, no one has yet measured whether and how previous infection history modulates metabolic responses to parasite exposure.

Here, using the California killifish Fundulus parvipinnis and its brain‐infecting parasite Euhaplorchis californiensis, we quantified how killifish metabolism, behaviour and osmoregulatory phenotype changed upon acute exposure to parasite infectious stages (i.e. cercariae), and with long‐term infection.

Exposure to cercariae caused both naïve and long‐term infected killifish to acutely increase their metabolic rate and activity, indicating detection and response to parasite infectious stages. Additionally, these metabolic and behavioural effects were moderately stronger in long‐term infected hosts than naïve killifish, suggesting that hosts may develop learned behavioural responses, nociceptor sensitization and/or acute immune mechanisms to limit new infections.

Although established infection altered the metabolic response to parasite exposure, established infection did not alter standard metabolic rate, routine metabolic rate, maximum metabolic rate, aerobic scope or citrate synthase enzyme activity.

Unexpectedly, established infection reduced lactate dehydrogenase enzyme activity in killifish brains and relative Na+/K+‐ATPase abundance in gills, suggesting novel mechanisms by which E. californiensis may alter its hosts' behaviour and osmoregulation.

Thus, we provide empirical evidence that parasites can disrupt the metabolism of their host both during parasite exposure and after infection is established. This response may be modulated by previous infection history, with probable knock‐on effects for host performance, brain energy metabolism, osmoregulation and ecology.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Native perennial and non‐native annual grasses shape pathogen community composition and disease severity in a California grassland
Authors: Kendig Amy E. , Spear Erin R. , Daws S. Caroline , Flory S. Luke , Mordecai Erin A. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

The densities of highly competent plant hosts (i.e. those that are susceptible to and successfully transmit a pathogen) may shape pathogen community composition and disease severity, altering disease risk and impacts. Life history and evolutionary history can influence host competence; longer lived species tend to be better defended than shorter lived species and pathogens adapt to infect species with which they have longer evolutionary histories. It is unclear, however, how the densities of species that differ in competence due to life and evolutionary histories affect plant pathogen community composition and disease severity.

We examined foliar fungal pathogens of two host groups in a California grassland: native perennial and non‐native annual grasses. We first characterized pathogen community composition and disease severity of the two host groups to approximate differences in competence. We then used observational and manipulated gradients of native perennial and non‐native annual grass densities to assess the effects of each host group on pathogen community composition and disease severity in 1‐m2 plots.

Native perennial and non‐native annual grasses hosted distinct pathogen communities but shared generalist pathogens. Native perennial grasses experienced 26% higher disease severity than non‐native annuals. Only the observational gradient of native perennial grass density affected disease severity; there were no other significant relationships between host group density and either disease severity or pathogen community composition.

Synthesis. The life and evolutionary histories of grasses likely influence their competence for different pathogen species, exemplified by distinct pathogen communities and differences in disease severity. However, there was limited evidence that the density of either host group affected pathogen community composition or disease severity. Therefore, competence for different pathogens likely shapes pathogen community composition and disease severity but may not interact with host density to alter disease risk and impacts at small scales.
Relative effects of climate and litter traits on decomposition change with time, climate and trait variability
Authors: Canessa Rafaella , van den Brink Liesbeth , Saldaña Alfredo , Rios Rodrigo S. , Hättenschwiler Stephan , Mueller Carsten W. , Prater Isabel , Tielbörger Katja , Bader Maaike Y. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Climate and litter quality drive litter decomposition, but there is currently little consensus on their relative importance, likely because studies differ in the duration, the climatic gradients and variability in litter‐trait values. Understanding these drivers is important because they determine the direct and indirect (via vegetation composition) effects of climate change on decomposition and thereby on carbon and nutrient cycling.

We studied how microclimate (soil moisture and temperature) and litter traits interactively affect litter mass loss, by using a reciprocal litter translocation experiment along a large climatic gradient in Chile. We followed decomposition for 2 years and used 30 plant species with a wide spectrum of functional‐trait values.

Litter traits had a strong impact on litter decomposition across the gradient, while an increase in decomposition with soil moisture was observed only in the wettest climates. Overall, soil moisture increased considerably in importance, relative to trait effects, at later decomposition stages, from c. 15% of the importance of traits after 3 and 6 months to c. 110% after 24 months. Moreover, analysing subsets of the 30 species showed that trait effects on litter decomposition gained in importance when including a greater variation in trait values.

