bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate‐mediated shifts toward bunchgrass dominance 40 years after grazing cessation in Saguaro National Park, Arizona, USA
Authors: Summers Ryan , Hovland Matthew , Gibson Yvette , Mata‐González Ricardo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractQuestionsVegetation transects were surveyed in Saguaro National Park, Arizona, in 1976 and 2007 as part of a grazing study. We resurveyed the same transects in 2018 and accessed fire and climate data in order to examine trends in plant community structure. We asked the question: has the plant community shifted in species’ density, canopy cover and diversity in the past 40 years since grazing cessation? And if so, do these shifts favor a specific species, or plant functional guild? We also asked if climate and time since fire influenced plant community structure?LocationSaguaro National Park East is located in the Sonoran Desert and Madrean Sky Island ecoregion interface in Tucson, Arizona, United States.MethodsPlots (10) were 20 m × 50 m, with 21 20‐m transects within each plot used to gather plant canopy cover and density of perennial species with the line‐intercept method. Data were aggregated by plot and analyzed using generalized linear mixed‐effects modeling and non‐metric multi‐dimensional scaling.ResultsOverall canopy cover, density, and Shannon diversity increased significantly between 1976 and 2018. Ferns, forbs, graminoids, subshrubs and vines increased significantly in cover and density between 1976 and 2018. Wildfire recency was significantly negatively correlated with forb density, and density or cover of five dominant species (mostly woody). Shifts in plant community structure between survey years was correlated with increased temperature, precipitation, and vapor pressure differential.ConclusionAfter 40 years of grazing cessation, significant increases in herbaceous cover, and a lack of significant increase in woody encroachment are signs of recovery. Increases in temperature may be responsible for accelerating shifts to warm‐season species‐dominant communities. Fire was unexpectedly not a significant factor in plant community structure; however, park management will likely need to address increased wildfire risk given the increase in herbaceous cover and density.
A patient with generalized myasthenia gravis facing an impending crisis triggered by early fast‐acting treatment
Authors: Tamaki Kana , Nishida Yoichiro , Sanjo Nobuo , Yokota Takanori 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundAn aggressive therapeutic strategy used in the early stages of generalized myasthenia gravis (MG), called early fast‐acting treatment (EFT), involves the use of plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin and/or intravenous high‐dose methylprednisolone (IVMP). The EFT strategy has been proven to have advantages in achieving a treatment goal of MG, minimal manifestations or better with oral prednisolone at a dose of ≤5 mg/day.Case presentationA 72‐year‐old woman with anti‐acetylcholine receptor antibody‐positive MG underwent EFT. Even a modified IVMP regimen with a reduced dose of just 250 mg/day for 2 days, given after six cycles of plasmapheresis and 10 mg/day of oral prednisolone for 5 days, triggered a severe myasthenic exacerbation. Subsequent intravenous immunoglobulin therapy successfully averted a crisis.ConclusionsSuch acute exacerbation after just 250 mg/day of IVMP for 2 days is rare. However, caution is required when using IVMP for EFT of MG, because the risk factors for exacerbation after IVMP use, and the best approach for treating the exacerbation, are not yet known.
Insulin induces a progressive increase in the resistance of subcutaneous tissue to fluid flow: Implications for insulin pump therapy
Authors: Regittnig Werner , Tschaikner Mathias , Tuca Alexandru‐Cristian , Simic Amra , Feiel Jürgen , Schaller‐Ammann Roland , Licht Alexander H. , Jungklaus Miró , Pieber Thomas R. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAimTo determine the effect of insulin on the resistance of subcutaneous tissue to the flow of infusion fluids.Materials and methodsThirty subjects with type 1 diabetes wore two Accu‐Chek Spirit Combo insulin pumps with Accu‐Chek FlexLink infusion sets (Roche Diabetes Care, Mannheim, Germany) for 7 days. One pump was filled with insulin aspart (Novo Nordisk, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) and used for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). The other pump was filled with insulin diluting medium (IDM; Novo Nordisk) and used to deliver IDM subcutaneously at rates identical to those employed for CSII. Both infusion sites were assessed daily by measuring the pressure required to infuse various bolus amounts of IDM.ResultsOn day 1, maximum pressure (Pmax) and tissue flow resistance (TFR; calculated from measured pressure profiles) were similar for both infusion sites (P > 0.20). During the subsequent study days, the Pmax and TFR values observed at the IDM infusion site remained at levels comparable to those seen on day 1 (P > 0.13). However, at the site of CSII, Pmax and TFR progressively increased with CSII duration. By the end of day 7, Pmax and TFR reached 25.8 */2.11 kPa (geometric mean */geometric standard deviation) and 8.64 */3.48 kPa*s/μL, respectively, representing a remarkable 3.5‐ and 20.6‐fold increase relative to the respective Pmax and TFR values observed on day 1 (P < 0.001).ConclusionOur results suggest that insulin induces a progressive increase in the resistance of subcutaneous tissue to the introduction of fluid; this has important implications for the future design of insulin pumps and infusion sets.
