bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Volumization of the young and the old temple using a highly cross‐linked HA filler
Authors: Müller Daniel S. , Prinz Valentina , Sulovsky Monika , Cajkovsky Mia , Cotofana Sebastian , Frank Konstantin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundA plethora of age‐related changes contribute to hollowing of the temples, as bone remodeling, atrophy of the temporalis muscle, thinning of the skin, and deflation of the subcutaneous and deep temporal fat create the appearance of a skeletonized face. In addition, previous studies have established a relationship between facial skeletonization, temporal hollowing, and postmenopausal sarcopenia.ObjectiveTo compare the volume change, adverse events, and patient satisfaction of soft‐tissue filler injections in the temple between young (<51) and old (>51) females.Material and MethodsA total of 30 women with a mean age of 53.1 ± 12.1 years underwent bilateral temporal volumization. Adverse events and satisfaction were assessed after 3 and 6 months. 3‐Dimensional surface imaging was performed at baseline and after 2 weeks, 3 and 6 months to assess volumetric changes.ResultsA mean volume of 5.55 ± 1.9 cc was injected into the temples. A total of 31 adverse events were observed in 13 patients. The overall satisfaction of the procedure was very high after 3 and 6 months in both patient groups, and raters showed a significant agreement in their assessment of the aesthetic improvement, while the self‐reported patient satisfaction was also substantially high. The surface‐volume coefficient differed significantly between 14 days and 3 months post‐injection only in pre‐menopausal patients, while no significant difference was detected between 3 and 6 months.ConclusionTemporal soft‐tissue filler injections are safe and provide long‐lasting aesthetic improvement both in pre‐ and postmenopausal women.
Effects of excessive dietary zinc or zinc/cadmium and tapeworm infection on the biochemical parameters in rats
Authors: Sloup Vladislav , Jankovská Ivana , Štolcová Magdalena , Magdálek Jan , Karešová Veronika , Lanková Sylva , Langrová Iva 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe main objective of this study was to determine which biochemical blood parameters can serve as indicators of Zn or Zn/Cd burden and tapeworm infection. This study was performed on 44 Wistar male rats during a 6‐week period, when rats were or were not fed a zinc/cadmium rich diet and were or were not infected with tapeworms (Hymenolepis diminuta). Total protein, albumin, urea, glucose, triacylglycerols, non‐esterified fatty acids, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, uric acid, Mg, Ca, P and Zn levels were analysed. Control rats with tapeworm infection had significantly higher (p ≤ 0.05) total protein, urea and phosphorus concentrations than did rats unaffected by any experimental factor. Rats given overdoses of zinc lactate exhibited significantly lower glucose levels than did the other rats, especially those infected with tapeworms. Low glucose level in uninfected rats indicate a Zn overdose; high doses of zinc lactate likely decrease levels of glucose via cortisol, which is released during stress. Rats fed the Zn/Cd hyperaccumulating plant Arabidopsis halleri and infected with tapeworms had significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) cholesterol and urea levels but lower zinc, triacylglycerol, and alkaline phosphatase levels than did rats fed the same diet but free of tapeworms. The increase of alkaline phosphatase level in uninfected rats may indicate both Zn/Cd burden and rat liver damage. Overall, this study not only supports the theory that H. diminuta can serve as a promising model for helminth therapy of the host mammal but also confirmed that this tapeworm is capable to protect somehow the host organism from the harmful effects of heavy metals.
