bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stream inflows to lake deltas: A tributary junction that provides a unique habitat in lakes
Authors: Richardson John S. , Michalski Tracy , Becu Mariella 
Published: August 2021

Abstract

Tributary junctions in stream networks provide unique habitats within fluvial networks by contributing differently sized sediment and organic materials, providing temperature refuge, and other conditions distinct from the receiving stream. These same attributes at tributaries entering lakes (inflow streams) support special, within‐lake locations that are used by several organisms at some times of year, which we call lake deltas.

Here we consider the evidence of these lake deltas as a special environment in terms of their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. There are several potential contributions from tributary streams, and much of the emphasis has been on resource subsidies to lakes, but other factors may also contribute to the uniqueness of lake deltas.

The degree to which these deltas provide productivity and biodiversity hotspots is not well known, but we present evidence in support of this assertion. We also offer suggestions for a suite of hypotheses that can be tested. These junctions may also provide an excellent model system for testing the consequences of resource subsidies (organic matter, invertebrates) to recipient communities from small to mid‐sized streams.

Consolidation of these ideas will allow testing for the uniqueness of these lake delta habitats and the mechanisms responsible, and perhaps promote greater efforts at protecting processes that sustain these areas in lakes.
Quantitative trait locus mapping identifies a locus linked to striatal dopamine and points to collagen IV alpha‐6 chain as a novel regulator of striatal axonal branching in mice
Authors: Thomas Mélanie H. , Gui Yujuan , Garcia Pierre , Karout Mona , Gomez Ramos Borja , Jaeger Christian , Michelucci Alessandro , Gaigneaux Anthoula , Kollmus Heike , Centeno Arthur , Schughart Klaus , Balling Rudi , Mittelbronn Michel , Nadeau Joseph H. , Sauter Thomas , Williams Robert W. , Sinkkonen Lasse , Buttini Manuel 
Published: August 2021

AbstractDopaminergic neurons (DA neurons) are controlled by multiple factors, many involved in neurological disease. Parkinson's disease motor symptoms are caused by the demise of nigral DA neurons, leading to loss of striatal dopamine (DA). Here, we measured DA concentration in the dorsal striatum of 32 members of Collaborative Cross (CC) family and their eight founder strains. Striatal DA varied greatly in founders, and differences were highly heritable in the inbred CC progeny. We identified a locus, containing 164 genes, linked to DA concentration in the dorsal striatum on chromosome X. We used RNAseq profiling of the ventral midbrain of two founders with substantial difference in striatal DA–C56BL/6 J and A/J—to highlight potential protein‐coding candidates modulating this trait. Among the five differentially expressed genes within the locus, we found that the gene coding for the collagen IV alpha 6 chain (Col4a6) was expressed nine times less in A/J than in C57BL/6J. Using single cell RNA‐seq data from developing human midbrain, we found that COL4A6 is highly expressed in radial glia‐like cells and neuronal progenitors, indicating a role in neuronal development. Collagen IV alpha‐6 chain (COL4A6) controls axogenesis in simple model organisms. Consistent with these findings, A/J mice had less striatal axonal branching than C57BL/6J mice. We tentatively conclude that DA concentration and axonal branching in dorsal striatum are modulated by COL4A6, possibly during development. Our study shows that genetic mapping based on an easily measured Central Nervous System (CNS) trait, using the CC population, combined with follow‐up observations, can parse heritability of such a trait, and nominate novel functions for commonly expressed proteins.
Low urine pH is a risk factor for low muscle mass: A new way to predict sarcopenia
Authors: Yang Shih‐Wei , Lin Yu‐Jen , Cheng Yung‐Wen , Chen Yuan‐Yuei , Chen Wei‐Liang 
Published: August 2021

