bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Different cardiovascular and pulmonary phenotypes for single- and double-knock-out mice deficient in BMP9 and BMP10
Authors: Bouvard Claire , Tu Ly , Rossi Martina , Desroches-Castan Agnès , Berrebeh Nihel , Helfer Elise , Roelants Caroline , Liu Hequn , Ouarné Marie , Chaumontel Nicolas , Mallet Christine , Battail Christophe , Bikfalvi Andreas , Humbert Marc , Savale Laurent , Daubon Thomas , Perret Pascale , Tillet Emmanuelle , Guignabert Christophe , Bailly Sabine 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Aims
BMP9 and BMP10 mutations were recently identified in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, but their specific roles in the pathogenesis of the disease are still unclear. We aimed to study the roles of BMP9 and BMP10 in cardiovascular homeostasis and pulmonary hypertension using transgenic mouse models deficient in Bmp9 and/or Bmp10.

Methods and results
Single- and double-knockout mice for Bmp9 (constitutive) and/or Bmp10 (tamoxifen inducible) were generated. Single-knock-out (KO) mice developed no obvious age-dependent phenotype when compared with their wild-type littermates. However, combined deficiency in Bmp9 and Bmp10 led to vascular defects resulting in a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance and blood pressure and the progressive development of high-output heart failure and pulmonary hemosiderosis. RNAseq analysis of the lungs of the double-KO mice revealed differential expression of genes involved in inflammation and vascular homeostasis. We next challenged these mice to chronic hypoxia. After 3 weeks of hypoxic exposure, Bmp10-cKO mice showed an enlarged heart. However, although genetic deletion of Bmp9 in the single- and double-KO mice attenuated the muscularization of pulmonary arterioles induced by chronic hypoxia, we observed no differences in Bmp10-cKO mice. Consistent with these results, endothelin-1 levels were significantly reduced in Bmp9 deficient mice but not Bmp10-cKO mice. Furthermore, the effects of BMP9 on vasoconstriction were inhibited by bosentan, an endothelin receptor antagonist, in a chick chorioallantoic membrane assay.

Conclusions
Our data show redundant roles for BMP9 and BMP10 in cardiovascular homeostasis under normoxic conditions (only combined deletion of both Bmp9 and Bmp10 was associated with severe defects) but highlight specific roles under chronic hypoxic conditions. We obtained evidence that BMP9 contributes to chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodelling, whereas BMP10 plays a role in hypoxia-induced cardiac remodelling in mice.
PGC-1α deficiency reveals sex-specific links between cardiac energy metabolism and EC-coupling during development of heart failure in mice
Authors: Naumenko Nikolay , Mutikainen Maija , Holappa Lari , Ruas Jorge L , Tuomainen Tomi , Tavi Pasi 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Aims
Biological sex has fundamental effects on mammalian heart physiology and pathogenesis. While it has been established that female sex is a protective factor against most cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), this beneficial effect may involve pathways associated with cardiac energy metabolism. Our aim was to elucidate the role of transcriptional coactivator PGC-1α in sex dimorphism of heart failure (HF) development.

Methods and results
Here, we show that mice deficient in cardiac expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) develop dilated HF associated with changes in aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, calcium handling, cell structure, electrophysiology, as well as gene expression. These cardiac changes occur in both sexes, but female mice develop an earlier and more severe structural and functional phenotype associated with dyssynchronous local calcium release resulting from disruption of t-tubular structures of the cardiomyocytes.

