bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical fitness and white matter microstructure in children with overweight or obesity: the ActiveBrains project
Authors: Rodriguez-Ayllon M. , Esteban-Cornejo I. , Verdejo-Román J. , Muetzel R. L. , Mora-Gonzalez J. , Cadenas-Sanchez C. , Plaza-Florido A. , Molina-Garcia P. , Kramer A. F. , Catena A. , Ortega F. B. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractRecent studies investigated the association of cardiorespiratory fitness with white matter microstructure in children, yet little work has explored to what extent other components of physical fitness (i.e., muscular or motor fitness) are associated with white matter microstructure. Indeed, this association has not been previously explored in children with overweight/obesity who present a different white matter development. Therefore, we aimed to examine associations between physical fitness components and white matter microstructure in children with overweight/obesity. In total, 104 (10.04 ± 1.15 years old; 43 girls) children were included in this cross-sectional study. Physical fitness was assessed using the ALPHA-fitness test battery. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity were derived from diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). No association was found between physical fitness and global DTI metrics (all P > 0.082). Within individual tracts, all associations became non-significant when analyses were adjusted for multiple comparisons. Using the voxel-wise approach, we identified a small cluster in the left lateral frontal lobe where children with greater upper-body muscular fitness showed higher FA (PFWE-corrected = 0.042). Although our results cannot conclude physical fitness is related to white matter microstructure in children with overweight/obesity; those findings indicate that the association of muscular fitness with white matter microstructure might be more focal on frontal areas of the brain, as opposed to global differences.
Functional characterization of three Azotobacter chroococcum alginate-modifying enzymes related to the Azotobacter vinelandii AlgE mannuronan C-5-epimerase family
Authors: Gawin Agnieszka , Tietze Lisa , Aarstad Olav A. , Aachmann Finn L. , Brautaset Trygve , Ertesvåg Helga 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBacterial alginate initially consists of 1–4-linked β-D-mannuronic acid residues (M) which can be later epimerized to α-L-guluronic acid (G). The family of AlgE mannuronan C-5-epimerases from Azotobacter vinelandii has been extensively studied, and three genes putatively encoding AlgE-type epimerases have recently been identified in the genome of Azotobacter chroococcum. The three A. chroococcum genes, here designated AcalgE1, AcalgE2 and AcalgE3, were recombinantly expressed in Escherichia coli and the gene products were partially purified. The catalytic activities of the enzymes were stimulated by the addition of calcium ions in vitro. AcAlgE1 displayed epimerase activity and was able to introduce long G-blocks in the alginate substrate, preferentially by attacking M residues next to pre-existing G residues. AcAlgE2 and AcAlgE3 were found to display lyase activities with a substrate preference toward M-alginate. AcAlgE2 solely accepted M residues in the positions − 1 and + 2 relative to the cleavage site, while AcAlgE3 could accept either M or G residues in these two positions. Both AcAlgE2 and AcAlgE3 were bifunctional and could also catalyze epimerization of M to G. Together, we demonstrate that A. chroococcum encodes three different AlgE-like alginate-modifying enzymes and the biotechnological and biological impact of these findings are discussed.
Altered tropical seascapes influence patterns of fish assemblage and ecological functions in the Western Indian Ocean
Authors: Chacin D. H. , Stallings C. D. , Eggertsen M. , Åkerlund C. , Halling C. , Berkström C. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe arrangement and composition of habitats within landscapes and fine-scale habitat characteristics influence community structure and ecological processes. These aspects can be altered by anthropogenic activities, thus influencing associated assemblages. Farming of macroalgae is a common practice in tropical settings and alters the natural composition of seascapes by introducing monoculture patches. The farmed macroalgae may also differ in palatability compared to naturally-occurring macroalgae, influencing herbivory. This study assessed how these farms may differ from natural macroalgal beds in terms of habitat heterogeneity, fish assemblages, and herbivory. We surveyed fish assemblages and deployed macroalgal assays within macroalgal beds, farms and at varying distances from these habitats near Mafia Island, Tanzania. Fish composition and herbivory differed between the habitats likely due to different macrophyte species richness, underlying hard substrate in natural macroalgal beds, and high abundance of browsers nearby the farms. Additionally, fish assemblage patterns and herbivory were not consistent across the seascapes and varied with distance from the focal habitats possibly due to the presence of other habitats. The results suggest alterations of seascapes by farming practices may have consequences on fish assemblages and the ecological functions performed, thus positioning of farms should be carefully considered in management and conservation plans.