Synthesis. The relative effects of litter traits and climate on decomposition depend on the ranges in climate and litter traits considered and change with time. Our study emphasizes the critical role of representative ranges in climate and functional trait values for understanding the drivers of litter decomposition and for improving predictions of climate‐change effects on this important ecosystem process.
Extravalidation and reproducibility results of a commercial deep learning‐based automatic detection algorithm for pulmonary nodules on chest radiographs at tertiary hospital
Authors: Koo Young Hoon , Shin Kyung Eun , Park Jai Soung , Lee Jae Wook , Byun Seonghwan , Lee Heon 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionTo extra validate and evaluate the reproducibility of a commercial deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) algorithm for pulmonary nodules on chest radiographs (CRs) and to compare its performance with radiologists.MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled 434 CRs (normal to abnormal ratio, 246:188) from 378 patients that visited a tertiary hospital. DCNN performance was compared with two radiology residents and two thoracic radiologists. Abnormality assessment (using the area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC)) and nodule detection (using jackknife alternative free‐response ROC (JAFROC)) were compared among three groups (DCNN only, radiologist without DCNN and radiologist with DCNN). A subset of 56 paired cases, having two CRs taken within a 7‐day period, were assessed for intraobserver reproducibility using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Independent characteristics of pulmonary nodules detected by DCNN were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis.ResultsThe AUROC for abnormality detection for the three groups were 0.87, 0.93 and 0.96, respectively (P < 0.05), whereas the JAFROC analysis of nodule detection was 0.926, 0.929 and 0.964. Reproducibility for the three groups was 0.80, 0.67 and 0.80, which shows an increase in radiologists using DCNN (P < 0.05). Nodules detected by DCNN were more solid, round‐shaped and well marginated, not masked and laterally located (P < 0.05).ConclusionsExtra validation results of DCNN showed high ROC results and there was a significant improvement in the performance when radiologists used DCNN. Reproducibility by DCNN alone showed good agreement, and there was an improvement from moderate to good agreement for radiologists using DCNN.
Exploring Placer Gold Deposits through Integrated Geophysical and Geochemical Techniques at the Confluence of the Indus and Kabul Rivers, NW Pakistan
Authors: ALI Asghar , REHMAN Khaista , TAYYAB Owais , ZAMAN Tahir , JAMEEL Mahad , KHAN Azeem , AHMAD Rafique , IRFAN Muhammad 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAnalysis of the anomalous magnetic mineral intensities and geochemistry for placer gold deposits are presented for those of the Attock area at the confluence of the Indus and Kabul rivers in northwestern Pakistan. Two grids covering an area of 10×18 m2 and 8×10 m2 were analyzed using a G‐858 Cesium Vapor Magnetometer. The anomalous zones obtained were plotted on contour maps, 2D and 3D magnetic intensity maps. Based on the magnetic anomalies, grid‐1 of the study area was sampled at three different anomalous zones for geochemical analysis. These zones contain gold concentrations, ranging from 2.11 ppm to 6.109 ppm with an average of 4.01 ppm. Increase in gold concentration in the subsurface within the anomalous zones indicates that magnetometer survey followed by a geochemical analysis can potentially narrow down the gold‐bearing anomalous zones.
Focused ultrasound extraction (FUSE) for the rapid extraction of DNA from tissue matrices
Authors: Holmes Hal R. , Haywood Morgan , Hutchison Ruby , Zhang Qian , Edsall Connor , Hall Timothy L. , Baisch David , Holliday Jason , Vlaisavljevich Eli 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Rapid DNA extraction is a critical barrier for routine and fieldable genetics tests for applications in conservation, such as illegal trafficking and fraudulent mislabelling.

Here, we develop a non‐thermal focused ultrasound extraction (FUSE) technique that creates a dense cloud of high‐pressure acoustic cavitation bubbles to disintegrate targeted tissues into an acellular debris, resulting in the rapid release of entrapped DNA.

In this work, we demonstrate the proof‐of‐concept of the FUSE technique by obtaining species identifiable sequences and shotgun sequencing reads from DNA extracted from Atlantic salmon Salmo salar tissues.