Conclusions
These data reveal that the integrity of the subcellular Ca2+ release and uptake machinery is dependent on energy metabolism and that female hearts are more prone to suffer from contractile dysfunction in conditions with compromised production of cellular energy. Furthermore, these findings suggest that PGC-1α is a central mediator of sex-specific differences in heart function and CVD susceptibility.
Prioritizing security over usability: Strategies for how people choose passwords
Authors: Wash Rick , Rader Emilee 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPasswords are one of the most common security technologies that people use everyday. Choosing a new password is a security decision that can have important consequences for end users. Passwords can be long and complex, which prioritizes the security-focused aspects of a password. They can also be simple—easy to create, remember, and use—which prioritizes the usability aspects of the password. The tradeoff between password security versus usability represents competing constraints that shape password creation and use. We examined an ecologically valid dataset of 853 passwords entered a total of 2533 times by 134 users into 1010 websites, to test hypotheses about the impact of these constraints. We found evidence that choices about password complexity reflect an emphasis on security needs, but little support for the hypothesis that users take day-to-day ease of use of the password into account when creating it. There was also little evidence that password creation policies drive password choices.
Refined staging classification of cardiac damage associated with aortic stenosis and outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Okuno Taishi , Heg Dik , Lanz Jonas , Praz Fabien , Brugger Nicolas , Stortecky Stefan , Windecker Stephan , Pilgrim Thomas 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Aims
A new staging classification of aortic stenosis (AS) characterizing the extent of cardiac damage was established and validated in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). We aimed to validate an updated classification system in patients undergoing TAVI.

Methods and results
In a prospective TAVI registry, AS patients were categorized into the following stages: no cardiac damage (Stage 0), left ventricular damage (Stage 1), left atrial or mitral valve damage (Stage 2), pulmonary vasculature or tricuspid valve damage (Stage 3), or right ventricular (RV) damage or low-flow state (Stage 4). Stage 3 was sub-divided into Stage 3a (≤moderate pulmonary hypertension) and Stage 3b (severe pulmonary hypertension). Stage 4 was sub-divided into Stage 4a (low-flow without RV dysfunction), Stage 4b (RV dysfunction without low-flow), and Stage 4c (RV dysfunction with low-flow). The primary endpoint was all-cause death at 1 year. Among 1156 eligible patients, 14 were classified as Stage 0, 38 as Stage 1, 105 as Stage 2278 as Stage 3, and 721 as Stage 4. There was a stepwise increase in mortality according to advancing stages of cardiac damage: 3.9% (Stage 0–1), 9.6% (Stage 2), 14.1% (Stage 3), and 17.4% (Stage 4) (P = 0.002). After multivariable adjustment, only Stage 3b, Stage 4b, and Stage 4c conferred a significantly increased risk of mortality compared to Stage 0–1.

Conclusion
More than one-third of patients had advanced cardiac damage (severe pulmonary hypertension or RV dysfunction) before TAVI, associating with a five- to seven-fold increased risk of mortality at 1 year.

Clinical trial registration
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. NCT01368250.
Oral fluoroquinolones and risk of aortic or mitral regurgitation: a nationwide nested case-control study
Authors: Strange Jarl Emanuel , Holt Anders , Blanche Paul , Gislason Gunnar , Torp-Pedersen Christian- , Christensen Daniel Mølager , Hansen Morten Lock , Lamberts Morten , Schou Morten , Olesen Jonas Bjerring , Fosbøl Emil Loldrup , Køber Lars , Rasmussen Peter Vibe 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Aims
Reports have suggested an increased risk of aortic and mitral regurgitation associated with oral fluoroquinolones (FQs) resulting in a safety warning published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). However, these findings have not yet been replicated.

Methods and results
Using Danish administrative registers, we conducted a nested case-control study in a nationwide cohort of individuals between 2005 and 2018. Cases were defined as the first occurrence of aortic or mitral regurgitation. Exposure of interest was the use of oral FQs. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were obtained by fitting time-dependent Cox regression models, with penicillin V as comparator, to assess the association between FQ use and incident valvular regurgitation. We identified 38 370 cases of valvular regurgitation with 1 115 100 matched controls. FQ exposure was not significantly associated with increased rates of aortic or mitral regurgitation (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.95–1.09) compared with penicillin V users. Investigating the cumulative defined daily doses (cDDD) of FQs yielded similar results with no significant association between increasing FQ use and valvular regurgitation (e.g. HR 1.08, 95% CI 0.95–1.23 for cDDD &gt;10 compared with cDDD 1–5). These results were consistent across several analyses including a cohort of patients with hypertension and using a case definition based on valvular surgical interventions.

