bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lack of vulnerability segmentation among woody species in a diverse dry sclerophyll woodland community
Authors: Smith‐Martin Chris M. , Skelton Robert Paul , Johnson Kate M. , Lucani Christopher , Brodribb Timothy J. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Recent findings suggest that tree mortality and post‐drought recovery of gas exchange can be predicted from loss of function within the water transport system. Understanding the susceptibility of plants to hydraulic damage requires knowledge about the vulnerability of different plant organs to stress‐induced hydraulic dysfunction. This is particularly important in the context of vulnerability segmentation between plant tissues which is believed to protect more energetically ‘costly’ tissues, such as woody stems, by sacrificing ‘cheaper’ leaves early under drought conditions.

Differences in vulnerability segmentation between co‐occurring plant species could explain divergent behaviours during drought, yet there are few studies considering how this characteristic may vary within a plant community. Here we investigated community‐wide vulnerability segmentation by comparing leaf/shoot and stem vulnerability in all coexistent dominant canopy and understory woody species in a diverse dry sclerophyll woodland community, including multiple angiosperms and one gymnosperm.

Previously published terminal leaf/shoot vulnerability to loss of water transport capacity was compared with stem xylem vulnerability to embolism measured on the same species at the same site. We calculated hydraulic safety margins for stems to determine variation in the risk of hydraulic failure during drought among species.

The xylem of all species was found to be highly resistant to hydraulic dysfunction, with only two of the eight species exhibiting significantly different vulnerability to the overall mean. No evidence of vulnerability segmentation between shoots/leaves and stems was found in seven of the eight species.

Phylogenetically diverse canopy and understory species in this evergreen sclerophyll woodland appear to have evolved similar strategies of drought resistance, including low xylem vulnerability to embolism and general lack of vulnerability segmentation. This convergence in hydraulic safety indicates a lack of hydraulic niche partitioning in this woodland community.

A free plain language summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Intrinsically altered lung‐resident γδT cells control lung melanoma by producing interleukin‐17A in the elderly
Authors: Cheng Min , Chen Yongyan , Huang Dake , Chen Wen , Xu Weiping , Chen Yin , Shen Guodong , Xu Tingjuan , Shen Gan , Tian Zhigang , Hu Shilian 
Published: January 2020

AbstractCancer is an age‐associated disease, potentially related to the altered immune system of elderly individuals. However, cancer has gradually decreased incidence in the eldest globally such as the most common lung cancer, the mechanisms of which remain to be elucidated. In this study, it was found that the number of lung‐resident γδT cells was significantly increased with altered gene expression in aged mice (20–24 months) versus young mice (10–16 weeks). Aged lung Vγ4+ and Vγ6+ γδT cells predominantly produced interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A), resulting in increased levels in the serum and lungs. Moreover, the aged mice exhibited smaller tumors and reduced numbers of tumor foci in the lungs after challenge with intravenous injection of B16/F10 melanoma cells compared with the young mice. Aged lung Vγ4+ and Vγ6+ γδT cells were highly cytotoxic to B16/F10 melanoma cells with higher expression levels of CD103. The markedly longer survival of the challenged aged mice was dependent on γδT17 cells, since neutralization of IL‐17A or depletion of indicated γδT cells significantly shortened the survival time. Consistently, supplementation of IL‐17A significantly enhanced the survival time of young mice with lung melanoma. Furthermore, the anti‐tumor activity of aged lung γδT17 cells was not affected by alterations in the load and composition of commensal microbiota, as demonstrated through co‐housing of the aged and young mice. Intrinsically altered lung γδT17 cells underlying age‐dependent changes control lung melanoma, which will help to better understand the lung cancer progression in the elderly and the potential use of γδT17 cells in anti‐tumor immunotherapy.
Age at migration and the risk of psychotic disorders: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Anderson K. K. , Edwards J. 
Published: January 2020

ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the existing evidence on the association between age at migration and the risk of psychotic disorders.MethodsObservational studies were eligible for inclusion if they presented data on the association between age at migration and the risk of psychotic disorders among first‐generation migrant groups. We used two random effects meta‐analyses to pool effect estimates for each stratum of age at migration relative to (i) a native‐born reference category and (ii) the youngest age stratum (0 to 2 years).ResultsTen studies met inclusion criteria, and five were included in the meta‐analysis. The risk of psychotic disorder among people who migrate prior to age 18 is nearly twice as high as the native‐born population, with no evidence of effect modification by age strata. People who migrate during early adulthood (19 to 29 years) have a similar risk of psychotic disorder as the native‐born population (IRR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.60, 1.44) and a lower risk relative to those who migrate during infancy (0 to 2 years) (IRR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.33, 1.04).ConclusionsMigrant status is one of few well‐established risk factors for psychotic disorder, yet we have limited understanding of the underlying etiology. The findings of this review advance our understanding of this association and identify high‐risk groups to target for intervention.
More than just morbidity and mortality – quality of recovery and long‐term functional recovery after surgery
Authors: Myles P. S. 
Published: January 2020

SummaryTraditional surgical outcome measures include minor and major complications, hospital length of stay and sometimes longer‐term survival. Each of these is important but there needs to be greater emphasis on patient‐reported outcome measures. Global measures of a patient's quality of recovery, avoidance of postoperative morbidities, early hospital discharge to home (without re‐admission) and longer term disability‐free survival can better define postoperative recovery. A patient's recovery pathway can be mapped through the immediate days or weeks after surgery with documentation of morbidity using the postoperative morbidity survey and/or a quality of recovery score, days alive and at home up to 30 days after surgery and then longer term disability‐free survival using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 scale. These can be used to define quality of recovery after surgery.
The association between genome‐wide polymorphisms and chronic postoperative pain: a prospective observational study
Authors: van Reij R. R. I. , Hoofwijk D. M. N. , Rutten B. P. F. , Weinhold L. , Leber M. , Joosten E. A. J. , Ramirez A. , van den Hoogen N. J. ,   the Italian Pain Group
Published: January 2020

SummaryChronic postoperative pain is common and can have a negative impact on quality of life. Recent studies show that genetic risk factors are likely to play a role, although only gene‐targeted analysis has been used to date. This is the first genome‐wide association study to identify single‐nucleotide polymorphisms associated with the development of chronic postoperative pain based on two independent cohorts. In a discovery cohort, 330 women scheduled for hysterectomy were genotyped. A case–control association analysis compared patients without chronic postoperative pain and the 34 who had severe chronic postoperative pain 3 months after surgery. No single‐nucleotide polymorphisms reached genome‐wide significance, but several showed suggestive associations with chronic postoperative pain (p < 1 × 10−5). Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms with significance p < 1 × 10−5 were followed up in a replication cohort consisting of 203 men and women scheduled for orthopaedic or abdominal surgery. Ten of these patients developed severe chronic postoperative pain. A single‐nucleotide polymorphism in NAV3 was significantly replicated with chronic postoperative pain in the replication cohort (p = 0.009). Meta‐analysis revealed that two loci (IQGAP1 and CRTC3) were significantly associated with chronic postoperative pain at 3 months (IQGAP1 p = 3.93 × 10−6 β = 2.3863, CRTC3 p = 2.26 × 10−6, β = 2.4209). The present genome‐wide association study provides initial evidence for genetic risk factors of chronic postoperative pain and supports follow‐up studies.
Enhanced postoperative recovery: good from afar, but far from good?
Authors: Kehlet H. 
Published: January 2020

SummaryEnhanced postoperative recovery programmes (ERAS) were developed about 20 years ago based on improved understanding of the pathophysiology of postoperative recovery within an integrated multidisciplinary approach. The results across surgical procedures have been extremely positive with a reduction in hospitalisation and medical complications, without increased re‐admission rates. However, several challenges lie ahead including improved implementation of existing scientific evidence, increased focus on post‐discharge recovery problems and a need for improved design of future ERAS studies. However, the most important challenges lie within a better understanding and control of undesirable peri‐operative pathophysiological responses with subsequent risk of organ dysfunction. These efforts should focus on: the inflammatory and neurohumoral surgical stress responses; fluid management; pain management; blood management; mechanisms of orthostatic intolerance; postoperative cognitive dysfunction; risk factors for thrombo‐embolic complications; and mechanisms and prevention of postoperative ileus. Finally, more focus should be made on the different barriers to post‐discharge functional recovery and the choice of (pre‐ and postoperative) rehabilitation. These efforts should be made on a procedure‐specific as well as on a patient‐specific basis.
The older surgical patient – to operate or not? A state of the art review
Authors: Santhirapala R. , Partridge J. , MacEwen C. J. 
Published: January 2020