Having mitigated the key risks for this technique, we hypothesize future developments with this technology can be applied to accelerate and simplify DNA extraction from exceedingly difficult samples with complex tissue matrices (i.e. fibrous tissue and timber samples) in both laboratory and field settings.
Age is an independent predictor of outcome in endometrial cancer patients: An Israeli Gynecology Oncology Group cohort study
Authors: Hag‐Yahia Nasreen , Gemer Ofer , Eitan Ram , Raban Oded , Vaknin Zvi , Levy Tally , Leytes Sofia , Lavie Ofer , Ben‐Arie Alon , Amit Amnon , Namazov Ahmed , Volodarsky Michael , Ben‐Shachar Inbar , Atlas Ilan , Bruchim Ilan , Kadan Yfat , Helpman Limor 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionAdvanced age is considered an adverse factor in endometrial cancers but may be a surrogate for other conditions that impact outcomes. The study objective was to assess the association of age with endometrial cancer features, treatment and prognosis.Material and methodsIn this multicenter cohort study, consecutive women with endometrial cancer treated at 10 Israeli institutions between 2000 and 2014 were accrued in an assimilated database. Postmenopausal women were stratified into age groups with a cut‐off of 80. Clinical, pathological and treatment data were compared using t test or Mann‐Whitney test for continuous variables, and Chi‐square Test or Fisher’s Exact test for categorical variables. Main outcome measures included disease recurrence and disease‐specific and overall survival; these were plotted using the Kaplan‐Meier method and compared using the log‐rank test. The association between age and recurrence and survival, adjusted for other clinical and pathological factors, was assessed using multivariable Cox regression modeling.ResultsA total of 1764 postmenopausal women with endometrial cancer were identified. Adverse pathological features were more prevalent in older women, including high‐risk histologies (35% vs 27%, P = .025), deep myoinvasion (44% vs 29%, P = .001) and lymphovascular involvement (22% vs 15%, P = .024). Surgical staging was performed less frequently among older women (33% vs 56%; P < .001). Chemotherapy was less often prescribed, even for non‐endometrioid histologies (72% vs 45%; P < .001). On multivariable analysis, age remained a significant predictor for recurrence (HR = 1.75, P = .007), death of disease (HR = 1.89, P = .003) and death (HR = 2.4, P < .001).ConclusionsOlder age in women with endometrial cancer is associated with more adverse disease features, limited surgery and adjuvant treatment, and worse outcomes. On multivariable analysis, age remains an independent prognosticator in this population.
Determinants of Carbon Emission Disclosures and UN Sustainable Development Goals: The Case of UK Higher Education Institutions
Authors: Saha Anup Kumar , Al‐Shaer Habiba , Dixon Rob , Demirag Istemi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn recent years, organisational sustainability has become a topical issue in many institutional fields and a number of calls have been made to improve the disclosure of carbon information as part of sustainability efforts. This paper responds to these calls, chiefly examining the determinants of (CED) in the annual reports of UK higher education institutions (HEIs). It also aims to predict the relationship between the extent of CED and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reporting by UK universities. We construct a disclosure index to capture the extent and type of CED in the annual reports of UK HEIs, finding that carbon reduction targets imposed by the Government, environmental audit, and the amount of actual carbon emissions are significant and positively associated with CED. However, we find no relationship between CED and the disclosure of SDGs. We argue that HEIs'. CED can be useful in developing relevant regulatory policies given the targets are carefully set. Our research has important implications for policymakers regarding carbon reduction targets and related non?mandatory guidance, as these can be utilised as an effective mechanism in increasing carbon emission disclosure voluntary CED that are integrated into SDG disclosures.
Recent advances in Bcr‐Abl tyrosine kinase inhibitors for overriding T315I mutation
Authors: Liu Juan , Zhang Yuan , Huang Honglin , Lei Xiaoyong , Tang Guotao , Cao Xuan , Peng Junmei 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBCR‐ABL is a gene produced by the fusion of the bcr gene and the c‐abl proto‐oncogene and is considered to be the main cause of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) production. Therefore, the development of selective Bcr‐Abl kinase inhibitors is an attractive strategy for the treatment of CML. However, in the treatment of CML with a Bcr‐Abl kinase inhibitor, the T315I gatekeeper mutant disrupts the important contact interaction between the inhibitor and the enzyme, resistant to the first‐ and second‐generation drugs currently approved, such as imatinib, bosutinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib. In order to overcome this special resistance, several different strategies have been explored, and many molecules have been studied to effectively inhibit Bcr‐Abl T315I. Some of these molecules are still under development, and some are being studied preclinically, and still others are in clinical research. Herein, this review reports some of the major examples of third‐generation Bcr‐Abl inhibitors against the T315I mutation.
Zinc provides neuroprotection by regulating NLRP3 inflammasome through autophagy and ubiquitination in a spinal contusion injury model
