bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evidence that synaptic plasticity of glutamatergic inputs onto KNDy neurones during the ovine follicular phase is dependent on increasing levels of oestradiol
Authors: Porter Danielle T. , Goodman Robert L. , Hileman Stanley M. , Lehman Michael N. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNeurones in the arcuate nucleus co‐expressing kisspeptin, neurokinin B (NKB) and dynorphin (KNDy) play a critical role in the control of gonadotrophin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinising hormone (LH) secretion. In sheep, KNDy neurones mediate both steroid‐negative‐ and ‐positive‐feedback during pulsatile and preovulatory surge secretions of GnRH/LH, respectively. In addition, KNDy neurones receive glutamatergic inputs expressing vGlut2, a glutamate transporter that serves as a marker for those terminals, from both KNDy neurones and other populations of glutamatergic neurones. Previous work reported higher numbers of vGlut2‐positive axonal inputs onto KNDy neurones during the LH surge than in luteal phase ewes. In the present study, we further examined the effects of the ovarian steroids progesterone (P) and oestradiol (E2) on glutamatergic inputs to KNDy neurones. Ovariectomised (OVX) ewes received either no further treatment (OVX) or steroid treatments that mimicked the luteal phase (low E2 + P), and early (low E2) or late follicular (high E2) phases of the oestrous cycle (n = 4 or 5 per group). Brain sections were processed for triple‐label immunofluorescent detection of NKB/vGlut2/synaptophysin and analysed using confocal microscopy. We found higher numbers of vGlut2 inputs onto KNDy neurones in high E2 compared to the other three treatment groups. These results suggest that synaptic plasticity of glutamatergic inputs onto KNDy neurones during the ovine follicular phase depend on increasing levels of E2 required for the preovulatory GnRH/surge. These synaptic changes likely contribute to the positive‐feedback action of oestrogen on GnRH/LH secretion and thus the generation of the preovulatory surge in the sheep.
Information Models Offer Value to Standardize Electronic Health Record Flowsheet Data: A Fall Prevention Exemplar
Authors: Lytle Kay S. , Westra Bonnie L. , Whittenburg Luann , Adams Mischa , Akre Mari , Ali Samira , Furukawa Meg , Hartleben Stephanie , Hook Mary , Johnson Steven G. , Settergren Theresa (Tess) , Thibodeaux Mariaelena 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeThe rapid implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) resulted in a lack of data standardization and created considerable difficulty for secondary use of EHR documentation data within and between organizations. While EHRs contain documentation data (input), nurses and healthcare organizations rarely have useable documentation data (output). The purpose of this article is to describe a method of standardizing EHR flowsheet documentation data using information models (IMs) to support exchange, quality improvement, and big data research. As an exemplar, EHR flowsheet metadata (input) from multiple organizations was used to validate a fall prevention IM.DesignA consensus‐based, qualitative, descriptive approach was used to identify a minimum set of essential fall prevention data concepts documented by staff nurses in acute care. The goal was to increase generalizable and comparable nurse‐sensitive data on the prevention of falls across organizations for big data research.MethodsThe research team conducted a retrospective, observational study using an iterative, consensus‐based approach to map, analyze, and evaluate nursing flowsheet metadata contributed by eight health systems. The team used FloMap software to aggregate flowsheet data across organizations for mapping and comparison of data to a reference IM. The FloMap analysis was refined with input from staff nurse subject matter experts, review of published evidence, current documentation standards, Magnet Recognition nursing standards, and informal fall prevention nursing use cases.FindingsFlowsheet metadata analyzed from the EHR systems represented 6.6 million patients, 27 million encounters, and 683 million observations. Compared to the original reference IM, five new IM classes were added, concepts were reduced by 14 (from 57 to 43), and 157 value set items were added. The final fall prevention IM incorporated 11 condition or age‐specific fall risk screening tools and a fall event details class with 14 concepts.ConclusionThe iterative, consensus‐based refinement and validation of the fall prevention IM from actual EHR fall prevention flowsheet documentation contributes to the ability to semantically exchange and compare fall prevention data across multiple health systems and organizations. This method and approach provides a process for standardizing flowsheet data as coded data for information exchange and use in big data research.Clinical RelevanceOpportunities exist to work with EHR vendors and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to implement standardized IMs within EHRs to expand interoperability of nurse‐sensitive data.