SummaryThe increasing age and subsequent medical complexity of patients presenting for surgery grants the opportunity to examine the processes and delivery of peri‐operative care. There is a need to redesign peri‐operative pathways allowing room for shared decision making and personalised, evidence‐based care. In times of financial constraint, this is no easy task. However, neglecting to transform services now may lead to challenges in the sustainability of the provision of peri‐operative care in the long‐term. Challenges in redesigning peri‐operative care pathways include identification and optimisation of those at highest peri‐operative risk to inform the difficult conversations surrounding the appropriateness of surgery. The moral burden of these conversations on patient and professionals alike is increasingly recognised and managing this issue requires innovative models of collaborative, multidisciplinary and interprofessional working. To operate or not can be a challenging question to answer with a number of different perspectives to consider; not least that of the patient.
A narrative review of the impact of surgery and anaesthesia on acute kidney injury
Authors: Ostermann M. , Cennamo A. , Meersch M. , Kunst G. 
Published: January 2020

SummaryThe epidemiology of peri‐operative acute kidney injury varies depending on the definition, type of surgery and acute and chronic comorbidities. Haemodynamic instability, disturbance of the microcirculation, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation and tubular cell injury are the main factors contributing to the pathogenesis. There are no specific therapies. The most effective strategies to protect renal function during the peri‐operative period are: the avoidance of nephrotoxic insults; optimisation of haemodynamics; prevention of hypotension; and meticulous fluid management, including avoidance of both hypovolaemia and hypervolaemia. Peri‐operative acute kidney injury is associated with an increased risk of short‐ and long‐term postoperative complications, including a longer stay in hospital, development of premature chronic kidney disease and increased mortality. Resource utilisation and healthcare costs are also higher. In future, the development of advanced clinical prediction scores, new imaging and monitoring techniques and the application of new biomarkers for acute kidney injury have the prospect of identifying acute kidney injury earlier and allowing a more personalised management approach with the aim of reducing the global burden of acute kidney injury.
SOD2 genetic polymorphism (rs4880) has no impact on 6‐month response to antidepressant treatment and inflammatory biomarkers in depressed patients
Authors: Ait Tayeb Abd El Kader , Becquemont Laurent , El‐Asmar Khalil , Mahmoudi Kaïna , Colle Romain , Trabado Severine , Gressier Florence , Feve Bruno , Corruble Emmanuelle , Verstuyft Céline 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTwo thirds of patients suffering from a major depressive episode (MDE) do not reach a complete response with antidepressant drugs. This lack of response is due to several factors, including genetic determinants. Since major depressive disorder is associated with inflammatory and oxidative stress abnormalities, the metabolism of superoxide anions might be involved in non‐response to antidepressant drugs. Superoxide anions are metabolized by manganese‐dependent superoxide dismutase (SOD2) in the mitochondria. A functional genetic polymorphism (SOD2, rs4880), responsible of a 40% reduction in enzyme activity, is associated with anti‐inflammatory response of rosuvastatin. We investigated the association of ala‐allele of SOD2 rs4880 and both antidepressant efficacy and inflammatory parameters in patients treated for a MDE with antidepressant drugs. The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) score and levels of plasma CRP and inflammatory cytokines were assessed at baseline, one month (M1), 3 months (M3) and 6 months (M6) after antidepressant treatment. They were compared according to SOD2 genetic polymorphism. Of the 484 patients studied, 361 (74.6%) carried the ala‐allele (Ala group), 123 (25.4%) of them had Val/Val genotype (Val/Val group). No significant difference was observed between the Ala and Val/Val groups neither for baseline clinical characteristics, nor for HDRS scores, response/remission rates, plasma CRP and cytokine levels throughout the study. The rs4880 SOD2 genetic polymorphism was not associated with the clinical response and cytokines levels after antidepressant treatment. These data suggest that SOD2 is not a major genetic determinant of antidepressant response. Other genes of the oxidative stress pathways should be explored in further studies.
Epitope region identification challenges of intrinsically disordered proteins in neurodegenerative diseases: Secondary structure dependence of α‐synuclein on simulation techniques and force field parameters
