bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disentangling demographic effects of red deer on chamois population dynamics
Authors: Donini Valerio , Pedrotti Luca , Ferretti Francesco , Corlatti Luca 
Published: May 2021

AbstractInvestigating the impact of ecological factors on sex‐ and age‐specific vital rates is essential to understand animal population dynamics and detect the potential for interactions between sympatric species. We used block count data and autoregressive linear models to investigate variation in birth rate, kid survival, female survival, and male survival in a population of Alpine chamois Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra monitored over 27 years within the Stelvio National Park, Central Italian Alps, as function of climatic variables, density dependence, and interspecific competition with red deer Cervus elaphus. We also used path analysis to assess the indirect effect of deer abundance on chamois growth rate mediated by each demographic parameter. Based on previous findings, we predicted that birth rate at [t] would negatively relate to red deer abundance at year [t − 1]; survival rates between [t] and [t + 1] would negatively relate to red deer abundance at year [t − 1] and to the interactive effect of winter precipitation at [t + 1] and chamois density at [t]. Our results showed that birth rate was positively related to spring–summer precipitation in the previous year, but this effect was hampered by increasing red deer abundance. Kid and female survival rates were negatively related to the combined effect of chamois abundance and winter precipitation. Male and female survival rates were negatively related to lagged red deer abundance. The path analysis supported a negative indirect effect of red deer abundance on chamois growth rate mediated by birth rate and female survival. Our results suggest that chamois population dynamics was largely explained by the synergistic effect of density dependence and winter harshness, as well as by interspecific competition with red deer, whose effects were seemingly stronger on the kid–female segment of the population.
Two‐day low‐dose dexamethasone suppression test more accurate than overnight 1‐mg in women taking oral contraceptives
Authors: Carton Tiphaine , Mathieu Elise , Wolff Fleur , Bouziotis Jason , Corvilain Bernard , Driessens Natacha 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionLate‐night salivary cortisol (LSaC) and 24‐h urinary free cortisol measurement, and overnight 1‐mg dexamethasone suppression test (1 mg‐DST) are the first‐line screening tests recommended for Cushing's syndrome. Through elevations in the level of cortisol‐binding globulin, oral contraceptive agents lead to increases in the total plasma cortisol concentration, yielding false‐positive 1 mg‐DST results.ObjectiveTo compare the accuracy of the overnight 1‐mg DST and two‐day low‐dose DST (2d‐DST) in female volunteers taking combined oestrogen‐progestin oral contraceptives (COCs).MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 30 healthy participants. Their plasma cortisol response levels were compared after the 1‐mg DST and 2d‐DST and classified into three categories: normal (≤50 nmol/L), doubtful (51–138 nmol/L) and abnormal (>138 nmol/L). Salivary cortisol was also measured at late night and after the DSTs.ResultsFollowing the 1‐mg DST and 2d‐DST, the plasma cortisol concentrations decreased to a median of 69 nmol/L and 37 nmol/L, respectively (p < 0.001). A statistically significant higher proportion of unclear or abnormal results were observed after the 1‐mg DST (63%) than after the 2d‐DST (27%) (p = 0.004). None of the values were >138 nmol/L after the 2d‐DST, while 11% of them were abnormal after the 1‐mg DST (p = 0.25). No LSaC value was abnormal.ConclusionOur results suggest that, when late‐night salivary cortisol is not available, the 2d‐DST could be a better screening option than the 1‐mg DST for women taking oral contraceptive agents who are reluctant to stop them. This finding requires confirmation in those with a suspicion of hypercortisolism.