Parents' assessment of students' social emotional learning competencies: The SSIS SEL brief scales‐parent version
Authors: Elliott Stephen N. , Anthony Christopher J. , Lei Pui‐wa , DiPerna James C. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of this research was to develop a brief version of the well‐established Social Skills Improvement System Social Emotional Learning (SSIS SEL) Parent Rating Form (2017) so that parents' voices are heard by schools where programs to facilitate children's social emotional learning (SEL) are increasingly popular.BackgroundParents' observations of their children's social emotional skills based on social interactions within a family are potentially rich, but parents typically have not been included in universal SEL screenings conducted by schools. This information can contribute to a more complete picture of children's social emotional functioning and status.MethodUsing an item response theory approach, items rated by parents on the SSIS SEL Rating Form were selected to maintain content representation and maximize estimated information while minimizing differential item functioning across gender and ethnicity. The parent ratings were for a nationally representative sample of 2,400 students grades K–12.ResultsInitial evidence of reliability and validity for the resulting brief scales supports their use by parents for low‐stakes assessment of SEL skill development.ConclusionThis new assessment holds promise for meaningfully documenting parents' observations of their children's SEL skills at home and in the community.ImplicationsThe SSIS SEL Brief—Parent can be completed in 5 minutes and provides a picture of student SEL functioning that supplements teachers' assessments.
Effects of low level laser therapy on injection pain and anesthesia efficacy during local anesthesia in children: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Uçar Gül , Şermet Elbay Ülkü , Elbay Mesut 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe use of low level laser therapy (LLLT) to reduce injection pain associated with dental local anesthesia is reported in a limited number of studies in adults, but research on the effects of LLLT in children is needed.AimThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of topical anesthesia + LLLT on injection pain, anesthesia efficacy, and duration in local anesthesia of children who are undergoing pulpotomy treatment.DesignThe study was conducted as a randomized, controlled‐crossover, double‐blind clinical trial with 60 children aged 6–9 years. Before local infiltration anesthesia was administered, only topical anesthesia was applied in one side (control group/CG), and topical anesthesia plus LLLT (a diode laser: 810 nm; continuous mode; 0.3W; 20 s; 69 J/cm2) was applied in the contralateral side (LG) as pre‐anesthesia. The injection pain and anesthesia efficacy were evaluated subjectively and objectively using the Wong‐Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale (PRS) and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale respectively. Data were analyzed for statistical significance (p < .05).ResultsThe “no pain” and “severe pain” rates in the PRS were 41.7% and 3.3% for the LG and 21.7% and 11.7% for the CG, respectively, during injection. Similarly, in the FLACC data, the number of “no pain” responses was higher for the LG than the CG (40%, 33.3%) and no “severe pain” rate was observed in both groups. The only statistically significant difference found for the PRS was p < .05. The median pain score was “0” for the LG and the CG in the FLACC data for the evaluation of anesthesia efficacy, and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of pain and anesthesia duration (p > .05). Also, most of the children preferred injection with topical anesthesia + LLLT (66.7%).ConclusionsIt has been determined that the application of topical anesthesia + LLLT with an 810‐nm diode laser before local infiltration anesthesia reduced injection pain and did not have an effect on anesthesia efficacy and duration in children.
Inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase by imipramine abolishes the synergy between metabolic syndrome and periodontitis on alveolar bone loss
Authors: Li Yanchun , Lu Zhongyang , Zhang Lixia , Kirkwood Cameron L. , Kirkwood Keith L. , Lopes‐Virella Maria F. , Huang Yan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackground and objectiveClinical studies have shown that metabolic syndrome (MetS) exacerbates periodontitis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Since our animal study has shown that high‐fat diet‐induced MetS exacerbates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated periodontitis in mouse model and our in vitro study showed that acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase) plays a key role in the amplification of LPS‐triggered pro‐inflammatory response by palmitic acid (PA) in macrophages, we tested our hypothesis that inhibitor of aSMase attenuates MetS‐exacerbated periodontitis in animal model. Furthermore, to explore the potential underlying mechanisms, we tested our hypothesis that aSMase inhibitor downregulates pro‐inflammatory and pro‐osteoclastogenic gene expression in macrophages in vitro.Material and methodsWe induced MetS and periodontitis in C57BL/6 mice by feeding high‐fat diet (HFD) and periodontal injection of A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS, respectively, and treated mice with imipramine, a well‐established inhibitor of aSMase. Micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT), tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase staining, histological and pathological evaluations as well as cell cultures were performed to evaluate alveolar bone loss, osteoclast formation, periodontal inflammation and pro‐inflammatory gene expression.ResultsAnalysis of metabolic parameter showed that while HFD induced MetS by increasing bodyweight, insulin resistance, cholesterol and free fatty acids, imipramine reduced free fatty acids but had no significant effects on other metabolic parameters. MicroCT showed that either MetS or periodontitis significantly reduced bone volume fraction (BVF) of maxilla and the combination of MetS and periodontitis further reduced BVF. However, imipramine increased BVF in mice with both MetS and periodontitis to a level similar to that in mice with periodontitis alone, suggesting that imipramine abolished the synergy between MetS and periodontitis on alveolar bone loss. Consistently, results showed that imipramine inhibited osteoclast formation and periodontal inflammation in mice with both MetS and periodontitis. To elucidate the mechanisms by which imipramine attenuates MetS‐exacerbated periodontitis, we showed that imipramine inhibited the upregulation of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and transcription factor c‐FOS as well as ceramide production by LPS plus PA in macrophages.ConclusionThis study has shown that imipramine as an inhibitor of aSMase abolishes the synergy between MetS and periodontitis on alveolar bone loss in animal model and inhibits pro‐inflammatory and pro‐osteoclastogenic gene expression in macrophages in vitro. This study provides the first evidence that aSMase is a potential therapeutic target for MetS‐exacerbated periodontitis.
Serum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity and trypsin‐like immunoreactivity concentrations in cats with experimentally induced chronic kidney disease
Authors: Xenoulis Panagiotis G. , Moraiti Katerina T. , R. Finco Delmar , Suchodolski Jan S. , Steiner Jörg M. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundSerum feline pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (fPLI) and trypsin‐like immunoreactivity (fTLI) concentrations are commonly used in cats for the evaluation of pancreatic disease. The effect of kidney disease on these tests in cats are unknown.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of experimentally induced chronic kidney disease (CKD) on serum fPLI and fTLI concentrations.AnimalsSurplus serum samples from 20 cats with CKD experimentally induced for an unrelated project and a group of healthy control cats.MethodsSerum fTLI and fPLI concentrations were compared between groups.ResultsMean (±SD) serum fTLI concentrations in 20 cats with CKD (117.8 ± 63.6 μg/L) were significantly higher than those in healthy cats (n = 32; 46.9 ± 17.5 μg/L;P < .0001). Serum fTLI concentrations in cats with CKD were above the upper limit of the reference interval in 13 of 20 cats (65%). Serum fPLI concentrations were not significantly different between cats with induced CKD (n = 18; 8.6 μg/L; range, 5.4‐9.9 μg/L) and healthy cats (n = 41; 7.4 μg/L; range, 5.0‐15.2 μg/L;P = .12). All cats with experimentally induced CKD had serum fPLI concentrations within the reference interval.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceDecreased renal function has a clinically relevant impact on serum fTLI concentrations and potentially could interfere with a diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Serum fPLI concentration was not affected by experimentally induced CKD and thus serum fPLI may be used for the diagnosis of pancreatitis in cats with kidney disease. Additional studies are needed to verify these results in cats with naturally occurring CKD.