Interstates of Infection: Preliminary Investigations of Human Mobility Patterns in the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Souch Jacob M. , Cossman Jeralynn S. , Hayward Mark D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeThe COVID‐19 pandemic has illuminated various heterogeneities between urban and rural environments in public health. The SARS‐CoV‐2 virus initially spread into the United States from international ports of entry and into urban population centers, like New York City. Over the course of the pandemic, cases emerged in more rural areas, implicating issues of transportation and mobility. Additionally, many rural areas developed into national hotspots of prevalence and transmission. Our aim was to investigate the preliminary impacts of road travel on the spread of COVID‐19. This investigation has implications for future public health mitigation efforts and travel restrictions in the United States.MethodsCounty‐level COVID‐19 data were analyzed for spatiotemporal patterns in time‐to‐event distributions using animated choropleth maps. Data were obtained from The New York Times and the Bureau of the Census. The arrival event was estimated by examining the number of days between the first reported national case (January 21, 2020) and the date that each county attained a given prevalence rate. Of the 3108 coterminous US counties, 2887 were included in the analyses. Data reflect cases accumulated between January 21, 2020, and May 17, 2020.FindingsAnimations revealed that COVID‐19 was transmitted along the path of interstates. Quantitative results indicated rural–urban differences in the estimated arrival time of COVID‐19. Counties that are intersected by interstates had an earlier arrival than non‐intersected counties. The arrival time difference was the greatest in the most rural counties and implicates road travel as a factor of transmission into rural communities.ConclusionHuman mobility via road travel introduced COVID‐19 into more rural communities. Interstate travel restrictions and road travel restrictions would have supported stronger mitigation efforts during the earlier stages of the COVID‐19 pandemic and reduced transmission via network contact.
Health‐related quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors: Evaluating the rural disadvantage
Authors: Adamowicz Jenna L. , Christensen Alan , Howren M. Bryant , Seaman Aaron T. , Kendell Nicholas D. , Wardyn Shylo , Pagedar Nitin A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPurposeHead and neck cancer (HNC) survivors often experience distress and health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) impairment. Research suggests that rural cancer patients may have poorer outcomes than urban patients. This study examined whether HNC patient emotional and HRQOL outcomes differ in those living in a rural versus urban location at 6 and 12 months postdiagnosis.MethodsA total of 261 HNC patients were included from a longitudinal study of HNC outcomes. The majority were diagnosed with advanced stage cancer (51.3%); the most common cancer site was oral cavity (41.0%). Rurality was measured using the US Department of Agriculture Rural Urban Commuting Area codes. Depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), general HRQOL using the Short Form‐36 (SF‐36), and HNC‐specific HRQOL using the Head and Neck Cancer Inventory (HNCI). Analyses were 2 (group) × 3 (assessment) repeated measures ANCOVAs, controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics.FindingsApproximately 45% of the sample lived in a rural location. Follow‐up comparisons of significant overall models indicated that rural patients reported significantly more nonsomatic depression symptoms at 6‐month follow‐up. Rural patients were also more likely to report significantly poorer general mental HRQOL at 12‐month follow‐up, significantly poorer HNC‐specific HRQOL related to eating at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up, and marginally worse aesthetics at 12‐month follow‐up.ConclusionsThese findings are consistent with suggestions that rural HNC patients may be at heightened risk for depression symptoms and decrements in HRQOL. Patients should be screened and regularly monitored for issues with depression and HNC‐specific HRQOL throughout the survivorship period.
