bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-Term Trends in Juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon Abundance May Signal Recovery in the Hudson River, New York, USA
Authors: Pendleton Richard M. , Adams Robert D. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Overfishing, bycatch, and habitat loss and alteration during the late 19th century to the end of the 20th century caused significant declines in Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus stock abundances along the Atlantic coast. To prevent further stock reductions, a coastwide harvest moratorium was implemented in 1998. With fishery-dependent data unavailable to inform stock management, fishery-independent surveys contribute vital information for monitoring population trends by providing data for evaluating the effectiveness of the moratorium and for informing recovery planning. In 2004, a standardized monitoring survey was developed to assess trends in the relative abundance of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon in the Hudson River, New York. The multimesh anchored gill-net survey randomly sampled locations in soft, deep depositional areas of Haverstraw Bay from late February through early May. Predicted length-at-age relationships were used to infer annual age structure and to examine the relationships between age and annual catch rates. Generalized additive regression modeling was used to describe the relationships between the environmental variables and catch rates and to standardize the abundance index to account for variability in environmental conditions over time. Atlantic Sturgeon catch rates generally increased with increasing water temperature and salinity, and the standardized abundance index (accounting for environmental variability) was highly correlated with the nominal abundance index. In the 16 years of annual monitoring, there has been a significant increase in the relative abundance of juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon. The average catch rate in recent years (2012–2019) is more than twice that observed during the first 8 years (2004–2011) of the survey, as the effects of the moratorium are expected to be delayed due to the long maturation period of Atlantic Sturgeon. These trends suggest that juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon in the Hudson River may be recovering in response to the moratorium and demonstrate the need for long-term fisheries-independent monitoring to document abundance trends in slow-maturing, long-lived species.
Influence of Stocking Practices, Predation, and Reservoir Characteristics on the Growth and Recruitment of Saugeye
Authors: Budnik Richard R. , Kallis Jahn L. , Marschall Elizabeth A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Saugeye (female Walleye Sander vitreus × male Sauger S. canadensis) are stocked annually into Ohio reservoirs to maintain popular recreational fisheries. The growth and recruitment of stocked saugeye are highly variable among years and reservoirs, but the causes of this variability are not well understood. Using a multi-year (2004–2019), multi-reservoir (six reservoirs) data set, we implemented mixed-effects models and an information theoretic approach to identify possible predictors of saugeye poststocking growth and recruitment. Top-performing models (those with a difference in Akaike’s information criterion [ΔAICc] &lt;2) explained 38–40% of the variation in stocked saugeye growth (N = 4 models) and 36–47% of the variation in stocked saugeye recruitment (N = 9 models). Specifically, our growth models identified stocking day of year and mean summer (July–August) water temperature as significant predictors, with saugeye experiencing higher daily growth rates when fish were stocked earlier in the year and when summer water temperatures were warmer. Based on the results from our recruitment models, stocking density was identified as the only significant predictor, with greater stocking densities leading to stronger stocked saugeye recruitment. From these relationships, we predict that saugeye fishery production will be greater when managers stock greater densities of saugeye earlier in the year and when summer reservoir temperatures are higher. Despite identifying significant predictors, our models could not explain much of the variation in stocked saugeye growth and recruitment, revealing the complexity of growth and recruitment processes in Ohio reservoirs.