Inclusion Complex of Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil with β‐Cyclodextrin: Preparation Characterization and Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Liang Dongyi , Guo Juan , Guo Rui‐Xue , Bi Yongguang 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study aims to produce an inclusion complex between β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) and sea buckthorn fruit oil (SBFO) by using the saturated aqueous solution method and then to compare the resultant solution with the crude mixtures. In this study, the SBFO is extracted by Soxhlet extraction, which is optimized through the single‐factor test. The main constituent of the SBFO is identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS), which confirms eight fatty acids. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis‐differential scanning calorimetry, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and the result‐characterized synthesized compounds confirm the formation of stable inclusion compounds by the SBFO with β‐CD. The yield values of the inclusion complex and the SBFO loading content are 64.87 ± 2.26% and 9.2 ± 1.58%, respectively. Comparing the crude fruit oil, β‐CD–SBFO, and saponified fruit oil reveals differences in their 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐pycrylhydrazyl and 2,2′‐azinobis‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonate) antioxidant activities. These findings suggest that the SBFO inclusion complex after β‐cyclodextrin is stabilized and is a good antioxidant. This solution improves the inadequacy of the water solution and the instability of the SBFO. This study also implies that β‐CD is a cost‐effective and straightforward carrier for extending the applications of SBFO as a food or medicinal additive.Practical applications: In this experiment, the SBFO is converted from oil to powder to increase its efficacy as an additive to health and food products.
Efficient Access to Arylated Aza‐ullazines by Regioselective Functionalization of their Pyridine Ring by H−Li Exchange and Electrophilic Substitution
Authors: Ibrahim Dhuaou , Boulet Pascal , Gros Philippe C. , Pierrat Philippe 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe regioselective functionalization of aza‐ullazines has been successfully realized for the first time by either metalation using BuLi‐containing aggregates (BuLi‐LiDMAE) or electrophilic substitution. Mono and di‐bromo‐derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields and further successfully converted into aryl and alkynyl azaullazine derivatives by Suzuki and Sonogashira cross‐coupling reactions.
Synthesis and Racemization Studies of Winding Vine‐Shaped Biphenyl Derivatives
Authors: Hayashi Masayasu , Cheng Jiaqiang , Hosokawa Kohei , Hatta Takumi , Wang Chi‐Hsien , Horie Masaki , Okano Kentaro , Mori Atsunori 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWinding vine‐shaped biphenyl derivatives were synthesized through the annulation reaction of nosylated (2‐nitrobenzenesulfonyl) ethylenediamine and the E‐selective ring‐closing metathesis reaction. The structures of the cyclized products were confirmed by measurements of 1H and 13C NMR spectra and single crystal X‐ray analyses. The obtained cyclic product was revealed to exhibit molecular asymmetry, which was confirmed by HPLC analyses on chiral stationary phase. Compared with our previous results on the related bithiophene derivatives, the obtained vine‐shaped biphenyls were shown to hardly racemize under ambient conditions and experimental studies on racemization behaviors suggested energy barriers of 134 kJmol−1 to 211 kJmol−1. These results reasonably agreed with those of the calculated values based on DFT.
Preparation of energy platform chemicals by hydrothermal conversion of citrus peel
Authors: Xu Hao , Zhao Yuan , Guan Yingsha , Wang Chenguang , Zhu Lingjun , Xiong Shanshan , Wang Shurong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn recent years, there has been a great interest in the conversion from agricultural waste to high value‐added chemicals. Citrus peel is a low‐cost and widely available waste resource that can be derived during citrus processing. In this study, we analyzed the composition of typical citrus peel and its hydrolysate. The hydrothermal conversion of citrus peel in different reaction conditions was also studied, and the optimum conditions for the preparation of levulinic acid and furfural were obtained. The maximum yield of levulinic acid was 21.9 wt% obtained in pure water, and the maximum yield of furfural was 9.1 wt% obtained in the water‐DMSO solvent mixture. With the increase in the reaction temperature, the yield of furfural decreased while the yield of levulinic acid increased.