Resistance‐associated substitutions after sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir triple therapy failure
Authors: Garcia‐Cehic Damir , Rando Ariadna , Rodriguez‐Frias Francisco , Gregori Josep , Costa Juan Garcia , Carrión José Antonio , Macenlle Ramiro , Pamplona Javier , Castro‐Iglesias Angeles , Cañizares Angelina , Tabernero David , Campos Carolina , Buti Maria , Esteban Juan Ignacio , Quer Josep 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDirect‐acting antivirals (DAAs) resolve chronic HCV infection in >95% of patients, but a small percentage do not respond to DAA‐based therapy. These may be difficult to treat because of resistance‐associated substitutions (RAS) emerging after treatment failure. Triple therapy with sofosbuvir (SOF)/velpatasvir (VEL)/voxilaprevir (VOX) is the recommended retreatment after DAA‐based failure. However, in rare cases, failure to triple therapy occurs, and there is little information characterizing the viruses that relapse. To determine the RAS profile after failing SOF/VEL/VOX, and seek suitable alternatives for retreatment, samples from 5 patients were analysed using MiSeq Illumina deep sequencing before and after triple therapy. All patients were men, aged 59–78 years, 2 HCV genotype (G) 1b and 3 G3a. The most prevalent NS3 substitutions after SOF/VEL/VOX failure were Y56F and A166T. Four patients had the NS5A RAS, Y93H, after triple failure, and Y93H was observed in both G1b patients before retreatment and after SOF/ledipasvir failure. In 2 G3a patients, Y93H appeared at triple failure, and on the other G3a, A30K persisted in 100% of viral genomes. Finally, G1b patients showed C316N in NS5B, associated with SOF failure, but G3a patients had no known NS5B substitutions. HCV RAS analysis identified the following substitutions present at higher rates after triple failure: Y56F in NS3 (G1b), A166T in NS3 (G3a), A30K or Y93H in NS5A, and C316N in NS5B (G1b). A RAS‐based salvage treatment (SOF + glecaprevir/pibrentasvir + RBV) was successfully used in one G3a patient.
Pharmacokinetics and pulmonary distribution of Draxxin®(tulathromycin) in healthy adult horses
Authors: Leventhal Hannah R. , McKenzie Harold C. , Estell Krista , Council‐Troche McAlister , Davis Jennifer L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and tolerability of tulathromycin (Draxxin®; 2.5 mg/kg once) after intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SC), and slow intravenous (IV) administration to six adult horses. A three‐phase design and 4‐week washout period were used. Drug concentrations in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were determined by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and pharmacokinetic parameters calculated using noncompartmental analysis. Following SC and IM administration, all horses exhibited sweating, discomfort, and periods of recumbency. As signs were more severe after SC administration this route was only used in 3/6 horses. Intravenous administration of tulathromycin was well tolerated in all horses. Mean bioavailability was 99.4% IM and 115% SC. Mean maximum plasma concentration was 645 ng/ml IM and 373 ng/ml SC. Mean half‐life was 59.8 h, 54.8 h, and 57.9 h for IV, IM, and SC administration, respectively. Mean clearance was 3.25 ml/kg/min, and mean volume of distribution was 16.8 L/kg following IV administration. Drug was detectable in plasma and BAL samples for 120 h following all routes; however, adverse effects may prevent IM use and SC use is not recommended. Tulathromycin may be a practical and affordable antimicrobial for use in adult equine patients.
The char of migration inhibitory factor and Cathepsin B from Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) and their response to challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Du Zongjun , Wang Tianzhu , Lin Rongnan , Luo Wei , Wu Qing , Wang Dongjie , Xu Zhou , Wen Anxiang 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAeromonas hydrophila causes sepsis and is responsible for significant economic losses in Asian finless eel (Monopterus albus) aquaculture. Previous studies have found that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and Cathepsin B (CTSB) may be expressed in many vertebrate tissues and organs. However, there have been no reports discussing the importance of MIF and CTSB in Asian swamp eel. The complete ORF sequences of MAMIF and MACTSB were found to be 348 and 993 bp, respectively. The adaptive analysis showed that the sequences of MAMIF and MACTSB were highly conserved, and only two positive selection sites were identified in MAMIF. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) demonstrated that MAMIF and MACTSB genes were expressed in all tissues evaluated with the highest expression occurring in the head kidney, spleen and liver. Challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila resulted in a significant increase in the expression of MAMIF and MACTSB in skin, liver, head kidney and spleen that peaked at 12‐h post‐infection. The results show that MAMIF and MACTSB play important roles in the immune function of Monopterus albus.