Relating American Eel Abundance to Environmental DNA Concentration in the Bronx River
Authors: Chin Sam Chew , Waldman John , Bednarski Mike , Camhi Merry , LaBelle Jake , Elizabeth Alter S. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
The American Eel Anguilla rostrata has experienced a marked population decline due to a multitude of threats, including pollution, overfishing, and damming. Government agencies responsible for American Eel management have identified gaps in survey coverage and understanding of habitat needs as critical obstacles to recovery. However, efforts to expand American Eel monitoring are hindered by this species’ resistance to capture, the wide variety of habitats in which they occur, and their extensive natural range, which would be cost prohibitive to survey using established techniques. Surveys based on analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) may offer an affordable and efficient means of closing these gaps. While eDNA methods are increasingly used as a rapid, minimally invasive means of detecting species presence, attempts to use them to produce quantitative estimates of abundance have yielded mixed results. In order to evaluate the viability of eDNA as a quantitative American Eel monitoring tool, we compared the concentration of American Eel DNA in water samples to estimates of numerical and biomass density measured by electrofishing in the Bronx River, New York. Our results revealed a strong, positive association between DNA concentration and numerical density but no relationship with biomass density. Mass-specific eDNA production rates were found to decline with mean American Eel weight. While further study will be required to determine whether the observed relationship between DNA concentration and numerical abundance is consistent across sites and whether it can be generalized to other systems, our findings suggest that eDNA will likely be a feasible and cost-effective option for surveying American Eel abundance throughout their range.
Efficacy and Temporal Capture Patterns of Bank Poles in the Kansas River: A Novel Sampling Tool for Catfish
Authors: Dean Quintin J. , Hamel Martin J. , Werner Jake P. , Pegg Mark A. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Setlines and trotlines are useful tools for sampling catfish populations. These gears offer an alternative to sampling in habitats or conditions that are unsuitable for traditional sampling gears, and they may be capable of sampling a different subset of the population. However, little is known about their efficacy as catfish sampling gear. We developed a standardized method for deploying setlines in the form of bank poles and assessed the catch rate, species composition, and efficacy of bank poles in the Kansas River, Kansas. We also used Lindgren-Pitman hook timers to investigate temporal patterns of capture, retention rates, and optimal soak duration. Bank poles (n = 897) were equipped with 6/0 circle hooks baited with Silver Carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix cut bait and were deployed overnight during the summers of 2018 and 2019. Bank poles captured a total of seven fish species, with 97% of the species composition being catfishes (n = 258; mean TL = 688 ± 182.7 mm; range = 392–1,310 mm). Blue Catfish Ictalurus furcatus (45%) was the most commonly captured species, followed by Channel Catfish I. punctatus (37%) and Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris (15%). The success rate for hooking and landing fish with bank poles was 29%. There was no difference between total catch rates from standard bank poles and those from bank poles equipped with hook timers. Higher catch rates were observed early in the set time for Channel and Flathead catfish, whereas a relatively steady catch rate was observed for Blue Catfish. Overall, 46% of catfish were caught within 3 h of gear deployment and 72% were caught within 5 h. We recommend adopting shortened soak durations (about 5 h) to prevent bait loss and to optimize fish retention. Our study provides an alternative sampling approach to increase the catch of large individuals and offers insight into the catch dynamics and interactions of passive angling gears.
Range Expansion and Factors Affecting Abundance of Invasive Flathead Catfish in the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers, Pennsylvania, USA
Authors: Smith Geoffrey D. , Massie Danielle L. , Perillo Joseph , Wagner Tyler , Pierce Daryl 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Flathead Catfish Pylodictis olivaris have been either intentionally or accidentally introduced into Atlantic Slope drainages extending from Florida to Pennsylvania and have quickly become established. In Pennsylvania, Flathead Catfish were first detected in the Schuylkill River at the Fairmont Dam in 1999 and in the Susquehanna River at Safe Harbor Dam in 2002. The species has since moved throughout the respective basins, with subsequent detections during 244 riverine surveys in these drainages. Fishway and electrofishing surveys in the tidal Schuylkill River, a Delaware River tributary, have documented an increase in abundances since 2004, when the surveys were first implemented. Hoop-net surveys in nontidal large-river reaches found mean (±SD) catch rates varying from 0.00 to 4.51 ± 4.38 fish/series. A Bayesian hierarchical Poisson regression model indicated that Flathead Catfish abundance decreased as the distance from the initial point of detection increased, demonstrating a general pattern of fish expansion upstream from the point of detection. The distance downstream of the nearest dam, although not significant, had a relatively high posterior probability of being negatively correlated with Flathead Catfish abundance. Ongoing and future targeted surveys should help to better understand changes in the distribution and abundance of Flathead Catfish in these systems.