Authors: Mandaci Sunay Y. , Caliskan Murat , Sariaslan M. Furkan , Uversky Vladimir N. , Coskuner‐Weber Orkid 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDue to fast aggregation processes of many disordered proteins in neurodegenerative diseases, it is difficult to study their epitope regions at the monomeric and oligomeric levels. Computer simulations complement experiments and have been used to identify the epitope regions of proteins. Residues that adopt β‐sheet conformation play a central role in the oligomerization and aggregation mechanisms of such proteins, including α‐synuclein, which is at the center of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. In this study, we simulated the monomeric α‐synuclein protein in an aqueous environment to evaluate its secondary structure properties, including β‐sheet propensity, and radius of gyration by replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations. We also obtained the molecular dynamics simulation trajectories of α‐synuclein that were conducted using various force field parameters by the David E. Shaw group. Using these trajectories, we calculated the impacts of force field parameters on α‐synuclein secondary structure properties and radius of gyration values and obtained results are compared with our data from REMD simulations. This study shows that the chosen force field parameters and computer simulation techniques effect the predicted secondary structure properties and radius of gyration values of α‐synuclein in water. Herewith, we illustrate the challenges in epitope region identification of intrinsically disordered proteins in neurodegenerative diseases by current computer simulations.
Effectiveness and safety of insulin glargine 300 U/mL in insulin‐naïve patients with type 2 diabetes after failure of oral therapy in a real‐world setting
Authors: Pfohl Martin , Jornayvaz François R. , Fritsche Andreas , Pscherer Stefan , Anderten Helmut , Pegelow Katrin , Seufert Jochen 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAimTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of initiating basal insulin‐supported oral therapy (BOT) with insulin glargine 300 U/mL (Gla‐300) in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs).Materials and MethodsThis non‐interventional, multi‐centre, prospective 52‐week study, conducted in Germany and Switzerland, documented patients with type 2 diabetes with an HbA1c of between 7.5% and 10.0%, currently treated with OADs, after the physician had decided to start a BOT regimen with Gla‐300. The primary endpoint was the rate of achievement of the individualized predefined HbA1c target.ResultsOf 1748 patients included, 1153 comprised the full analysis set, of whom 721 completed documentation of 12 months of Gla‐300 treatment. Twelve months after starting Gla‐300, 49.9% achieved their individualized HbA1c target, and 61.1% achieved either their HbA1c target or a fasting plasma glucose (FPG) of ≤110 mg/dL. Mean HbA1c decreased by −1.22% ± 1.05% to 7.28% ± 0.92% and mean FPG by −51.5 (±48.63) mg/dl to 132.9 ± 33.0 mg/dL. Median duration of HbA1c target achievement was 341 days and probability to remain on target after 6 months was 81%. Hypoglycaemia incidence and rates remained low after 12 months of Gla‐300 treatment; no severe or severe nocturnal hypoglycaemia was observed. Body weight remained unchanged.ConclusionsStarting a BOT regimen with Gla‐300 allowed about 60% of 721 German and Swiss patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes to achieve glycaemic control within 12 months in daily clinical practice. Glycaemic control was achieved without weight gain or increased risk of nocturnal or severe hypoglycaemia.
Network and cellular mechanisms underlying heterogeneous excitatory/inhibitory balanced states
Authors: Wu Jiaxing , Aton Sara J. , Booth Victoria , Zochowski Michal 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRecent work has explored spatiotemporal relationships between excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) signaling within neural networks, and the effect of these relationships on network activity patterns. Data from these studies have indicated that excitation and inhibition are maintained at a similar level across long time periods and that excitatory and inhibitory currents may be tightly synchronized. Disruption of this balance—leading to an aberrant E/I ratio—is implicated in various brain pathologies. However, a thorough characterization of the relationship between E and I currents in experimental settings is largely impossible, due to their tight regulation at multiple cellular and network levels. Here, we use biophysical neural network models to investigate the emergence and properties of balanced states by heterogeneous mechanisms. Our results show that a network can homeostatically regulate the E/I ratio through interactions among multiple cellular and network factors, including average firing rates, synaptic weights and average neural depolarization levels in excitatory/inhibitory populations. Complex and competing interactions between firing rates and depolarization levels allow these factors to alternately dominate network dynamics in different synaptic weight regimes. This leads to the emergence of distinct mechanisms responsible for determining a balanced state and its dynamical correlate. Our analysis provides a comprehensive picture of how E/I ratio changes when manipulating specific network properties, and identifies the mechanisms regulating E/I balance. These results provide a framework to explain the diverse, and in some cases, contradictory experimental observations on the E/I state in different brain states and conditions.
Characterization of a bacterial copper‐dependent lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase with an unusual second coordination sphere
Authors: Munzone Alessia , El Kerdi Bilal , Fanuel Mathieu , Rogniaux Hélène , Ropartz David , Réglier Marius , Royant Antoine , Simaan A. Jalila , Decroos Christophe 
Published: January 2020