Early solar irradiation as a source of the inner solar system chromium isotopic heterogeneity
Authors: Kadlag Yogita , Hirtz Jason , Becker Harry , Leya Ingo , Mezger Klaus 
Published: November 2021

AbstractDifferent solar system objects display variable abundances of neutron‐rich isotopes such as 54Cr, 50Ti, and 48Ca, which are commonly attributed to a heterogeneous distribution of presolar grains in different domains of the solar system. Here, we show that the heterogeneity of 54Cr/52Cr and the correlation of 54Cr/52Cr with Fe/Cr in metal fractions of EH3 chondrites and in inner solar system bodies can be attributed to variable irradiation of dust grains by solar energetic particles and variable mixing of irradiated material in the different domains of the inner solar nebula. The isotope variations in inner solar system objects can be generated by ~300 y long local irradiation of mm‐ to cm‐sized solids with average solar energetic particle fluxes of ~105 times the modern value. The relative homogeneity of 53Cr/52Cr in inner solar system objects can be a consequence of the production of 53Mn by the early irradiation of dust, evaporation, and nebula‐wide homogenization of Mn due to high temperatures, followed by Mn/Cr fractionation within the first few million years of the solar system. The 54Cr/52Cr of the Earth can be produced by irradiated pebbles and <15 wt% of CI chondrite like material. Alternatively, Earth may contain only a few % of CI chondrite like material but then must have an Fe/Cr ratio 10–15% higher than CI chondrites.
Cytosolic detection of phagosomal bacteria—Mechanisms underlying PAMP exodus from the phagosome into the cytosol
Authors: Ragland Stephanie A. , Kagan Jonathan C. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe metazoan innate immune system senses bacterial infections by detecting highly conserved bacterial molecules, termed pathogen‐associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). PAMPs are detected by a variety of host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), whose function is to coordinate downstream immune responses. PRR activities are, in part, regulated by their subcellular localizations. Accordingly, professional phagocytes can detect extracellular bacteria and their PAMPs via plasma membrane‐oriented PRRs. Conversely, phagocytosed bacteria and their PAMPs are detected by transmembrane PRRs oriented toward the phagosomal lumen. Even though PAMPs are unable to passively diffuse across membranes, phagocytosed bacteria are also detected by PRRs localized within the host cell cytosol. This phenomenon is explained by phagocytosis of bacteria that specialize in phagosomal escape and cytosolic residence. Contrary to this cytosolic lifestyle, most bacteria studied to date spend their entire intracellular lifestyle contained within phagosomes, yet they also stimulate cytosolic PRRs. Herein, we will review our current understanding of how phagosomal PAMPs become accessible to cytosolic PRRs, as well as highlight knowledge gaps that should inspire future investigations.
Virucidal activity in vitro of mouthwashes against a feline coronavirus type II
Authors: Buonavoglia Alessio , Camero Michele , Lanave Gianvito , Catella Cristiana , Trombetta Claudia Maria , Gandolfi Maria Giovanna , Palazzo Gerardo , Martella Vito , Prati Carlo 
Published: November 2021

AbstractTransmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) can occur through saliva and aerosol droplets deriving from the upper aerodigestive tract during coughing, sneezing, talking, and even during oral inspection or dental procedures. The aim of this study was to assess in vitro virucidal activity of commercial and experimental mouthwashes against a feline coronavirus (FCoV) strain. Commercial and experimental (commercial‐based products with addition of either sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or thymus vulgaris essential oil (TEO) at different concentrations) mouthwashes were placed in contact with FCoV for different time intervals, that is, 30 s (T30), 60 s (T60), and 180 s (T180); subsequently, the virus was titrated on Crandell Reese Feline Kidney cells. An SDS‐based commercial mouthwash reduced the viral load by 5 log10 tissue culture infectious dose (TCID)50/50 µl at T30 while a cetylpyridinium (CPC)‐based commercial mouthwash was able to reduce the viral titer of 4.75 log10 at T60. Furthermore, five experimental mouthwashes supplemented with SDS reduced the viral titer by 4.75–5 log10 according to a dose‐ (up to 4 mM) and time‐dependent fashion.