An extended numerical manifold method for unsaturated soil‐water interaction analysis at micro‐scale
Authors: Sun Hao , Wu Zhijun , Zheng Liange , Yang Yongtao , Huang Da 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTo investigate unsaturated soil‐water interaction at micro‐scale, this study extends the numerical manifold method (NMM) by incorporating a soil‐water coupling model considering specific capillary water distribution and capillary force calculation. The soil skeleton is constructed by a soil skeleton generation algorithm with random polygons. To more realistically capture the interaction between soil grains and capillary water, a capillary mechanics‐based geometric algorithm is proposed to iteratively calculate the capillary water distribution. The capillary forces corresponding to the capillary water distribution are calculated based on the Young‐Laplace equation. The proposed capillary water solving framework is first verified by reproducing the soil‐water characteristic curve and the capillary water distribution of an ideal contact‐disk model against analytical solutions. To further validate the ability of the capillary water solving framework to predict hydraulic behavior of the real soil, a laboratory test on the Toyoura sand is reproduced numerically. Then an ideal direct shear test is performed to further validate the two‐way soil‐water coupling procedure, in which a comparison between the numerical and analytical results regarding the shear strength and matric suction is presented. Finally, microscopic hydraulic and compression tests are conducted on two soil specimens with the same porosity and mean grain diameter but different uniformity coefficients. The results elucidate that the extended method is a potential tool to explore unsaturated soil behaviors at micro‐scale.
Household Food Insecurity, Hair Cortisol, and Adiposity Among Tsimane’ Hunter‐Forager‐Horticulturalists in Bolivia
Authors: Bethancourt Hilary J. , Ulrich Matthew A. , Almeida David M. , Rosinger Asher Y. 
Published: April 2021

ObjectivesThis study examined how household food insecurity (HFI) and chronic stress relate to adiposity among Tsimane’ hunter‐forager‐horticulturalists in remote Bolivia with limited access to energy‐dense processed foods that promote weight gain among industrialized populations.MethodsRetrospective cross‐sectional data on HFI (via the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale [HFIAS]), hair cortisol concentration (HCC), adiposity (BMI, body fat percentage [%BF]), and sociodemographics were collected from 171 men, 164 women, and 167 children. Linear mixed‐effects models tested linear, quadratic, joint, and interactive relationships between adiposity measures and both the HFIAS score and HCC.ResultsAmong children, each 3‐point HFIAS score increase was associated with a 0.44‐point higher %BF (SE = 0.22, P = 0.04). However, each 20% increase in HCC was associated with a −0.29‐point difference in %BF (SE = 0.12, P = 0.01). Among men, a slight curvilinear relationship emerged between HFIAS and BMI. HFIAS and HCC were unrelated to adiposity measures among women. HCC did not modify relationships between HFIAS and adiposity in any subgroup.ConclusionsThese findings from a remote, small‐scale population suggest that positive associations between HFI and adiposity are not isolated to contexts of industrialized food environments and heavy reliance on processed foods. However, these dynamics and the role of stress appear to differ by sex and age group.
A case of MuSK antibody‐positive myasthenia gravis patient mimicking amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with four videofluoroscopic examinations
Authors: Kasahara Takashi , Ikeda Saori , Koyama Yuji , Toyokura Minoru , Masakado Yoshihisa 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAnti‐muscle‐specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibody‐positive myasthenia gravis (MG) patients sometimes present with bulbar symptoms such as tongue atrophy, nasal voice, dysarthria, or dysphagia and subsequent progressive weight loss. These symptoms may be confused with those of bulbar‐onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We performed four videofluoroscopic evaluations and investigated the clinical course of a MuSK‐MG patient before and after administration of intensive immunotherapies.
