bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk of pre‐eclampsia in patients with a maternal genetic predisposition to common medical conditions: a case–control study
Authors: Gray KJ , Kovacheva VP , Mirzakhani H , Bjonnes AC , Almoguera B , Wilson ML , Ingles SA , Lockwood CJ , Hakonarson H , McElrath TF , Murray JC , Norwitz ER , Karumanchi SA , Bateman BT , Keating BJ , Saxena R 
Published: August 2020

ObjectiveTo assess whether women with a genetic predisposition to medical conditions known to increase pre‐eclampsia risk have an increased risk of pre‐eclampsia in pregnancy.DesignCase–control study.Setting and populationPre‐eclampsia cases (n = 498) and controls (n = 1864) in women of European ancestry from five US sites genotyped on a cardiovascular gene‐centric array.MethodsSignificant single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 21 traits in seven disease categories (cardiovascular, inflammatory/autoimmune, insulin resistance, liver, obesity, renal and thrombophilia) with published genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) were used to create a genetic instrument for each trait. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test the association of each continuous scaled genetic instrument with pre‐eclampsia. Odds of pre‐eclampsia were compared across quartiles of the genetic instrument and evaluated for significance.Main outcome measuresGenetic predisposition to medical conditions and relationship with pre‐eclampsia.ResultsAn increasing burden of risk alleles for elevated diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and increased body mass index (BMI) were associated with an increased risk of pre‐eclampsia (DBP, overall OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.01–1.21, P = 0.025; BMI, OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.00–1.20, P = 0.042), whereas alleles associated with elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were protective (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.82–0.97, P = 0.008), driven primarily by pleiotropic effects of variants in the FADS gene region. The effect of DBP genetic loci was even greater in early‐onset pre‐eclampsia cases (at <34 weeks of gestation, OR 1.30, 95% CI 1.08–1.56, P = 0.005). For other traits, there was no evidence of an association.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the underlying genetic architecture of pre‐eclampsia may be shared with other disorders, specifically hypertension and obesity.Tweetable abstractA genetic predisposition to increased diastolic blood pressure and obesity increases the risk of pre‐eclampsia.
Plant and root‐zone water isotopes are difficult to measure, explain, and predict: Some practical recommendations for determining plant water sources
Authors: von Freyberg Jana , Allen Scott T. , Grossiord Charlotte , Dawson Todd E. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

Stable isotope ratios of water (δ18O, δ2H) have long been used to study a core question in plant ecology and ecohydrology: ‘From where do plants take up water?’ Indeed, decades of research has involved sampling potential plant water sources in the subsurface, classifying those sources as distinct endmembers (e.g. deep vs. shallow soil waters) and then evaluating their contributions to a xylem water sample through mixing‐model analysis to identify the depths of root water uptake.

However, more detailed interrogations of the subsurface and plant domains have revealed under‐considered transport and isotopic fractionation phenomena. These now apparent complexities raise new questions and challenge the many past assumptions inherent in endmember‐mixing models that now seem overly simple.

Here, we introduce discussions of these recent insights and provide an overview of isotope effects that occur naturally in the root zone and in the plant, as well as artificially during sample handling. Better accounting for these complexities and their associated uncertainties can lead to more accurate and robust study designs, analytical frameworks and, ultimately, inferences.

Finally, to more robustly characterize plant water sources using δ18O and δ2H, we provide some practical recommendations that aim at maximizing the isotopic contrast between endmembers and/or minimizing potential uncertainties.
RUbble Biodiversity Samplers: 3D‐printed coral models to standardize biodiversity censuses
Authors: Wolfe Kennedy , Mumby Peter J. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

To ensure standardized, quantitative and repeatable methodologies, marine ecologists have engineered a range of artificial units to survey benthic communities with varying designs depending on target taxa, life history stage and habitat. In tropical ecosystems, autonomous units have typically lacked microhabitat complexity (e.g. planar tiles), short‐term efficacy (<1 year deployment) and/or a truly standardized design to sample cryptobenthic diversity.

Coral rubble is characterized by high microhabitat complexity, which is unresolved in sampling efforts. Yet, rubble can support the greatest density and diversity of metazoan taxa.

We engineered RUbble Biodiversity Samplers (RUBS) as a dismantlable lightweight 3D‐printed model to standardize cryptobenthic biodiversity sampling.

We demonstrate the effectiveness of RUBS with preliminary results from short‐term (1–14 days) deployments in Palau, Western Micronesia.

RUbble Biodiversity Samplers uphold the microhabitat complexity inherent in coral rubble (~50% interstitial space) and provide an effective and efficient methodology to sample cryptobenthic fauna, which could be applied in comparative studies.