Comparing the Impacts of Sediment-Spiked Cadmium on Chironomidae Larvae in Laboratory Bioassays and Field Microcosms and the Implications for Field Validation of Site-Specific Threshold Concentrations
Authors: Liu Zhihong , Zhang Chi , Xin Zhuohang , Tai Peidong , Song Changchun , Deng Xin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Information on the effects of pollutants in sediments at an ecosystem level to validate current and proposed risk-assessment procedures is scarce. The most frequent criticism of these procedures is that responses of surrogate species in the laboratory are not representative of responses of natural populations. A tiered approach using both laboratory and microcosm exposures (96-h and 21-d laboratory bioassays and a 3-mo field microcosm) was conducted to compare the impacts of sediment-spiked cadmium on the mortality, development, and abundance of Chironomidae larvae. The 96-h and 21-d lethal concentrations of sediment-spiked Cd to 50% of the species Chironomus riparius were estimated to be 201.07 and 172.66 mg/kg, respectively. In the 21-d laboratory bioassay, the endpoints, including the development rate and emergence ratio, were compared, and the lowest-observed-effect concentration (LOEC) values were 325.8 and 10.7 mg/kg, respectively. The abundance, richness, and biomass of field-collected larvae were compared among the different treatments in the field microcosm, and it was found that the order of sensitivities using different endpoints was biomass (2.6/5.2 mg/kg of no-observed-effect concentration/LOEC) &gt; diversity (10.7/21.2 mg/kg) &gt; abundance (41.2/82.7 mg/kg). The toxicity values based on lethal/sublethal changes in the laboratory bioassays might not fully protect field organisms against damage from chemicals, such as Cd, unless an assessment factor of 5 is used. These findings highlight the need to conduct field validation of criteria/guidelines before they are introduced to protect organisms/ecosystems in the field and provide a preliminary template for future field validation of criteria elsewhere. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2450–2462. © 2021 SETAC
Relative Cost and Post-Release Performance of Hatchery Catchable Rainbow Trout Grown to Two Target Sizes
Authors: Branigan Philip R , Meyer Kevin A , Cassinelli John D 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Catchable-sized hatchery trout (hereafter, catchables) have become a staple component of many fisheries management programs throughout North America. Due to their size, catchables create immediate fisheries once they are stocked, and fisheries managers have gradually shifted towards stocking fewer, larger trout. However, the cost of growing larger fish may reduce the efficiencies of catchable stocking programs overall. We grew catchable-sized Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss to two target average sizes (254 and 305 mm total length) at a production scale, while tracking feed expenditures to examine the costs and benefits associated with increased size-at-stocking. Although larger catchables cost 31% more in feed expenditures than those reared to a smaller average size, catch (by anglers) of larger fish increased by 100% relative to smaller fish. Consequently, if target stocking size was changed from 254 to 305 mm and feed costs were held constant by reducing the total number of fish stocked, anglers would benefit by catching larger and more fish, despite the reduction in number of fish stocked. In lentic systems, larger catchables were reported by anglers more quickly than smaller fish, so managers must consider interactions between stocking size and residence time for lentic systems supported by catchables. In lotic systems, overall catch by anglers was much lower than catch at lentic waterbodies, and all catchables were either reported by anglers quickly or failed to be reported at all regardless of size-at-stocking. Producing larger catchables for hatchery-supported fisheries serves to benefit angling and would likely increase angler satisfaction while improving efficiencies associated with hatchery catchable stocking programs.
Drought, desertification and poverty: A geospatial analysis of snakebite envenoming in the Caatinga biome of Brazil
Authors: Jucá Thiago L. , Oliveira Normando Leonardo R. , Ibrahim Abdulrazak B. , Chapeaurouge Alex , Cristina de Oliveira Monteiro‐Moreira Ana , Mackessy Stephen P. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEpidemiological data on snakebite in the Brazilian state of Ceará are scarce, as the only report on this subject was last published in 1997. However, according to the Brazilian system of recording disease incidents (Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação [SINAN]), more than 13,000 snakebites have been registered since 2001 in the state of Ceará, making this disease an important public health issue. In the present study, we evaluate the influence of environmental changes, including drought and desertification, on the risk of snakebite envenoming in the Brazilian northeastern state of Ceará. We compare public data on snakebites from Brazilian Epidemiological Surveillance System (DATASUS), rainfall records, advanced desertification maps, pastures and socioeconomic information of the 184 municipals in Ceará between 2001 and 2017. During the period of investigation, 8,945 snakebites were recorded, the majority (93.8%) of which involved venomous snakes. Almost half of the municipals (48%) had 100 incidences or more per 100,000 inhabitants. Data collected also highlight month‐to‐month occurrences of snakebites, with trends to rise shortly after the onset of precipitation, peaking in July and then trending downward as rainfall decreases, reaching the lowest level in December. We deduce an inverse relationship between Human Development Index (HDI) and snakebites per area. Spearman correlation and principal component analysis support the hypothesis that water scarcity and desertification are linked to increased risk of snakebite envenoming. Our study indicates that besides poverty, dry and desertified areas represent risk factors associated with increased incidence of snakebite envenoming in the state of Ceará.