α4β7 Integrin expression and blockade in pediatric and young adult gastrointestinal graft‐versus‐host disease
Authors: Ibrahimova Azada , Davies Stella M. , Lane Adam , Jordan Michael B. , Lake Kelly , Litts Bridget , Chaturvedi Vijaya , Owsley Erika , Myers Kasiani C. , Nelson Adam S. , Mehta Parinda A. , Marsh Rebecca A. , Khandelwal Pooja 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundWe hypothesized that α4β7 integrin expression on effector memory T cells (TEMs) would be elevated in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients before and at diagnosis of acute gastrointestinal graft‐versus‐host disease (GI GVHD) symptoms compared to patients without GVHD, and that clinical blockade of α4β7 integrin with vedolizumab would be effective in pediatric GI GVHD.MethodsWe analyzed surface expression of α4β7 integrin on T cells from 48 pediatric allogeneic HSCT recipients from our biorepository with known clinical outcomes as follows: acute GI GVHD (n = 22), isolated skin GVHD (n = 12), and no GVHD (n = 14). T‐cell analyses were performed 1 week before and at GVHD diagnosis in patients with GVHD, and day +30 after HSCT in patients without GVHD. We describe clinical outcomes of seven additional patients, different from above‐described 48 patients, who received vedolizumab (anti‐α4β7 integrin antibody) for the treatment of steroid‐refractory acute GI GVHD.ResultsExpression of α4β7 integrin on CD8+ TEMs was upregulated in patients with GI GVHD compared to the no GI GVHD (skin GVHD + no GVHD) group 1 week prior to clinical symptoms (p = .02) and at acute GI GVHD diagnosis (p = .05). Four of seven treated patients with clinical steroid‐refractory acute GI GVHD were evaluable for response to vedolizumab. One patient had a complete response at day +28, while two had a partial response, and one had no response. No adverse effects directly attributable to vedolizumab were observed.ConclusionOur data suggest a rationale for the blockade of α4β7 integrin for acute GI GVHD management in children.
Proteome characterisation of extracellular vesicles isolated from heart
Authors: Claridge Bethany , Rai Alin , Fang Haoyun , Matsumoto Aya , Luo Jieting , McMullen Julie R. , Greening David W. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCardiac intercellular communication is critical for heart function and often dysregulated in cardiovascular diseases. While cardiac extracellular vesicles (cEVs) are emerging mediators of signalling, their isolation remains a technical challenge hindering our understanding of cEV protein composition. Here, we utilised Langendorff‐collagenase‐based enzymatic perfusion and differential centrifugation to isolate cEVs from mouse heart (yield 3–6 μg/heart). cEVs are ∼200 nm, express classical EV markers (Cd63/81/9+, Tsg101+, Pdcd6ip/Alix+), and are depleted of blood (Alb/Fga/Hba) and cardiac damage markers (Mb, Tnnt2, Ldhb). Comparison with mechanically‐derived EVs revealed greater detection of EV markers and decreased cardiac damage contaminants. Mass spectrometry‐based proteomic profiling revealed 1721 proteins in cEVs, implicated in proteasomal and autophagic proteostasis, glycolysis, and fatty acid metabolism; essential functions often disrupted in cardiac pathologies. There was striking enrichment of 942 proteins in cEVs compared to mouse heart tissue ‐ implicated in EV biogenesis, antioxidant activity, and lipid transport, suggesting active cargo selection and specialised function. Interestingly, cEVs contain marker proteins for cardiomyocytes, cardiac progenitors, B‐cells, T‐cells, macrophages, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and cardiac fibroblasts, suggesting diverse cellular origin. We present a method of cEV isolation and provide insight into potential functions, enabling future studies into EV roles in cardiac physiology and disease.