Characterization of the gut‐liver‐muscle axis in cirrhotic patients with sarcopenia
Authors: Ponziani Francesca Romana , Picca Anna , Marzetti Emanuele , Calvani Riccardo , Conta Giorgia , Del Chierico Federica , Capuani Giorgio , Faccia Mariella , Fianchi Francesca , Funaro Barbara , Josè Coelho‐Junior Helio , Petito Valentina , Rinninella Emanuele , Paroni Sterbini Francesco , Reddel Sofia , Vernocchi Pamela , Cristina Mele Maria , Miccheli Alfredo , Putignani Lorenza , Sanguinetti Maurizio , Pompili Maurizio , Gasbarrini Antonio ,   the GuLiver study group
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground & AimSarcopenia is frequent in cirrhosis and is associated with unfavourable outcomes. The role of the gut‐liver‐muscle axis in this setting has been poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to identify gut microbiota, metabolic and inflammatory signatures associated with sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients.MethodsFifty cirrhotic patients assessed for the presence of sarcopenia by the quantification of muscle mass and strength were compared with age‐ and sex‐matched controls. A multiomic analysis, including gut microbiota composition and metabolomics, serum myokines and systemic and intestinal inflammatory mediators, was performed.ResultsThe gut microbiota of sarcopenic cirrhotic patients was poor in bacteria associated with physical function (Methanobrevibacter, Prevotella and Akkermansia), and was enriched in Eggerthella, a gut microbial marker of frailty. The abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as Klebsiella, was also increased, to the detriment of autochthonous ones. Sarcopenia was associated with elevated serum levels of pro‐inflammatory mediators and of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in cirrhotic patients. Gut microbiota metabolic pathways involved in amino acid, protein and branched‐chain amino acid metabolism were up‐regulated, in addition to ethanol, trimethylamine and dimethylamine production. Correlation networks and clusters of variables associated with sarcopenia were identified, including one centred on Klebsiella/ethanol/FGF21/Eggerthella/Prevotella.ConclusionsAlterations in the gut‐liver‐muscle axis are associated with sarcopenia in patients with cirrhosis. Detrimental but also compensatory functions are involved in this complex network.
Using seasonal genomic changes to understand historical adaptation to new environments: Parallel selection on stickleback in highly‐variable estuaries
Authors: Garcia‐Elfring Alan , Paccard Antoine , Thurman Timothy J. , Wasserman Ben A. , Palkovacs Eric P. , Hendry Andrew P. , Barrett Rowan D. H. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractParallel evolution is considered strong evidence for natural selection. However, few studies have investigated the process of parallel selection as it plays out in real time. The common approach is to study historical signatures of selection in populations already well adapted to different environments. Here, to document selection under natural conditions, we study six populations of threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) inhabiting bar‐built estuaries that undergo seasonal cycles of environmental changes. Estuaries are periodically isolated from the ocean due to sandbar formation during dry summer months, with concurrent environmental shifts that resemble the long‐term changes associated with postglacial colonization of freshwater habitats by marine populations. We used pooled whole‐genome sequencing to track seasonal allele frequency changes in six of these populations and search for signatures of natural selection. We found consistent changes in allele frequency across estuaries, suggesting a potential role for parallel selection. Functional enrichment among candidate genes included transmembrane ion transport and calcium binding, which are important for osmoregulation and ion balance. The genomic changes that occur in threespine stickleback from bar‐built estuaries could provide a glimpse into the early stages of adaptation that have occurred in many historical marine to freshwater transitions.