Expression of the PEPT1, CAT, SOD2 and GPX1 genes in the zebrafish intestine supplemented with methionine dipeptide under predation risk
Authors: Casetta Jaísa , Ribeiro Ricardo Pereira , Lewandowski Vanessa , Khatlab Angélica de Souza , de Oliveira Neto Adhemar Rodrigues , Boscolo Wilson Rogério , Gasparino Eliane 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study evaluated the effect of methionine supplementation, predation risk and their interaction on gut histology, whole‐body cortisol levels, and intestinal gene expression in zebrafish. A total of 360 one‐year‐old animals were maintained under two environmental conditions and fed diets containing different methionine sources. Fish were fed either a control diet (CTL, without methionine supplementation), a diet supplemented with dl‐methionine (DLM), or a diet supplemented with methionine dipeptide (MM) in the absence (AP) of a predator or in the presence of the predator (PP) for 48 h or 20 days. Predator‐induced stress for 20 days resulted in lower body weight. Zebrafish fed methionine‐supplemented diets had higher weight gain than control fish. We found no effect of predation stress or methionine supplementation on cortisol level. Predation risk and methionine supplementation showed no interaction effect on dipeptide transporter gene expression. After 48 h of predation pressure, zebrafish had higher mRNA expression of SOD2, CAT and GPX1 in the gut. After 20 days of exposure to the predator, zebrafish fed methionine‐supplemented diets had lower expression of GPX1, SOD2 and CAT than those diet CTL. Methionine dipeptide and free methionine supplementation improved growth, intestinal health and survivability of zebrafish both conditions.
Utilization of pelleted and extruded feed by blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala: Insights from growth performance, health status and feed cost
Authors: He Chao‐Fan , Liu Wen‐Bin , Shi Hua‐Juan , Zhang Li , Zhang Ling , Li Xiang‐Fei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe present study was conducted to evaluate the utilization of both pelleted feed (PF) and extruded feed (EF) by blunt snout bream Megalobrama amblycephala based on growth performance, stress responses, innate immunity and disease resistance. Both the PF and EF were prepared with the same formula. Fish were divided randomly into 2 groups, including one fed the PF continuously and one offered the EF continuously. The whole feeding trial lasted 8 weeks, after which fish were subjected to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. The results showed that the feed intake, feed conversion ratio, hepatic total superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content, plasma complement 3 and complement 4 levels as well as myeloperoxidase activity of the EF group were all significantly lower than those of the PF group, while the opposite was true for the condition factor, the viscera index, the abdominal fat percentage, nitrogen and energy retention, hepatic malondialdehyde content, plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, lactate, total protein and globulin as well as the activities of plasma alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. In addition, the EF group also obtained relatively low activities of hepatic glutathione peroxidase and plasma acid phosphatase as well as high cumulative mortality rates at 24–96 h after Aeromonas hydrophila challenge. Furthermore, the feed cost of culturing this species with EF is lower than that with PF. These findings indicated that compared with PF, EF could increase the feed utilization and economic benefits of blunt snout bream, but reduce its anti‐stress ability, non‐specific immunity, A. hydrophila resistance and feed cost.
Composition of woody plant communities drives macrofungal community composition in three climatic regions
Authors: Li Huili , Guo Jiayu , Ye Lei , Gui Heng , Hyde Kevin David , Xu Jianchu , Mortimer Peter Edward 
Published: March 2021

AbstractQuestionsMacrofungi provide important ecosystem functions and economic value. However, their distributive patterns among woody plant communities and the influence of abiotic factors remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that: (a) the community composition and richness of woody plants are significantly positively correlated with macrofungal community composition and species richness; and (b) in addition to plant effects, abiotic factors (geography and climate) contribute significantly to the variability within macrofungal communities.LocationNorthwest (Zhongdian County), west (Baoshan City) and southwest (Xishuangbanna Autonomous Prefecture) Yunnan Province, China.MethodsWe investigated macrofungi, woody plants and abiotic factors at 30 plots across three climate types in Yunnan Province, China. We assessed the distributive patterns and driving factors of macrofungal communities in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.ResultsMacrofungal species richness did not significantly increase alongside woody plant species richness, while dissimilarities in macrofungal community compositions across the three climatic regions correlated significantly with woody plant communities, elevation, mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, longitude and latitude. Variation partitioning analysis indicated that variations in macrofungal community compositions were explicable by woody plant community composition, as well as by spatial and climatic factors. The Mantel test further revealed that woody plant functional groups shaped macrofungal functional groups. These results indicate that the distribution of macrofungi at the regional scale is mainly affected by woody plant communities, followed by spatial and climatic factors in the three climatic regions.ConclusionsWe concluded that dominant woody plant species could be used as indicators of macrofungal community compositions. Accordingly, applying knowledge on the dominant woody plant communities into forest management schemes could be an effective strategy for supporting macrofungal conservation.