Macromolecular regulators have matching effects on the phase equilibrium and interfacial tension of biomolecular condensates
Authors: Mazarakos Konstantinos , Zhou Huan‐Xiang 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe interfacial tension of phase‐separated biomolecular condensates affects their fusion and multiphase organization, and yet how this important property depends on the composition and interactions of the constituent macromolecules is poorly understood. Here we use molecular dynamics simulations to determine the interfacial tension and phase equilibrium of model condensate‐forming systems. The model systems consist of binary mixtures of Lennard‐Jones particles or chains of such particles. We refer to the two components as drivers and regulators; the former has stronger self‐interactions and hence a higher critical temperature (Tc) for phase separation. In previous work, we have shown that, depending on the relative strengths of driver‐regulator and driver‐driver interactions, regulators can either promote or suppress phase separation (i.e., increase or decrease Tc). Here we find that the effects of regulators on Tc quantitatively match the effects on interfacial tension (γ). This important finding means that, when a condensate‐forming system experiences a change in macromolecular composition or a change in intermolecular interactions (e.g., by mutation or posttranslational modification, or by variation in solvent conditions such as temperature, pH, or salt), the resulting change in Tc can be used to predict the change in γ and vice versa. We also report initial results showing that disparity in intermolecular interactions drives multiphase coexistence. These findings provide much needed guidance for understanding how biomolecular condensates mediate cellular functions.
Effectiveness of supplementation with quercetin‐type flavonols for treatment of viral lower respiratory tract infections: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of preclinical studies
Authors: Brito Júlio César Moreira , Lima William Gustavo , Cordeiro Lídia Pereira B. , da Cruz Nizer Waleska Stephanie 
Published: April 2021

Viral infections of the lower respiratory tract are considered a public health problem. They affect millions of people worldwide, causing thousands of deaths, and are treated with expensive medicines, such as antivirals or palliative measures. In this study, we conducted a systematic review to describe the use of quercetin‐type flavonols against lower respiratory tract viruses and discussed the preclinical impact of this approach on different signs and clinical mechanisms of infection. The systematic review was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Scielo, and Biblioteca Virtual de Saúde (BVS). After the database search, 11 relevant studies were identified as eligible. The analysis of these studies showed evidence of antiviral activity of quercetin‐type flavonols with significantly reduced mortality rate (M‐H = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.65, p‐value = 0.008) of infected animals and a reduction in the average viral load (IV = −1.93, 95% CI: −3.54 to −0.31, p‐value = 0.02). Additionally, quercetin and its derivatives reduced the amount of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, reactive oxygen species, mucus production, and airway resistance in animals infected with a respiratory virus. Overall, supplementation with quercetin‐type flavonols is a promising strategy for treating viral‐induced lower respiratory tract infections.
Optimizing sulfate pyrolysis triple oxygen isotope analysis for samples from desert environments
Authors: Klipsch Swea , Herwartz Daniel , Staubwasser Michael 
Published: April 2021

RationaleThe triple oxygen isotope composition of sulfate may reveal the formation pathway and depositional sources and may indicate slow biologic cycling in the environment. Pyrolysis mass spectrometry is better suited for large sample workloads during environmental profiling but sufficient precision and a thorough verification of accuracy are required for comparison with higher precision laser fluorination data.MethodsQuantitative sulfate extraction from soil samples at neutral pH, purification, conversation into Ag‐sulfate, and pyrolysis mass spectrometry were modified for high sample throughput. Samples were analyzed after pyrolysis in quartz cups and gold capsules in a modified EuroVector model 3000 elemental analyzer. Sample O2 was measured in continuous He‐flow after purification by cryo‐trapping and chromatography on a Thermo Finnigan MAT253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer. A protocol for routine quality control and data normalization ensures long‐term accuracy of the pyrolysis method.ResultsThe 1σ SD external reproducibility is 0.12‰ for Δ17OSO4 values on 30 μmol samples. Careful normalization for a daily analytical session accounts for changing pyrolysis conditions over the course of multiple sessions. The precision and accuracy obtained with quartz cups are comparable with those obtained with gold capsules. Pyrolysis and fluorination data for in‐house standards from four laboratories and from an Atacama Desert gypsum‐soil profile are identical and demonstrate the accuracy of our simplified method.ConclusionsPyrolysis of sulfate in quartz cups and a modified simple elemental analyzer setup allows for accurate, precise, fast, cost‐efficient, and non‐hazardous mass spectrometric analysis. Exchangeability of data from pyrolysis and laser fluorination methods was demonstrated by repeat analysis of standards and natural samples despite high contents of interfering, easily soluble nitrates and chlorides.