Conclusions
In a nationwide nested case-control study, FQs were not significantly associated with increased rates of valvular regurgitation. Our findings do not support a possible causal connection between FQ exposure and incident valvular regurgitation.
Overcoming reduced antibiotic susceptibility in intracellularSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium using AR-12
Authors: Zahid M Shamim Hasan , Varma Devika M , Johnson Monica M , Landavazo Antonio , Bachelder Eric M , Blough Bruce E , Ainslie Kristy M 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACTHost-directed therapies (HDTs) could enhance the activity of traditional antibiotics. AR-12 is a promising HDT against intracellular pathogens including Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and has been shown to act through modulation of autophagy and the Akt kinase pathway. Since AR-12 does not inhibit the growth of planktonic bacteria but only works in conjunction with the infected host-cell, we hypothesized that AR-12 could enhance the activity of antibiotics in less-susceptible strains in the intracellular host environment. We found that repetitive passaging of S. typhimurium in macrophages in the absence of antibiotics led to a 4-fold reduction in their intracellular susceptibility to streptomycin (STR), but had no effect on the bacteria's sensitivity to AR-12. Moreover, when the host-passaged strains were treated with a combined therapy of AR-12 and STR, there was a significant reduction of intracellular bacterial burden compared to STR monotherapy. Additionally, co-treatment of macrophages infected with multi-drug resistant S. typhimurium with AR-12 and STR or ampicillin showed enhanced clearance of the intracellular bacteria. The drug combination did not elicit this effect on planktonic bacteria. Overall, AR-12 enhanced the clearance of less susceptible S. typhimurium in an intracellular environment.
Extending the formulation of the spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) method to strain, rotation and tilt
Authors: Nakahara Hisashi , Emoto Kentaro , Nishimura Takeshi 
Published: June 2021

SUMMARYThe spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) method has been applied to ambient seismic noise measured by arrays of translational seismometers for inverting phase-velocity dispersion curves of Rayleigh or Love waves for shallow S-wave velocity structure. Recently, it is becoming possible to observe wave spatial gradients such as strain, rotation and tilt owing to the development of dense seismic networks and improving measurement technologies. Therefore, it is desirable to extend the formulation of the SPAC method to strain, rotation and tilt. This study presents analytical expressions of cross-spectra and coherence of the strain, rotation and tilt components that are measured on the free surface. According to the results, both Rayleigh and Love waves contribute to most components of strains. The exceptions are the areal strain and the vertical axial strain (ezz) on the free surface that are affected by only Rayleigh waves. Only Rayleigh waves contribute to the tilts and rotations around the horizontal axes on the free surface, too. On the other hand, only Love waves contribute to the rotation around the vertical axis. Therefore, different kinds of wave spatial gradients are helpful to separate Rayleigh and Love waves correctly. For practical applications, the analytical expression for the radial axial strain (err) component will be applied directly to distributed acoustic sensing data measured with straight sections of a fibre-optic cable. On the other hand, dense observations of rotation and tilt may still be difficult to carry out at present. However, an application of analytical formulations in this study to arrays of at least several three-component rotational seismometers is attractive because it enables us to separately estimate the phase velocities of Rayleigh and Love waves.
How an Early, Inclusive Field Course can Build Persistence in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Authors: Race Alexandra I , Beltran Roxanne S , Zavaleta Erika S 
Published: June 2021