Context-aware experience sampling reveals the scale of variation in affective experience
Authors: Hoemann Katie , Khan Zulqarnain , Feldman Mallory J. , Nielson Catie , Devlin Madeleine , Dy Jennifer , Barrett Lisa Feldman , Wormwood Jolie B. , Quigley Karen S. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEmotion research typically searches for consistency and specificity in physiological activity across instances of an emotion category, such as anger or fear, yet studies to date have observed more variation than expected. In the present study, we adopt an alternative approach, searching inductively for structure within variation, both within and across participants. Following a novel, physiologically-triggered experience sampling procedure, participants’ self-reports and peripheral physiological activity were recorded when substantial changes in cardiac activity occurred in the absence of movement. Unsupervised clustering analyses revealed variability in the number and nature of patterns of physiological activity that recurred within individuals, as well as in the affect ratings and emotion labels associated with each pattern. There were also broad patterns that recurred across individuals. These findings support a constructionist account of emotion which, drawing on Darwin, proposes that emotion categories are populations of variable instances tied to situation-specific needs.
Anti-allergic rhinitis activity of α-lipoic acid via balancing Th17/Treg expression and enhancing Nrf2/HO-1 pathway signaling
Authors: Van Nguyen Thi , Piao Chun Hua , Fan Yan Jing , Shin Dong-Uk , Kim Seung Yong , Song Hyeon-Ji , Song Chang Ho , Shin Hee Soon , Chai Ok Hee 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAn ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) mouse model was established to investigate whether α-Lipoic acid (LA) has a protective effect against upper respiratory tract inflammation. BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection and challenged by intranasal application of OVA. Mice were orally administered various doses of LA once daily (2, 10, 50 mg/kg) and dexamethasone (Dex; 2.5 mg/kg) 1 h before OVA challenge. Allergic nasal symptoms, levels of OVA-specific immunoglobulins, cytokines, and transcription factors were measured. Nasal and lung histopathology were evaluated. LA administration significantly alleviated the nasal symptoms such as rubbing and sneezing, markedly reduced both serum OVA-specific IgE and IgG1 levels. The LA treatment group showed markedly up-regulated levels of the Treg cytokine IL-10 and Treg transcription factor Foxp3. In contrast, it showed down-regulated levels of the Th17 cytokine IL-17 and the Th17 transcription factor STAT3, and RORγ. LA greatly enhanced the nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2/heme oxygenase 1 (Nrf2/HO-1) pathway signaling and inhibited the activation of NF-κB/IκB, markedly suppressed the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and chemokine COX-2. The histologic alterations of nasal and lung tissues of AR mice were effectively ameliorated by LA. Based on these results, we suggest that LA could be a potential therapeutic agent in OVA-induced AR by virtue of its role in controlling the Th17/Treg balance and enhancing Nrf2/HO-1 pathway signaling.
A negative covariation between toxoplasmosis and CoVID-19 with alternative interpretations
Authors: Jankowiak Łukasz , Rozsa Lajos , Tryjanowski Piotr , Møller Anders Pape 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCoronaviruses may exert severely negative effects on the mortality and morbidity of birds and mammals including humans and domestic animals. Most recently CoVID-19 has killed about half million people (27th of June, 2020). Susceptibility to this disease appears to differ markedly across different societies but the factors underlying this variability are not known. Given that prevalence of toxoplasmosis in human societies may serve as a proxy for hygiene, and it also exerts both direct and immune-mediated antiviral effects, we hypothesize a negative covariation between toxoplasmosis and measures of the CoVID-19 pandemic across countries. We obtained aged-adjusted toxoplasmosis prevalence of pregnant women from the literature. Since the differences in the CoVID-19 morbidity and mortality may depend on the different timing of the epidemics in each country, we applied the date of first documented CoVID-19 in each country as a proxy of susceptibility, with a statistical control for population size effects. Using these two indices, we show a highly significant negative co-variation between the two pandemics across 86 countries. Then, considering that the wealth of nations often co-varies with the prevalence of diseases, we introduced GDP per capita into our model. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis co-varies negatively, while the date of first CoVID-19 co-varies positively with GDP per capita across countries. Further, to control for the strong spatial autocorrelation among countries, we carried out a Spatial Structure Analyses of the relationships between the date of first CoVID-19, prevalence of toxoplasmosis, and GDP per capita. Results of this analysis did not confirm a direct causal relationship between toxoplasmosis and susceptibility to the CoVID-19 pandemics. As far as an analysis of observational data let us to suggest, it appears that the interaction between CoVID-19 and toxoplasmosis is mediated by GDP per capita and spatial effects. This prompts the question whether the formerly known covariations of CoVID-19 and BCG vaccination or air pollution might have also emerged as spurious indirect effects.