Potential role of circular RNA in cyclosporin A‐induced cardiotoxicity in rats
Authors: Zhao Yanru , Li Yang , Fan Dachuan , Hou Jinxiao , Bai Yunpeng , Dai Chenguang , Cao Xue , Qi Hai , Liu Bingchen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractCyclosporin A (CsA) is a well‐known and effective drug that is commonly used in autoimmune diseases and allotransplantation. However, kidney toxicity and cardiotoxicity limit its use. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a crucial role in disease, especially cardiovascular disease. We aimed to explore the circRNA expression profiles and potential mechanisms during CsA‐induced cardiotoxicity. Sixty male adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups. The CsA group was injected with CsA (15 mg/kg/day body weight) intraperitoneally (ip) for 2 weeks, whereas the control group was injected ip with the same volume of olive oil. We assessed CsA‐induced cardiotoxicity by light microscopy, transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and electron microscopy. Microarray analysis was used to detect the expression profiles of circRNAs deregulated in the heart during CsA‐induced cardiotoxicity. We confirmed the changes in circRNAs by quantitative PCR. Moreover, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses of the microarray data were performed. A conventional dose of CsA induced cardiotoxicity in rats. We identified 67 upregulated and 37 downregulated circRNAs compared with those in the control group. Six of 12 circRNAs were successfully verified by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). GO analyses of the differentially expressed circRNAs indicated that these molecules might play important roles in CsA‐induced cardiotoxicity. KEGG pathway analyses showed that the differentially expressed circRNAs in CsA‐induced cardiotoxicity may be related to autophagy or the Hippo signaling pathway. We identified differential circRNA expression patterns and provided more insight into the mechanism of CsA‐induced cardiotoxicity. CircRNAs may serve as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets of CsA‐mediated cardiotoxicity in the future.
HIV self‐testing partially filled the HIV testing gap among men who have sex with men in China during the COVID‐19 pandemic: results from an online survey
Authors: Jiang Hongbo , Xie Yewei , Xiong Yuan , Zhou Yi , Lin Kaihao , Yan Yao , Tucker Joseph , Ong Jason J , Wu Dan , Yang Fan , Tang Weiming 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionHIV self‐testing (HIVST) is a useful strategy to promote HIV testing among key populations. This study aimed to understand HIV testing behaviours among men who have sex with men (MSM) and specifically how HIVST was used during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) measures in China when access to facility‐based testing was limited.MethodsAn online cross‐sectional study was conducted to recruit men who have sex with men (MSM) in China from May to June of 2020, a period when COVID‐19 measures were easing. Data on socio‐demographic characteristics, sexual behaviours and HIV testing in the three months before and during COVID‐19 measures (23 January 2020) were collected. Chi‐square test and logistic regression were used for analyses.ResultsOverall, 685 MSM were recruited from 135 cities in 30 provinces of China, whose mean age was 28.8 (SD: 6.9) years old. The majority of participants self‐identified as gay (81.9%) and had disclosed their sexual orientation (66.7%). In the last three months, 69.6% ever had sex with men, nearly half of whom had multiple sexual partners (47.2%). Although the overall HIV testing rates before and during COVID‐19 measures were comparable, more MSM self‐tested for HIV during COVID‐19 measures (52.1%) compared to before COVID‐19 measures (41.6%, p = 0.038). Fewer MSM used facility‐based HIV testing during COVID‐19 measures (42.9%) compared to before COVID‐19 measures (54.1%, p = 0.038). Among 138 facility‐based testers before COVID‐19 measures, 59.4% stopped facility‐based testing during COVID‐19 measures. Among 136 self‐testers during COVID‐19 measures, 58.1% had no HIV self‐testing before COVID‐19 measures. Multivariable logistic regression showed that having sex with other men in the last three months (adjusted odds ratio, aOR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.38 to 3.03), self‐identifying as gay (aOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.31 to 3.13), ever disclosing their sexual orientation (aOR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.50) and tested for HIV in three months before COVID‐19 measures (aOR = 4.74, 95% CI: 3.35 to 6.70) were associated with HIV testing during COVID‐19 measures.ConclusionsFacility‐based HIV testing decreased and HIVST increased among MSM during COVID‐19 measures in China. MSM successfully accessed HIVST as substitute for facility‐based testing, with no overall decrease in HIV testing rates.