Synopsis
Field courses have been identified as powerful tools for student success in science, but the potential for field courses to address demographic disparities and the mechanisms behind these benefits are not well understood. To address these knowledge gaps, we studied students in a nonmajors Ecology and Evolutionary Biology course, Introduction to Field Research and Conservation, at the University of California Santa Cruz, a large Hispanic-Serving Institution. We examined (a) the effects of participation on students’ perception of their scientific competencies and (b) how the field course shaped student experiences and built their sense of community, confidence and belonging in science. Our mixed-methods approach included the Persistence in the Sciences (PITS) survey with field course students and a control group; interviews, focus groups, and prompted student journal entries with a subset of field course students; and participant-observation. We found that field course participants scored higher on all science identity items of the PITS instrument than students in the control (lecture course) group. Field course students from underrepresented minority groups also scored similarly to or higher than their well-represented peers on each of the six PITS survey components. From our qualitative data, themes of growth in peer community, relationships with mentors, confidence living and working outdoors, team-based science experiences, and a sense of contributing to knowledge and discovery interacted throughout the course—especially from the initial overnight field trip to the final one—to assist these gains and strengthen interest in science and support persistence. These findings highlight the importance of holistic support and community building as necessary driving factors in inclusive course design, especially as a way to begin to dismantle structures of exclusion in the sciences.
Optimal Collection Methods for Asian Longhorned Ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in the Northeast United States
Authors: Sherpa Phurchhoki , Harrington Laura C , Piedmonte Nicholas P , Wunderlin Kathryn , Falco Richard C 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann, is an invasive species in the United States. Since its earliest recorded presence in West Virginia in 2010, H. longicornis has been reported from 15 states. While its public health significance in the United States is unclear, globally it transmits pathogens that infect livestock and humans, causing economic losses and substantial morbidity. Management and control of H. longicornis requires knowledge of its biology, ecology, and distribution. Here, we address the need for effective collection methods for host-seeking H. longicornis as an important step for accurately assessing tick abundance and potential disease risk. The number of H. longicornis collected were compared across three collection methods (dragging, sweeping, CO2 traps) and three tick check distances (5 m, 10 m, and 20 m) were compared for dragging and sweeping. Field collections were conducted from June through August 2019 in Westchester County, New York, and ticks were grouped by life stage to assess collection method efficiency. Results indicated that implementing shorter (5 m) tick check distance was ideal for adult and nymphal collections. The dragging method proved better than sweeping for adult collections; however, there was no significant difference between the methods for nymphal collections, at any tick check distance evaluated. CO2 traps attracted H. longicornis, but additional research is necessary to devise an effective tick retaining method before the traps can be implemented in the field. The results are presented to inform and support H. longicornis surveillance and control programs across the nation.
Synthesis of Red-cockaded Woodpecker management strategies and suggestions for regional specificity in future management
Authors: Martin Emily J , Gigliotti Franco N , Ferguson Paige F B 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Dryobates borealis, RCW) was listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 1973 due to significant population declines resulting from habitat loss and fragmentation, and the species has been intensively managed since then. We reviewed management strategies commonly used to conserve the RCW, emphasizing studies conducted after publication of the most recent Recovery Plan in 2003, to evaluate the efficacy of each strategy across the RCW’s range and identify demographic and environmental factors that influence the success of each strategy. Of the management strategies reviewed, outcomes from prescribed fire vary the most across the RCW’s range, because prescribed fire is influenced by the site’s vegetation, abiotic conditions, and land use history. The abundance of cavity kleptoparasites varies across sites, but kleptoparasite control is only a high priority in small RCW populations. The long-term effectiveness of artificial cavities and translocations, which are highly effective across the RCW’s range in the short-term, requires suitable habitat, which is strongly influenced by prescribed fire. Regional variation in RCW management may be needed, because RCW populations that are not in archetypical suitable habitat (sensu Recovery Plan Standards) may benefit from management methods that are not suitable for large RCW populations in archetypical habitats (e.g., installing many cavity restrictor plates and cavity inserts). RCW management strategies have been studied most in the South Central Plains and Southeastern Plains ecoregions, and more research in other ecoregions would be valuable. We encourage consideration of how management varies according to population demographics and site characteristics as opposed to a “one-size fits all” management approach for the RCW, which inhabits broad geographic ranges and sites of varying productivity and will continue to rely on management efforts after downlisting or delisting from the Endangered Species Act.
Development of a new wideband heterodyne receiver system for the Osaka 1.85 m mm–submm telescope: Corrugated horn and optics covering the 210–375 GHz band
Authors: Yamasaki Yasumasa , Masui Sho , Ogawa Hideo , Kondo Hiroshi , Matsumoto Takeru , Okawa Masanari , Yokoyama Koki , Minami Taisei , Konishi Ryotaro , Kawashita Sana , Konishi Ayu , Nakao Yuka , Nishimoto Shimpei , Yoneyama Sho , Ueda Shota , Hasegawa Yutaka , Fujita Shinji , Nishimura Atsushi , Kojima Takafumi , Kaneko Keiko , Sakai Ryo , Gonzalez Alvaro , Uzawa Yoshinori , Onishi Toshikazu 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The corrugated horn is a high-performance feed often used in radio telescopes. There has been a growing demand for wideband optics and corrugated horns in millimeter- and submillimeter-wave receivers as they improve observation efficiency and allow us to observe important emission lines such as CO in multiple excited states simultaneously. However, in the millimeter/submillimeter band, it has been challenging to create a conical corrugated horn with a fractional bandwidth of ∼60% because the wavelength is very short, making it difficult to make narrow corrugations. In this study we designed a conical corrugated horn with good return loss, low cross-polarization, and symmetric beam pattern in the 210–375 GHz band (56% fractional bandwidth) by optimizing the dimensions of the corrugations. The corrugated horn was installed on the Osaka 1.85 m mm–submm telescope with matched frequency-independent optics, and simultaneous observations of 12CO, 13CO, and C18O (J = 2–1, 3–2) were successfully made. We describe the new design of the corrugated horn and report the performance evaluation results including the optics.
IONIZING RADIATION EXPOSURE IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19: MORE THAN NEEDED
Authors: Yurdaisik Isil , Nurili Fuat , Aksoy Suleyman Hilmi , Agirman Ayse Gul , Aktan Ahmet 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Objective
The aim of the study was to evaluate the ionizing radiation exposure in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Materials and Methods
This was a retrospective study in which all patients presented with suggestive symptoms of COVID-19 were included. The study was carried out in a university-affiliated private hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. Biological radiation dose exposure (cumulative effective dose: CED) was evaluated in millisievert (mSv) units.