Prospects of GWAS and predictive breeding for European winter wheat’s grain protein content, grain starch content, and grain hardness
Authors: Muqaddasi Quddoos H. , Brassac Jonathan , Ebmeyer Erhard , Kollers Sonja , Korzun Viktor , Argillier Odile , Stiewe Gunther , Plieske Jörg , Ganal Martin W. , Röder Marion S. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGrain quality traits determine the classification of registered wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) varieties. Although environmental factors and crop management practices exert a considerable influence on wheat quality traits, a significant proportion of the variance is attributed to the genetic factors. To identify the underlying genetic factors of wheat quality parameters viz., grain protein content (GPC), grain starch content (GSC), and grain hardness (GH), we evaluated 372 diverse European wheat varieties in replicated field trials in up to eight environments. We observed that all of the investigated traits hold a wide and significant genetic variation, and a significant negative correlation exists between GPC and GSCplusgrain yield. Our association analyses based on 26,694 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphic markers revealed a strong quantitative genetic nature of GPC and GSC with associations on groups 2, 3, and 6 chromosomes. The identification of knownPuroindoline-bgene for GH provided a positive analytic proof for our studies. We report that a locusQGpc.ipk-6Acontrols both GPC and GSC with opposite allelic effects. Based on wheat's reference and pan-genome sequences, the physical characterization of two loci viz.,QGpc.ipk-2BandQGpc.ipk-6Afacilitated the identification of the candidate genes for GPC. Furthermore, by exploiting additive and epistatic interactions of loci, we evaluated the prospects of predictive breeding for the investigated traits that suggested its efficient use in the breeding programs.
Biologically important artificial light at night on the seafloor
Authors: Davies Thomas W. , McKee David , Fishwick James , Tidau Svenja , Smyth Tim 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAccelerating coastal development is increasing the exposure of marine ecosystems to nighttime light pollution, but is anthropogenic light reaching the seafloor in sufficient quantities to have ecological impacts? Using a combination of mapping, and radiative transfer modelling utilising in situ measurements of optical seawater properties, we quantified artificial light exposure at the sea surface, beneath the sea surface, and at the sea floor of an urbanised temperate estuary bordered by an LED lit city. Up to 76% of the three-dimensional seafloor area was exposed to biologically important light pollution. Exposure to green wavelengths was highest, while exposure to red wavelengths was nominal. We conclude that light pollution from coastal cities is likely having deleterious impacts on seafloor ecosystems which provide vital ecosystem services. A comprehensive understanding of these impacts is urgently needed.
Age-dependent regional retinal nerve fibre changes in SIX1/SIX6 polymorphism
Authors: Charng Jason , Simcoe Mark , Sanfilippo Paul G. , Allingham R. Rand , Hewitt Alex W. , Hammond Chris J. , Mackey David A. , Yazar Seyhan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSIX1/SIX6 polymorphism has been shown to be associated with glaucoma. Studies have also found that, in older adults, retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness is significantly thinned with each copy of the risk allele in SIX1/SIX6. However, it is not known whether these genetic variants exert their effects in younger individuals. Comparing a healthy young adult with an older adult cohort (mean age 20 vs 63 years), both of Northern European descent, we found that there was no significant RNFL thinning in each copy of the risk alleles in SIX1/SIX6 in the eyes of younger individuals. The older cohort showed an unexpectedly thicker RNFL in the nasal sector with each copy of the risk allele for both the SIX1 (rs10483727) and SIX6 (rs33912345) variants. In the temporal sector, thinner RNFL was found with each copy of the risk allele in rs33912345 with a decrease trend observed in rs10483727. Our results suggest that SIX1/SIX6 gene variants exert their influence later in adult life.