Diversity and abundance of soil microbial communities decline, and community compositions change with severity of post‐logging fire
Authors: Ammitzboll Hans , Jordan Gregory J. , Baker Susan C. , Freeman Jules , Bissett Andrew 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the effects of logging and fire on forest soil communities is integral to our knowledge of forest ecology and effective resource management. The resulting changes in soil biota have substantial impacts on forest succession and associated ecosystem processes. We quantified bacterial and fungal abundance, diversity and community composition across a logging and burn severity gradient, approximately one month after fire, in temperate wet eucalypt forests in Tasmania, Australia. Using amplicon sequencing and real‐time quantitative PCR of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and fungal ITS1 region, we demonstrate that (i) burn severity is a strong driver of soil microbial community composition, (ii) logging and high severity burning substantially reduce the biomass and diversity of soil bacteria and fungi, and (iii) the impacts of logging and burning on soil microbial communities are largely restricted to the top 10 cm of soil, with weak impacts on the subsoil. The impacts of disturbance on microbial community composition are greater than the effects of site‐to‐site edaphic differences. Fire also drives more divergence in community composition than logging alone. Key microbial taxa driving differences in severely burnt soils include bacterial genera implicated in plant‐growth promotion and producing antifungal compounds as well as saprotrophic fungi that are also capable of forming ectomycorrhizal associations. Our research suggests that low‐moderate severity burns are important for maintaining diversity and biomass in soil microbial communities but having a range of burn severities across a site contributes to the overall diversity of habitat conditions providing for both microbial and plant diversity.
Social isolation causes downregulation of immune and stress response genes and behavioural changes in a social insect
Authors: Scharf Inon , Stoldt Marah , Libbrecht Romain , Höpfner Anna Lena , Jongepier Evelien , Kever Marion , Foitzik Susanne 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHumans and other social mammals experience isolation from their group as stressful, triggering behavioural and physiological anomalies that reduce fitness. While social isolation has been intensely studied in social mammals, it is less clear how social insects, which evolved sociality independently, respond to isolation. Here we examined whether the typical mammalian responses to social isolation, e.g., an impaired ability to interact socially and immune suppression are also found in social insects. We studied the consequences of social isolation on behaviour and brain gene expression in the antTemnothorax nylanderi. Following isolation, workers interacted moderately less with adult nestmates, increased the duration of brood contact, and reduced the time spent self‐grooming, an important sanitary behaviour. Our brain transcriptome analysis revealed that only a few behaviour‐related genes had altered their expression with isolation time. Rather, many genes linked to immune system functioning and stress response had been downregulated. This probably sensitizes isolated individuals to various stressors, in particular because isolated workers exhibit reduced sanitary behaviour. We provide evidence of the diverse consequences of social isolation in social insects, some of which resemble those found in social mammals, suggesting a general link between social well‐being, stress tolerance, and immune competence in social animals.
The medical pause: Importance, processes and training
Authors: Lee Joy Yeonjoo , Szulewski Adam , Young John Q. , Donkers Jeroen , Jarodzka Halszka , van Merriënboer Jeroen J. G. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractResearch has shown that taking ‘timeouts’ in medical practice improves performance and patient safety. However, the benefits of taking timeouts, or pausing, are not sufficiently acknowledged in workplaces and training programmes. To promote this acknowledgement, we suggest a systematic conceptualisation of the medical pause, focusing on its importance, processes and implementation in training programmes. By employing insights from educational and cognitive psychology, we first identified pausing as an important skill to interrupt negative momentum and bolster learning. Subsequently, we categorised constituent cognitive processes for pausing skills into two phases: the decision‐making phase (determining when and how to take pauses) and the executive phase (applying relaxation or reflection during pauses). We present a model that describes how relaxation and reflection during pauses can optimise cognitive load in performance. Several strategies to implement pause training in medical curricula are proposed: intertwining pause training with training of primary skills, providing second‐order scaffolding through shared control and employing auxiliary tools such as computer‐based simulations with a pause function.