Results
A total of 1410 patients were included in the study. Of all study subjects, 804 patients (57%) underwent only one chest computed tomography (CT) procedure. Six hundred and six patients (43%) had two or more chest CT procedures. Median CED was 6.02 (min–max:1.67–16.27) mSv. The number of patients who were exposed to ≤ 5 mSv were 149 (24.6%), whereas 457 patients (75.4%) were exposed to &gt;5 mSv.

Conclusion
The radiation exposure in COVID-19 patients seems unjustifiably high. Awareness should be increased as to the proper use of chest CT in COVID-19 as per to the society recommendations.
Examining Side Effect Variability of Antipsychotic Treatment in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: A Meta-analysis of Variance
Authors: Neumeier Maria S , Homan Stephanie , Vetter Stefan , Seifritz Erich , Kane John M , Huhn Maximilian , Leucht Stefan , Homan Philipp 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Side effects of antipsychotic drugs play a key role in nonadherence of treatment in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD). While clinical observations suggest that side effect variability between patients may be considerable, statistical evidence is required to confirm this. Here, we hypothesized to find larger side effect variability under treatment compared with control. We included double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adults with a diagnosis of SSD treated with 1 out of 14 antipsychotics. Standard deviations of the pre-post treatment differences of weight gain, prolactin levels, and corrected QT (QTc) times were extracted. The outcome measure was the variability ratio of treatment to control for individual antipsychotic drugs and the overall variability ratio of treatment to control across RCTs. Individual variability ratios were weighted by the inverse-variance method and entered into a random-effects model. We included N = 16 578 patients for weight gain, N = 16 633 patients for prolactin levels, and N = 10 384 patients for QTc time. Variability ratios (VR) were significantly increased for weight gain (VR = 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02–1.14; P = .004) and prolactin levels (VR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.17–1.62; P &lt; .001) but did not reach significance for QTc time (VR = 1.05; 95% CI: 0.98–1.12; P = 0.135). We found marked differences between individual antipsychotics and increased variability in side effects in patients under treatment with antipsychotics suggesting that subgroups of patients or individual patients may benefit from treatment allocation through stratified or personalized medicine.