MYB repressors and MBW activation complex collaborate to fine-tune flower coloration in Freesia hybrida
Authors: Li Yueqing , Shan Xiaotong , Gao Ruifang , Han Taotao , Zhang Jia , Wang Yanan , Kimani Shadrack , Wang Li , Gao Xiang 
Published: July 2020

AbstractFloral anthocyanin has multiple ecological and economic values, its biosynthesis largely depends on the conserved MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) activation complex and MYB repressors hierarchically with the MBW complex. In contrast to eudicots, the MBW regulatory network model has not been addressed in monocots because of the lack of a suitable system, as grass plants exhibit monotonous floral pigmentation patterns. Presently, the MBW regulatory network was investigated in a non-grass monocot plant, Freesia hybrida. FhMYB27 and FhMYBx with different functional manners were confirmed to be anthocyanin related R2R3 and R3 MYB repressors, respectively. Particularly, FhMYBx could obstruct the formation of positive MBW complex by titrating bHLH proteins, whereas FhMYB27 mainly defected the activator complex into suppressor via its repression domains in C-terminus. Furthermore, the hierarchical and feedback regulatory loop was verified, indicating the synergistic and sophisticated regulatory network underlying Freesia anthocyanin biosynthesis was quite similar to that reported in eudicot plants.
Neural Processes Underlying Nonword Rhyme Differentiate Eventual Stuttering Persistence and Recovery
Authors: Hampton Wray Amanda , Spray Gregory 
Published: July 2020

PurposePhonological skills have been associated with developmental stuttering. The current study aimed to determine whether the neural processes underlying phonology, specifically for nonword rhyming, differentiated stuttering persistence and recovery.MethodTwenty-six children who stutter (CWS) and 18 children who do not stutter, aged 5 years, completed an auditory nonword rhyming task. Event-related brain potentials were elicited by prime, rhyming, and nonrhyming targets. CWS were followed longitudinally to determine eventual persistence (n= 14) or recovery (n= 12). This is a retrospective analysis of data acquired when all CWS presented as stuttering.ResultsCWS who eventually recovered and children who do not stutter exhibited the expected rhyme effect, with larger event-related brain potential amplitudes elicited by nonrhyme targets compared to rhyme targets. In contrast, CWS who eventually persisted exhibited a reverse rhyme effect, with larger responses to rhyme than nonrhyme targets.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that CWS who eventually persisted are not receiving the same benefit of phonological priming as CWS who eventually recovered for complex nonword rhyming tasks. These results indicate divergent patterns of phonological processing in young CWS who eventually persisted, especially for difficult tasks with limited semantic context, and suggest that the age of 5 years may be an important developmental period for phonology in CWS.Supplemental Materialhttps://doi.org/10.23641/asha.12682874
Inertagrams for a Variety of Semi-Occluded Vocal Tracts
Authors: Titze Ingo R. 
Published: July 2020

Objective
This investigation addressed the desirable source–airway interaction obtained with vocalization through a semi-occlusion at the mouth. The semi-occlusion was a flow-resistant tube of varying length and diameter.

Method
The methodology was strictly computational. Airway shapes resembling those obtained from magnetic resonance or computed tomography imaging were stylized. Supraglottal and subglottal acoustic impedances were calculated, from which inertagrams were plotted over a frequency range of 0–4000 Hz. The inertagrams predict which harmonics are likely to be strengthened.

Results
The combination of epilaryngeal airway narrowing and lengthening, a pharyngeal expansion, and an oral narrowing behind the tube produce the best overall inertagram for pitch glide exercises. This configuration supports harmonics of the source evenly over a range of 300–4000 Hz.

Conclusions
For clinical applications, theory predicts that the length of a tube or straw does not matter if the inner diameter is on the order of 3 mm or less. For wider open-ended tubes, greater length can compensate for the wider diameter for the beneficial inertance effect, but the desired steady pressure in the airways for vocal fold posturing cannot be maintained.