The RUBS concept provides a platform for the broader implementation of 3D‐printed models in marine ecology to overcome issues of standardization regardless of habitat type.
Semicompact canopy form in mixoploid plants differentiated from the endosperm of Pyrus communis cv. Natanzi: Evidence from flow cytometric analysis and anatomical and morphological traits
Authors: Ameri Atefe , Davarynejad Golamhossein , Moshtaghi Nasrin , Tehranifar Ali 
Published: August 2020

AbstractEndosperm culture can be considered a method to achieve polyploid plants. An experiment was conducted to determine the ploidy levels in leaf cells of plantlets originating from the endosperm and cotyledonary segment explants after organogenesis. The ploidy level of plantlets was determined by flow cytometry. Also, anatomical and morphological traits of the analysed plantlets were compared to identify the phenotypic difference in the plants. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that plantlets with cotyledon origin were diploid, while plantlets differentiated from the endosperm were mixoploid. Mixoploid and diploid plants differed in genome size. Mixoploidʼs leaves developed with a steep angle (27.23 ± 2.62°, n = 3), low leaf area index (0.233 ± 0.002, n = 3) and small cross‐sectional area of the plant canopy (104.2 ± 2.11 cm2, n = 3) at the maturity of the leaf. The higher light interception (39.137 ± 0.047 μmol m−2 s−1, n = 3) was also recorded in mixoploid plants compared to diploid plants. The shorter internode in the upper part of, and longer internode in the lower part of, the plant canopy is consistent with the semicompact phenotype of mixoploid plants. Their stomatal conductance values were higher than those in diploid plants. The light interception showed a strong positive correlation with stomatal conductance. The comparison of stomatal density and length in haploid, diploid and triploid leaves of mixoploid plants has revealed that with the increase in ploidy level, stomatal density decreased because of enlargement in stomatal length. This study offers trees with a semidense canopy and better photosynthesis conditions for semidense orchard construction.
CD8+ T cells are increased in the subventricular zone with physiological and pathological aging
Authors: Moreno‐Valladares Manuel , Moreno‐Cugnon Leire , Silva Tulio Mateo , Garcés Juan Pablo , Saenz‐Antoñanzas Ander , Álvarez‐Satta María , Matheu Ander 
Published: August 2020

AbstractAge‐related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases are associated with less functional neurogenic niches. It has been recently shown that aged subventricular zone (SVZ) suffers an infiltration of T cells, which affects neural stem cell activity in mice. Whether this occurs in human neurogenic niches or to which extent T‐cell infiltration is also taking place in neurodegenerative diseases remains unknown. In this work, we studied the presence of T cells in both human neurogenic niches in young and old individuals. There was a significant increase in the number of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells in the SVZ of elderly individuals, which was not detected in the dentate gyrus. Moreover, we also found CD3+ and CD8+ T cells in the SVZ of individuals with neurodegenerative diseases. However, T‐cell count was similar when compared non‐neuropathological elderly with disease diagnosed patients. Our study reveals the infiltration of T cells in old human brains, particularly in the SVZ under non‐pathological conditions and also in neurodegenerative contexts.
Rapid senescence‐like response after acute injury
Authors: Chu Xiaogang , Wen Jin , Raju Raghavan Pillai 
Published: August 2020

AbstractCellular senescence is a state of irreversible growth arrest. Short‐term programmed senescence such as in embryonic development and slowly progressing senescence as in aging are both well described. However, acute senescence in living organisms is not well understood. We hypothesized that hemorrhagic shock injury (HI) caused by whole body hypoxia and nutrient deprivation, resulting in organ dysfunction due to severe blood loss, could lead to acute senescence in vivo. Our experiments, for the first time, demonstrate a rapidly emerged, senolytics‐responsive, senescence‐like response in the rat liver in less than five hr following hemorrhagic shock. We conclude that the senescence, or pseudosenescence, observed is necessary to maintain tissue homeostasis following the injury.
Corporate governance and carbon performance: role of carbon strategy and awareness of climate risk
Authors: Luo Le , Tang Qingliang 
Published: August 2020

AbstractThis study investigates whether corporate governance (CG) leads to improved corporate social responsibility (CSR) in relation to carbon performance. We draw on multiple theoretical lenses for CSR and use a sample of the top 350 listed UK companies. Our results show that overall CG quality has a discernible influence on carbon performance, based on outcome‐based carbon emissions. Our empirical findings and inferences still hold with an action‐based performance measure as well. In addition, we find that the relationship between CG and carbon performance is significantly moderated by carbon strategy and managerial awareness of carbon risk. Our evidence supports the claim that reforms of CG in the UK have promoted CSR behaviour in carbon performance, and this insight is not documented elsewhere.
Decreased oxytocin plasma levels and oxytocin receptor expression in borderline personality disorder
Authors: Carrasco J. L. , Buenache E. , MacDowell K. S. , De la Vega I. , López‐Villatoro J. M. , Moreno B. , Díaz‐Marsá M. , Leza J. C. 
Published: August 2020

IntroductionBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is characterized by intense affective reactions with underlying social and interpersonal cognitive deficits. Oxytocin has largely been associated with both stress regulation and social cognition in psychiatric patients and in non‐clinical populations in previous studies. Finally, abnormal oxytocin levels have been preliminary reported in BPD patients.Methods53 patients with moderate‐severe BPD and 31 healthy control subjects were investigated for plasma levels of oxytocin and protein expression of oxytocin receptor in blood mononuclear cells. Clinical assessments were made for severity, functionality, and comorbidity with axis I and II conditions.ResultsOxytocin plasma levels were significantly lower in BPD patients compared with controls. In addition, protein expression of oxytocin receptor was significantly reduced in the BPD group. A positive correlation was found between plasma oxytocin levels and the activity index score of the Zuckerman‐Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ). Oxytocin receptor protein expression, on the contrary, had a negative correlation with the ZKPQ sociability index score.ConclusionsResults support the evidence of a dysfunction of the oxytocin system in borderline personality disorder, which could be involved in emotional dysregulation and interpersonal disturbances in these patients.
The lethal 23%: predator demography influences predation risk for threatened prey
Authors: Moseby K. E. , McGregor H. , Read J. L. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractGlobally, wildlife managers often control predator populations to protect biodiversity, livestock or other valued resources. Most assume that the predation impact of each individual predator is the same and that removing any individual predator produces a benefit to the target species. However, research suggests predation efficacy can vary within a predator species according to phenotypic characteristics. Understanding these individual differences may be critical for managing predation impacts on particular categories of prey including small populations where predation effects are amplified. We used dietary data from 1748 feral cats euthanized over 30 years during a control programme in arid Australia to determine whether any predator attributes could predict their effect on different prey weight classes. Feral cats in our study ate a wide range of prey including reptiles, mammals, birds and invertebrates. Demography (body mass) was a highly significant predictor of diet. Cats weighing 3 kg fed predominantly on prey <50 g increasing to >500 g when cats attained a body mass of 6 kg. Of more significance was that diet varied between demographic groups but also within a single demographic group (adult males) based on body mass, with results having significant implications for threatened prey. Modelling indicated that for a fixed predator population size, the predation rate on prey in a >500 g weight class increased by 28% when the ratio of large (>4.2 kg) to small adult males varied according to its natural range (12%–80% over the 30‐year study). Results suggest that variations in predator demography can significantly impact predation rates on prey species and should be included in predator–prey models for small prey populations. On average, large male cats comprised 23% of the population and our findings suggest that targeting this ‘lethal demographic’ and manipulating predator demography should be prioritized along with lowering predator density to reduce predation impacts on prey weighing more than 500g.
‘Self‐fumigation’ of nests by an endangered avian host using insecticide‐treated feathers increases reproductive success more than tenfold
Authors: Alves F. , Langmore N. , Heinsohn R. , Stojanovic D. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractParasites can cause great fitness cost to their hosts, however, their impact on host populations is often unknown. In healthy populations, parasites are not expected to cause declines, but they can be devastating to small and/or declining populations. Nest ectoparasites can have detrimental impacts on the breeding output of their hosts and are emerging as a threat to several endangered bird species. Therefore, finding cost‐effect ways to reduce the impact of parasites on endangered hosts is crucial. Although ‘close‐order’ management techniques available to manage nest parasites are effective, they are often expensive and might not be suitable for species that are intolerant of intensive manipulation. We tested a low cost, ‘close‐order’ management technique to control parasites and boost nest productivity in an endangered passerine. The endangered forty‐spotted pardalote Pardalotus quadragintus is exploited by an ectoparasitic fly Passeromyia longicornis, an obligate subcutaneous parasite of nestling birds. We offered adult pardalotes the opportunity to ‘self‐fumigate’ their nests by supplying feathers treated with insecticide with which to line their nests and tested whether this boosted nest productivity. Pardalotes readily incorporated the experimental feathers in nest building, and survival of hatchlings was significantly higher in nests lined with treated feathers (95%) compared to nests lined with control feathers (8%). This represents a substantially greater improvement in reproductive success than in previous experimental studies, offering the strongest evidence yet that self‐fumigation is a highly effective, simple and low cost ‘close‐order’ management technique for defending endangered birds against ectoparasites.
Dietary partitioning of three large carnivores in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
Authors: Briers‐Louw Willem D. , Leslie Alison J. 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBetween 2011 and 2012, the carnivore guild in Majete Wildlife Reserve (MWR), Malawi, was restored following the reintroduction of lion (Panthera leo) and leopard (Panthera pardus). The aim of this study was to describe and compare the diet of lion, leopard and resident spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) using scat analysis. Lions and spotted hyaenas displayed the greatest dietary overlap (Oab = 0.88) and selected mainly medium‐ to large‐bodied prey species. Lions had a mean preferred prey weight of 120.33 ± 42.14 kg (SE), with warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) and waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus) making up 60.64% of relative biomass consumed. Spotted hyaenas had a mean preferred prey weight of 102.40 ± 41.69 kg and had a more generalised diet (Ba = 0.46) compared to lions (Ba = 0.36). In contrast, leopards occupied a dietary niche substantially lower than that of lions and spotted hyaenas, selecting relatively smaller prey with a mean preferred prey weight of 27.50 ± 6.74 kg. Our results suggest that coexistence between the resident hyaena and reintroduced lion and leopard in MWR is facilitated by dietary partitioning. We advise long‐term monitoring of reintroduced carnivores in small, enclosed reserves to assess their impacts on predator and prey populations.
Factors influencing the diurnal behaviour of white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) in Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe
Authors: Tichagwa Tafadzwa , Pegg Nicola , Ndagurwa Hilton G. T. , Zhuwau Colum 
Published: August 2020