Sex‐linked genetic diversity and differentiation in a globally distributed avian species complex
Authors: Schield Drew R. , Scordato Elizabeth S. C. , Smith Chris C. R. , Carter Javan K. , Cherkaoui Sidi Imad , Gombobaatar Sundev , Hajib Said , Hanane Saad , Hund Amanda K. , Koyama Kazuo , Liang Wei , Liu Yang , Magri Najib , Rubtsov Alexander , Sheta Basma , Turbek Sheela P. , Wilkins Matthew R. , Yu Liu , Safran Rebecca J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSex chromosomes often bear distinct patterns of genetic variation due to unique patterns of inheritance and demography. The processes of mutation, recombination, genetic drift and selection also influence rates of evolution on sex chromosomes differently than autosomes. Measuring such differences provides information about how these processes shape genomic variation and their roles in the origin of species. To test hypotheses and predictions about patterns of autosomal and sex‐linked genomic diversity and differentiation, we measured population genetic statistics within and between populations and subspecies of the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) and performed explicit comparisons between autosomal and Z‐linked genomic regions. We first tested for evidence of low Z‐linked genetic diversity and high Z‐linked population differentiation relative to autosomes, then for evidence that the Z chromosome bears greater ancestry information due to faster lineage sorting. Finally, we investigated geographical clines across hybrid zones for evidence that the Z chromosome is resistant to introgression due to selection against hybrids. We found evidence that the barn swallow mating system, demographic history and linked selection each contribute to low Z‐linked diversity and high Z‐linked differentiation. While incomplete lineage sorting is rampant across the genome, our results indicate faster sorting of ancestral polymorphism on the Z. Finally, hybrid zone analyses indicate barriers to introgression on the Z chromosome, suggesting that sex‐linked traits are important in reproductive isolation, especially in migratory divide regions. Our study highlights how selection, gene flow and demography shape sex‐linked genetic diversity and underlines the relevance of the Z chromosome in speciation.
The flavodoxin FldA activates the class Ia ribonucleotide reductase of Campylobacter jejuni
Authors: Alqurashi Abdulmajeed , Alfs Laura , Swann Jordan , Butt Julea N. , Kelly David J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCampylobacter jejuni is a microaerophilic zoonotic pathogen with an atypical respiratory Complex I that oxidizes a flavodoxin (FldA) instead of NADH. FldA is essential for viability and is reduced via pyruvate and 2‐oxoglutarate oxidoreductases (POR/OOR). Here, we show that FldA can also be reduced by FqrB (Cj0559), an NADPH:FldA reductase. An fqrB deletion mutant was viable but displayed a significant growth defect. FqrB is related to flavoprotein reductases from Gram‐positive bacteria that can reduce NrdI, a specialized flavodoxin that is needed for tyrosyl radical formation in NrdF, the beta subunit of class 1b‐type (Mn) ribonucleotide reductase (RNR). However, C. jejuni possesses a single class Ia‐type (Fe) RNR (NrdAB) that would be expected to be ferredoxin dependent. We show that CjFldA is an unusually high potential flavodoxin unrelated to NrdI, yet growth of the fqrB mutant, but not the wild‐type or a complemented strain, was stimulated by low deoxyribonucleoside (dRNS) concentrations, suggesting FldA links FqrB and RNR activity. Using purified proteins, we confirmed the NrdB tyrosyl radical could be regenerated in an NADPH, FqrB, and FldA dependent manner, as evidenced by both optical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Thus, FldA activates RNR in C. jejuni, partly explaining its essentiality.
Direct foliar uptake of phosphorus from desert dust
Authors: Gross Avner , Tiwari Sudeep , Shtein Ilana , Erel Ran 
Published: March 2021

Summary

Phosphorus (P) scarcity constrains plant growth in many ecosystems worldwide. In P‐poor ecosystems, the biogeochemical paradigm links plant productivity with the deposition of P‐rich dust originating from desert storms. However, dust P usually has low bioavailability and is thought to be utilized solely via roots.

We applied desert dust on the leaf surface of P‐deficient and P‐sufficient wheat, chickpea and maize to test the feasibility of direct foliar uptake of dust‐P and investigate its related acquisition mechanisms.

Foliar dust doubled the growth of P‐deficient chickpea and wheat, crops originating near the Syrian Desert. P deficiency stimulated several leaf modifications that enabled acquisition of up to 30% of the sparingly soluble dust‐P that is conventionally perceived as unavailable. These modifications increased foliar dust capture, acidified the leaf surface and, in chickpea, enhanced exudation of P‐solubilizing organic acids. Maize (originating far from deserts) displayed only a marginal response to dust.

The dramatic response of chickpea and wheat in comparison to maize suggests that plants that evolved in dust‐rich ecosystems adopted specialized utilization strategies. Interestingly, the abovementioned foliar responses are comparable to known P uptake root responses. Given that P limitation is almost universal, a foliar P uptake pathway will have significant ecological and agricultural implications.