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are copper‐dependent enzymes involved in the degradation of recalcitrant polysaccharides such as cellulose or chitin. LPMOs act in synergy with glycoside hydrolases such as cellulases and chitinases by oxidatively cleaving a number of glycosidic bonds at the surface of their crystalline substrate(s). Besides their role in biomass degradation, some bacterial LPMOs have been found to be virulence factors in some human and insect pathogens. Photorhabdus luminescens is a nematode symbiont bacterium that is pathogenic to a wide range of insects. A single gene encoding a LPMO is found in its genome. In this work, we report the characterization of this LPMO, referred to as PlAA10. Surprisingly, PlAA10 lacks the conserved alanine residue (substituted by an isoleucine) found in the second coordination sphere of the copper‐active site in bacterial LPMOs. PlAA10 was found to be catalytically active on both α‐ and β‐chitin, and exhibits a C1‐oxidation regiospecificity, similarly to other chitin‐active LPMOs. The 1.6 Å X‐ray crystal structure confirmed that PlAA10 adopts the canonical immunoglobulin‐like fold typical for LPMOs. The geometry of the copper‐active site is not affected by the nearby isoleucine, as also supported by electron paramagnetic resonance. Nevertheless, the bulkier side chain of isoleucine protrudes from the substrate‐binding surface. A bioinformatic study on putative bacterial LPMOs unveiled that they exhibit some variability at the conserved active‐site alanine position with a substitution in about 15% of all sequences analyzed.DatabaseStructural data (atomic coordinates and structure factors) reported for PlAA10 are available in the Protein Data Bank under accession number 6T5Z.EnzymesPlAA10, EC1.14.99.53.
Obstinate curiosity and situated solidarity in urban political ecology
Authors: Goldfischer Eric , Rice Jennifer L. , Black Sara T. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractOver the past two decades, the field of urban political ecology (UPE) has developed into a robust theoretical framework for understanding the production of uneven socionatures. More recently, expanded theoretical and empirical innovations in UPE research are pushing the framework's radical roots into new and productive directions for addressing (not just critiquing) persistent inequalities and marginalizations in and beyond cities. We trace this trajectory of UPE towards its more transformative potential and argue that UPE's relevance will increase as scholars continue to embrace the power of what Povinelli calls “obstinate curiosity” to give rise to unexpected connections between people and ecologies. Specifically, we call for continued diversification of both theoretical and methodological starting points for UPE research, particularly with respect to the ways that scholars practice situated solidarity movements for social and environmental justice in cities.