Lösungsmöglichkeiten nach fehlgeschlagener Osteosynthese nach Tibiakopf- und Patellafraktur
Authors: Gösling Thomas 
Published: July 2020

ZusammenfassungFehlgeschlagene Osteosynthesen am Tibiakopf und der Patella können für den Patienten erhebliche mittelfristige und langfristige Probleme hervorrufen. Verschiedene Faktoren können für das Versagen einer Osteosynthese verantwortlich sein. Die Einschätzung der Situation, der Verbesserungsmöglichkeit und Umsetzung erfordern sehr viel Erfahrung. Bei erfolgreicher Korrektur können langfristig gute Ergebnisse erzielt werden.
Ethische Aspekte internet- und mobilgestützter Interventionen
(IMIs) bei Suchtstörungen
Authors: Rubeis Giovanni , Primc Nadia 
Published: July 2020

Zusammenfassung
Ziel der Studie Internet- und mobilgestützte Interventionen
(IMIs) werden häufig bei Suchtstörungen eingesetzt. Für
die Wirksamkeit von IMIs liegt eine umfangreiche Evidenz vor. Hinsichtlich der
spezifischen ethischen Aspekte, die sich aus dem Einsatz von IMIs bei
Suchtstörungen ergeben, fehlt es bislang an Forschung. Mit unserem
Beitrag leisten wir die erste eingehende ethische Analyse von IMIs in der
Suchttherapie. Dabei orientieren wir uns an normativen Aspekten, die spezifisch
für die Behandlung von Suchtstörungen sind. Dazu gehören
die besondere Stigmatisierung von Suchtkranken, die Zuschreibung von Schuld und
Eigenverantwortung, die mangelnde Akzeptanz des Krankheitskonzepts Sucht sowie
die daraus resultierende Ablehnung und Abwertung von Betroffenen.
Methode Als methodisches Instrument verwenden wir den 3 ACES-Ansatz von
Thornicroft und Tansella. Dieses Instrument erlaubt eine umfassende ethische
Analyse des Einsatzes von IMIs im konkreten Einzelfall sowie der Implementierung
von IMIs im Versorgungssystem.
Ergebnisse Unsere Analyse zeigt, dass IMIs in der Suchttherapie das
Potential haben, ein Empowerment von PatientInnen zu leisten, die
Stigmatisierung zu umgehen und einen niedrigschwelligen Zugang zu
Versorgungsleistungen zu ermöglichen. Kritisch zu sehen sind Aspekte der
Passung von Anwendungen auf die Bedürfnisse einzelner Patientengruppen
und individueller PatientInnen, der therapeutischen Verantwortung, des
Datenschutzes, der Datensicherheit und Privatheit sowie der Vernetzung
unterschiedlicher Anbieter von Versorgungsleistungen.
Schlussfolgerung Eine weitere Implementierung von IMIs in der
Suchttherapie ist nur dann wünschenswert, wenn verbindliche
Qualitätsstandards geschaffen und die patientenzentrierte Anwendung
unter Berücksichtigung individueller Patientencharakteristika
sichergestellt wird.
Implications of a Genetic Etiology for Renal Transplant: Early-Onset Alport Syndrome with a Novel Mutation
Authors: Singh Ravi Kumar , Arora Veronica , Tiwari Vaibhav , Gupta Deepti , Gupta Anurag , Puri Ratna Dua 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAlport's syndrome (AS) is a rare disorder characterized by a triad of deafness, progressive renal dysfunction, and ocular abnormalities. We presented a patient of early onset AS with a novel frameshift pathogenic variant in the COL4A5 gene and discuss the utility of genetic testing in the family as well as for the transplant recipient. The patient was a 17-year-old adolescent male with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and hearing loss. In the setting of ESRD, since hearing loss and anterior lenticonus was detected on an ophthalmologic exam, AS was suspected. On genetic testing, a novel hemizygous frameshift variant was identified in the COL4A5 gene (c.1392del (p.Asp464GlufsTer10)), which was also segregated in the family. In this report, we discussed the early severe presentation, typical ocular findings, genotype–phenotype correlation, and implications of genetic testing for renal transplant. We also explored the challenges of genetic testing in developing countries and the potential of pharmacogenomics.