The DNA transporter ComEC has metal‐dependent nuclease activity that is important for natural transformation
Authors: Silale Augustinas , Lea Susan M. , Berks Ben C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn the process of natural transformation bacteria import extracellular DNA molecules for integration into their genome. One strand of the incoming DNA molecule is degraded, whereas the remaining strand is transported across the cytoplasmic membrane. The DNA transport channel is provided by the protein ComEC. Many ComEC proteins have an extracellular C‐terminal domain (CTD) with homology to the metallo‐β‐lactamase fold. Here we show that this CTD binds Mn2+ ions and exhibits Mn2+‐dependent phosphodiesterase and nuclease activities. Inactivation of the enzymatic activity of the CTD severely inhibits natural transformation in Bacillus subtilis. These data suggest that the ComEC CTD is a nuclease responsible for degrading the nontransforming DNA strand during natural transformation and that this process is important for efficient DNA import.
Evaluation of activity and toxicity of combining clioquinol with ciclopirox and terbinafine in alternative models of dermatophytosis
Authors: da Costa Bárbara , Pippi Bruna , Berlitz Simone Jacobus , Carvalho Anderson Ramos , Teixeira Mario Lettieri , Külkamp‐Guerreiro Irene Clemes , Andrade Saulo F. , Fuentefria Alexandre Meneghello 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection that affects humans and is very common in small animals. The treatment using the most commonly used antifungals is failing, and new therapeutic alternatives are required to combat the resistance of these fungal infections. Previous studies by the group have shown that clioquinol is an important therapeutic alternative in the treatment of dermatophytosis. The object was to conduct studies of antidermatophytic activity and the irritant potential from the double and triple combinations of clioquinol, terbinafine and ciclopirox in ex vivo and in vivo alternative models. To evaluate the irritant potential of antifungal combinations, the alternative HET‐CAM method (chicken egg test chorioallantoic membrane) was used. Ex vivo models were used to assess the effectiveness of antifungal combinations, using pig hooves and veterinary fur. Any possible tissue damage was to assess through in histopathology of swine ears. HET‐CAM results showed that all combinations can be classified as non‐irritating, corroborated by the results of the histopathological evaluation of the pig's ear skin. Only the double combinations managed to remove 100% of the colony‐forming units (CFU) formed on the pig's hooves. The clioquinol + terbinafine combination and the triple combination were more effective than clioquinol + ciclopirox in eradicating the preformed biofilm in fur of veterinary origin. These results show the potential of formulations of clioquinol in combination with antifungals for use in humans and in the veterinary field to combat dermatophytosis, as an important alternative therapy, for use in the near future.
Analysis of contractile segment impedance during straight leg raise maneuver using high‐resolution impedance manometry increases diagnostic yield in reflux disease
Authors: Wong Ming‐Wun , Liu Tso‐Tsai , Yi Chih‐Hsun , Lei Wei‐Yi , Hung Jui‐Sheng , Omari Taher , Cock Charles , Liang Shu‐Wei , Gyawali Chandra Prakash , Chen Chien‐Lin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundContractile segment impedance (CSI) obtained from high‐resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) is a measure of mucosal integrity that predicts gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). While straight leg raise (SLR) maneuver augments esophageal peristaltic vigor, it remains unclear whether SLR affects CSI values. This study was aimed to evaluate whether CSI with SLR is feasible and useful to complement the diagnosis of GERD.MethodsWe prospectively recruited 48 patients with typical GERD symptoms who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy, HRIM with SLR maneuver, and multichannel intraluminal impedance‐pH (MII‐pH) testing. The capability of mean nocturnal baseline impedance (MNBI), resting baseline impedance (RBI), CSI with or without SLR maneuver in predicting GERD was assessed using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis.Key ResultsAmong 20 GERD patients and 28 non‐GERD patients, all values of impedance‐based metrics were lower in GERD patients compared to non‐GERD patients (p < 0.001). For GERD identification, area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) values of CSI with SLR maneuver, CSI, MNBI, and RBI were 0.901, 0.858, 0.865, and 0.797. Particularly in ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) patients, SLR maneuver increased mean distal contractile integral from 436 to 828.7 mmHg.s.cm (p = 0.018) and enhanced AUROC values of CSI for GERD identification from 0.917 to 0.958.Conclusions & InferencesCSI measurement during HRIM appears to be a reliable, time‐saving, and less invasive tool for complementing GERD diagnosis. Our results also suggest a simple SLR maneuver during HRIM could enhance diagnostic accuracy of CSI for GERD identification especially in IEM patients.