Authors: Lin Jia‐quan , Tian He , Zhao Xiao‐guang , Lin Sen , Li Dao‐yong , Liu Yuan‐ye , Xu Chang , Mei Xi‐fan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAimSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious disabling injury worldwide, and the excessive inflammatory response it causes plays an important role in secondary injury. Regulating the inflammatory response can be a potential therapeutic strategy for improving the prognosis of SCI. Zinc has been demonstrated to have a neuroprotective effect in experimental spinal cord injury models. In this study, we aimed to explore the neuroprotective effect of zinc through the suppression of the NLRP3 inflammasome.MethodAllen's method was used to establish an SCI model in C57BL/6J mice. The Basso Mouse Scale (BMS), Nissl staining were employed to confirm the protective effect of zinc on neuronal survival and functional recovery in vivo. Western blotting (WB), immunofluorescence (IF), and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect the expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy‐related proteins. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to confirm the occurrence of zinc‐induced autophagy. In vitro, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and ATP polarized BV2 cells to a proinflammatory phenotype. 3‐Methyladenine (3‐MA) and bafilomycin A1 (BafA1) were chosen to explore the relationship between the NLRP3 inflammasome and autophagy. A coimmunoprecipitation assay was used to detect the ubiquitination of the NLRP3 protein.ResultsOur data showed that zinc significantly promoted motor function recovery after SCI. In vivo, zinc treatment inhibited the protein expression level of NLRP3 while increasing the level of autophagy. These effects were fully validated by the polarization of BV2 cells to a proinflammatory phenotype. The results showed that when 3‐MA and BafA1 were applied, the promotion of autophagy by zinc was blocked and that the inhibitory effect of zinc on NLRP3 was reversed. Furthermore, co‐IP confirmed that the promotion of autophagy by zinc also activated the protein expression of ubiquitin and suppressed high levels of NLRP3.ConclusionZinc provides neuroprotection by regulating NLRP3 inflammasome through autophagy and ubiquitination after SCI.
Are frailty and patient‐reported outcomes independent in subjects with asthma? A cross‐sectional observational study
Authors: Kusunose Masaaki , Sanda Ryo , Mori Mio , Narita Ayumi , Nishimura Koichi 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionThis study examined the possible associations between frailty and patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) in elderly patients with asthma.MethodsParticipants completed the Kihon Checklist for frailty screening as well as the following tools for measuring generic‐ and disease‐specific health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) and asthma control; the Medical Outcomes Study 36‐item short form (SF‐36), the Hyland Scale (global scale), the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ), the Asthma Control Test (ACT), and the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ).ResultsOf 69 consecutive outpatients with asthma, 38 (55.1%), 21 (30.4%), and 10 (14.5%) were classified as robust, pre‐frail, and frail, respectively. Eight out of 52 patients with asthma in the elderly (AIE) (>65 years old) (15.4%) were considered as being frail. The Kihon Checklist total score was significantly correlated with all the scores obtained from the SF‐36, Hyland Scale, AQLQ, ACT, and ACQ. All these scores were significantly different between groups with and without frailty. From the viewpoint of correlation coefficient, SF‐36 Physical Functioning correlated most strongly with a coefficient of −0.68 (P < .01), and the Hyland Scale score was second (RS = −0.46, P < .01). The correlations between the Kihon Checklist total score and lung function parameters were weak or negative (|RS| < 0.35).DiscussionThere were significant associations between frailty and PROs, particularly generic perception of HRQOL. Since the Kihon Checklist and PROs such as the HRQOL overlap somewhat in their evaluation of the patients’ condition, there might be some similarities in the conceptual frameworks of frailty and quality of life.
The role of climate, foliar stoichiometry and plant diversity on ecosystem carbon balance
Authors: Fernández‐Martínez Marcos , Sardans Jordi , Musavi Talie , Migliavacca Mirco , Iturrate‐Garcia Maitane , Scholes Robert J. , Peñuelas Josep , Janssens Ivan A. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGlobal change is affecting terrestrial carbon (C) balances. The effect of climate on ecosystem C balance has been largely explored, but the roles of other concurrently changing factors, such as diversity and nutrient availability, remain elusive. We used eddy‐covariance C‐flux measurements from 62 ecosystems from which we compiled information on climate, ecosystem type, stand age, species abundance and foliar concentrations of N and P of the main species, to assess their importance in the ecosystem C balance. Climate and productivity were the main determinants of ecosystem C balance and its stability. In P‐rich sites, increasing N was related to increased gross primary production and respiration and vice versa, but reduced net C uptake. Our analyses did not provide evidence for a strong relation between ecosystem diversity and their productivity and stability. Nonetheless, these results suggest that nutrient imbalances and, potentially, diversity loss may alter future global C balance.