AbstractActivity periods and diurnal behaviour of southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) were studied in Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe, from August 2016 to July 2017 using camera trapping and focal group sampling, respectively. Camera trap data showed that diurnal and nocturnal movements of white rhino varied significantly with moon phase, with more frequent nocturnal photographic captures during full‐ and third‐quarter moon phases than during new and crescent moon phases. Permutational MANOVA and canonical correspondence analysis of focal group observation data were used to test the effects of season, time of day, habitat type, distance to roads, moon phase, presence/absence of other mammals, age/sex category, individual identity and herd composition on daytime behaviour. Weather conditions accounted for the majority of variation in rhino behaviour, with more time spent feeding during cloudy and rainy weather than sunny weather. Time of day and moon phase also accounted for high variation in behaviour, followed by habitat attributes and age/sex category. Variance partitioning by sets of explanatory variables showed that weather conditions had the greatest explanatory power in the variation of rhino behaviour, followed by temporal attributes, habitat attributes and age/sex category. Our findings provide insights for white rhino population management strategies aimed at increasing the effectiveness of security patrols, minimising disturbance and improving sightings for tourists.
Performance and safety of treatment options for erectile dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury: A review of the literature
Authors: Afferi Luca , Pannek Jürgen , Louis Burnett Arthur , Razaname Cedric , Tzanoulinou Stamatina , Bobela Wojciech , da Silva Rodrigo Araujo Fraga , Sturny Mikael , Stergiopulos Nikos , Cornelius Julian , Moschini Marco , Iselin Christophe , Salonia Andrea , Mattei Agostino , Mordasini Livio 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundFor a large proportion of patients with spinal cord injury, sexuality and reproduction are important issues. However, sparse data exist regarding available treatment options for this patient population.ObjectivesWe sought to review performance and safety rates of all currently available treatment options for erectile dysfunction in spinal cord injury men.Materials and methodsA systematic literature review without time restrictions was performed using PubMed/EMBASE database for English‐, Italian‐, German‐, and Spanish‐language articles. Articles' selection was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Relevant papers on erectile dysfunction in spinal cord injury patients were included in the final analyses.Results and DiscussionOverall, 47 studies were eligible for inclusion in this review. Of these, most evidence dealt with phosphodiesterase 5‐inhibitors and intracavernous drug injection. Both treatment options are associated with high levels of performance and with patients/partners' satisfaction; side effects are acceptable. Overall, penile prostheses and vacuum erection devices are in general less approved by spinal cord injury patients and are correlated with increased rates of complications in comparison with phosphodiesterase 5‐inhibitors and intracavernous drug injection. Sacral neuromodulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and intraurethral suppositories have been poorly studied, but preliminary studies did not show convincing results.ConclusionThe best treatment options for erectile dysfunction in spinal cord injury patients emerged to be phosphodiesterase 5‐inhibitors and intracavernous drug injection. The choice of erectile dysfunction treatment should be based on several aspects, including residual erectile function, spinal cord injury location, and patients' comorbidities. Future studies assessing the applicability of less well‐studied treatments, as well as evaluating innovative options, are needed in this specific population.