Anorectal manometry to diagnose dyssynergic defecation: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of diagnostic test accuracy
Authors: Ortengren Alexandra R. , Ramkissoon Resham A. , Chey William D. , Baker Jason R. , Staller Kyle , Iturrino Johanna , Shah Eric D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundChronic constipation is a common condition, and dyssynergic defecation underlies up to 40% of cases. Anorectal manometry is recommended to assess for dyssynergic defecation among chronically constipated patients but remains poorly standardized. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of anorectal manometry and determine optimal testing parameters.MethodsWe performed a systematic review with meta‐analysis of diagnostic test accuracy including cohort studies of chronically constipated patients and case–control studies of patients with dyssynergic defecation or healthy controls. Meta‐analysis was performed to determine summary sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).Key ResultsA total of 15 studies comprising 2140 patients were included. Including all studies (estimating optimal diagnostic accuracy), the AUC was 0.78 [95% CI 0.72–0.82], summary sensitivity was 79% [61%–90%], and summary specificity was 64% [44%–79%] to diagnose dyssynergic defecation. In cohort studies only (estimating real‐world diagnostic accuracy), the AUC was 0.72 [0.66–0.77], summary sensitivity was 86% [64%–95%], and summary specificity was 49% [30%–68%]. Employing three consecutive simulated defecation attempts improved sensitivity to 94%. A fourth simulated defecation maneuver with air insufflation may improve accuracy. Measuring anorectal pressures to identify complex dyssynergic patterns did not improve real‐world diagnostic accuracy estimates over anal pressure measurement alone. Choice of manometry system did not impact diagnostic accuracy.Conclusions & InferencesFollowing the current iteration of the London consensus protocol (three simulated defecation attempts measuring anal relaxation), the role of anorectal manometry in evaluating dyssynergic defecation appears limited. Future iterations of this protocol may improve diagnostic accuracy.
Reference high‐resolution manometry values after magnetic sphincter augmentation
Authors: Siboni Stefano , Ferrari Davide , Riva Carlo Galdino , Sozzi Marco , Lazzari Veronica , Milani Valentina , Bonavina Luigi 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundMagnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) is an innovative antireflux procedure that can improve lower esophageal sphincter (LES) competency and reduce symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Some patients report postoperative dysphagia. To date, no studies have described reference high‐resolution manometry (HRM) values after MSA implantation.MethodsHigh‐resolution manometry was performed in patients free of dysphagia after MSA with or without concurrent crura repair. Reference values for all parameters of the Chicago Classification were defined as those between the 5th and 95th percentiles. The contribution of concurrent crura repair to LES competency and to reference values was also analyzed.Key ResultsEighty‐four patients met the study inclusion criteria. The upper limit of normality for integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) and intrabolus pressure (IBP) was 20.2 mmHg and 30.3 mmHg, respectively. Both variables were higher after MSA compared to normative Chicago Classification v3.0 values. The Distal Contractile Integral upper limit was in the range of normality. Patients undergoing crura repair had a significantly higher IRP (p = 0.0378) and lower GERDQ‐A scores (p = 0.0374) and Reflux Symptom Index (p = 0.0030) compared to those who underwent MSA device implantation alone.Conclusion & InferencesThis study provides HRM reference values for patients undergoing successful MSA implantation. Crural repair appears to be a key component of LES augmentation and is associated with improved clinical outcomes.