High throughput computational evaluation of how scaffold architecture, material selection, and loading modality influence the cellular micromechanical environment in tissue engineering strategies
Authors: Page Mitchell I. , Linde Peter E. , Puttlitz Christian M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn tissue engineering (TE) strategies, cell processes are regulated by mechanical stimuli. Although TE scaffolds have been developed to replicate tissue‐level mechanical properties, it is intractable to experimentally measure and prescribe the cellular micromechanical environment (CME) generated within these constructs. Accordingly, this study aimed to fill this lack of understanding by modeling the CME in TE scaffolds using the finite element method.MethodsA repeating unit of composite fiber scaffold for annulus fibrosus (AF) repair with a fibrin hydrogel matrix was prescribed a series of loading, material, and architectural parameters. The distribution of CME in the scaffold was predicted and compared to proposed target mechanics based on anabolic responses of AF cells.ResultsThe multi‐axial loading modality predicted the greatest percentage of cell volumes falling within the CME target envelope (%PTE) in the study (65 %PTE for 5.0% equibiaxial tensile strain with 50 kPa radial‐direction compression; 7.6 %PTE without radial pressure). Additionally, the architectural scale had a moderate influence on the CME (maximum of 17 %PTE), with minimal change in the tissue‐level properties of the scaffold. Scaffold materials and architectures had secondary influences on the predicted regeneration by modifying the tissue‐level scaffold mechanics.ConclusionsScaffold loading modality was identified as the critical factor for TE the AF. Scaffold materials and architecture were also predicted to modulate the scaffold loading and, therefore, control the CME indirectly. This study facilitated an improved understanding of the relationship between tissue‐level and cell‐level mechanics to drive anabolic cell responses for tissue regeneration.
Featured Front Cover
Authors: Zhu Ye , Shao Tianyun , Zhou Yujie , Zhang Xun , Gao Xiumei , Long Xiaohua , Rengel Zed 
Published: May 2021

The cover image is based on the Original Article Periphyton improves soil conditions and offers a suitable environment for rice growth in coastal saline alkali soil by Long Xiaohua et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3944.
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Role of food web interactions in promoting resilience to nutrient enrichment in a brackish water eelgrass (Zostera marina) ecosystem
Authors: Gagnon Karine , Gustafsson Camilla , Salo Tiina , Rossi Francesca , Gunell Sonja , Richardson J. Paul , Reynolds Pamela L. , Duffy J. Emmett , Boström Christoffer 
Published: May 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the ecological interactions that enhance the resilience of threatened ecosystems is essential in assuring their conservation and restoration. Top‐down trophic interactions can increase resilience to bottom‐up nutrient enrichment, however, as many seagrass ecosystems are threatened by both eutrophication and trophic modifications, understanding how these processes interact is important. Using a combination of approaches, we explored how bottom‐up and top‐down processes, acting individually or in conjunction, can affect eelgrass meadows and associated communities in the northern Baltic Sea. Field surveys along with fish diet and stable isotope analyses revealed that the eelgrass trophic network included two main top predatory fish species, each of which feeds on a separate group of invertebrate mesograzers (crustaceans or gastropods). Mesograzer abundance in the study area was high, and capable of mitigating the effects of increased algal biomass that resulted from experimental nutrient enrichment in the field. When crustacean mesograzers were experimentally excluded, gastropod mesograzers were able to compensate and limit the effects of nutrient enrichment on eelgrass biomass and growth. Our results suggest that top‐down processes (i.e., suppression of algae by different mesograzer groups) may ensure eelgrass resilience to nutrient enrichment in the northern Baltic Sea, and the existence of multiple trophic pathways can provide additional resilience in the face of trophic modifications. However, the future resilience of these meadows is likely threatened by additional local stressors and global environmental change. Understanding the trophic links and interactions that ensure resilience is essential for managing and conserving these important ecosystems and the services they provide.