Bureaucratic Professionalization is a Contagious Process Inside Government: Evidence from a Priming Experiment with 3,000 Chilean Civil Servants
Authors: Mikkelsen Kim Sass , Schuster Christian , Meyer‐Sahling Jan‐Hinrik , Wettig Magdalena Rojas 
Published: November 2021

AbstractEducation is at the center of theories of how bureaucracies professionalize. Going back to Weber, the process toward a capable and professional bureaucracy has been viewed as driven by the entry of well‐educated, professional recruits. We argue that this perspective misses important dynamics within professionalizing bureaucracies—in particular, how bureaucrats inside government react when bureaucracies professionalize. Building on this insight, we argue that incumbent bureaucrats face incentives to acquire greater expertise when educated entrants arrive, in order to remain competitive for organizational rewards (such as promotions) inside government and jobs outside government in case educated entrants “outcompete” them. We provide empirical support for these propositions with a priming experiment with 3,000 bureaucrats in Chile's central government. Bureaucrats primed about the professionalization of other bureaucrats put a greater premium on their own expertise acquisition. Our findings suggest that bureaucratic professionalization is a contagious—and thus self‐reinforcing—process inside government.
Flow cytometric evaluation of canine follicular cell apoptosis during the oestrous cycle
Authors: Palomino Jaime , De los Reyes Monica 
Published: November 2021

AbstractApoptosis is the cellular mechanism of ovarian follicular atresia in mammals; the aim of this study was to examine the apoptosis‐related cyclic changes in follicular cells of different‐sized antral follicles throughout the oestrous cycle in canines. Ovaries were collected from 26 adult female dogs (1–4 years) following routine ovariohysterectomy. Antral follicles were classified as small, medium or large antral or preovulatory. The percentage of apoptotic cells was determined flow cytometrically using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) DNA nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay. Apoptosis rate was quantified as the percentage of TUNEL‐positive cells on a logarithmic scale. Percentages of TUNEL‐positive cells obtained in the flow cytometric assay were compared among oestrous phases and follicular sizes using analysis of variance. Apoptotic follicles were observed in all types of canine follicles in different cycle phases and stages of development, possibly corresponding to the physiological process of the oestrous cycle. Both the oestrous phase and follicular size significantly influenced the apoptosis rate (p < .05). Apoptosis rate increased significantly (p < .05) as follicular development progressed. Apoptosis rate was the highest in large follicles during the oestrous phase (9.2%; p < .05) and the lowest in small follicles during the anestrus period (1.8%; p < .05). In conclusion, our results demonstrate significant differences in the apoptosis rate during the oestrous cycle related to follicle development in the canine ovary. Furthermore, flow cytometry using the TUNEL assay was found to be an effective method for detecting apoptosis in canine follicles.
Design and Experimental Characterization of Hydraulically Actuated Revolute Joint Based on Multimaterial Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Pfeil A. , Siegfarth M. , Pusch T. P. , Barbé L. , Geiskopf F. , Renaud P. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Design of fluidic actuators remain challenging in specific contexts such as the medical field, when solutions have for instance to be compatible with the stringent requirements of magnetic resonance imaging. In this article, an innovative design of hydraulically actuated revolute joint is introduced. The design originality is linked to the use of multimaterial additive manufacturing for its production. Hydraulic actuation and polymer manufacturing are selected to have compatibility with the medical context. A design taking advantage of the process capabilities is proposed. The proposed component associates a large stroke compliant revolute joint and miniature pistons. An helical rack-and-pinion mechanism is integrated to the compliant joint to control the joint rotation. A specific gear geometry is elaborated to minimize the joint size. It is experimentally characterized in terms of range of motion, stiffness, and available torque to discuss the suitability of the component as a fluidic actuator. The component offers an interesting compactness and range of motion and the process is shown to be adequate for the design of functional systems.