AimsSarcopenia, one of the primary diseases of the older adult population, is a condition characterized by loss of skeletal muscle mass, strength and functionality. Due to its considerable economic impact, preventive interventions for sarcopenia play an important role in the older adult population. Urine includes many indicators of physiology and pathophysiology. Urine analysis is used to diagnose many different diseases. The goal of this cohort study was to examine the relationship between urine pH level and skeletal muscle mass.MethodsThis community‐based cross‐sectional study was carried out among 9712 Taiwanese individuals (4992 men and 4720 women). We used urine pH as an independent variable and skeletal muscle mass as a dependent variable. Bioelectric impedance analysis was used to measure the percentage of skeletal muscle mass (PSMM). We collected first fasting morning urine samples after overnight fasting, and urine pH was measured with a dipstick. In the by‐sex and by‐obesity analyses, we stratified the sample into two subgroups and a linear regression model was used for covariate adjustment.ResultsIn the fully adjusted model, all‐subject analysis showed a statistically significant association between urine pH and the PSMM with a β coefficient of 0.820 (95% CI 0.615–1.025; P < 0.001). Additionally, by‐sex analysis showed that urine pH was related to the PSMM in both sexes, with β coefficients of 0.261 (95% CI 0.006–0.516; P = 0.045) in men and 0.179 (95% CI 0.029–0.328; P = 0.019) in women. By‐obesity status analysis showed that urine pH was related to the PSMM in the body mass index <27 group with a β coefficient of 0.284 (95% CI 0.101–0.466; P = 0.002) after full adjustment. However, for the body mass index ≥27 group, there was no significant relationship between urine pH and the PSMM (P > 0.05).ConclusionThe results showed the impacts of urine pH levels on skeletal muscle mass in both sexes and non‐obese populations. Due to its easily accessible and economical characteristics, urine analysis is a convenient way to approach patients with low skeletal muscle mass and predict sarcopenia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 944–949.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of narrow band imaging for non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Gravestock Paul , Coulthard Nicholas , Veeratterapillay Rajan , Heer Rakesh 
Published: August 2021

AbstractTo assess the effect of narrow band imaging‐guided transurethral resection of bladder tumor compared with white light on recurrence rates in non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. A systematic review of the literature from inception to November 2020 using Medline, EMBASE and CENTRAL was undertaken. Randomized controlled trials comparing transurethral resection of bladder tumor undertaken with narrow band imaging with those undertaken with white light that reported recurrence rates of at least 12 months were included in the analysis. Primary outcomes were recurrence rates at 12 and 24 months. Secondary outcomes were reported adverse effects. A total of 387 abstracts were screened, of which 14 full text identified and three studies included in the meta‐analysis (921 patients). Meta‐analysis did not show a statistically significant benefit to narrow band imaging at 12 months; risk ratio 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.50–1.14, P = 0.18, I2 = 61%). No included studies provided recurrence data beyond 12 months. Adverse effects were reported in one study and no significant difference of complication rate was observed between the two groups. Risk of bias was assessed to be generally low, and grading of recommendations assessment development and evaluations were of high certainty. This meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials shows no difference in recurrence rates using narrow band imaging, although a trend in its favor was identified. Limitations include the varied reporting and administration of adjuvant therapies. Further well‐designed trials are required to examine the benefit of this technology.
Entre precarización, control algorítmico y movilización. Efectos de la pandemia de COVID‐19 en las y los repartidores de plataformas en Argentina y Chile
Authors: GUTIÉRREZ CROCCO Francisca , ATZENI Maurizio 
Published: August 2021

ResumenSe analizan los efectos de la pandemia en el proceso de trabajo en dos plataformas digitales de reparto que operan en Argentina y Chile: Rappi y PedidosYa. A partir de entrevistas semiestructuradas y análisis de prensa y páginas web, se constata cómo las plataformas han descargado sobre las trabajadoras y trabajadores los costos de la crisis a través del uso instrumental de la figura del contratista independiente y la intensificación del control. Los repartidores han reaccionado a esta situación a través de múltiples formas de resistencia que van desde el arriendo o préstamo de cuentas a la organización de paros internacionales.
Roles of the protein disulphide isomerases AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 in response to oxidant stress in Apis cerana cerana
Authors: Zhao G. , Meng J. , Wang C. , Wang L. , Wang H. , Tian M. , Ma L. , Guo X. , Xu B. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractProtein disulphide isomerase (PDI) plays an important role in a variety of physiological processes through its oxidoreductase activity and molecular chaperone activity. In this study, we cloned two PDI family members, AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3, from Apis cerana cerana. AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 had typical sequence features of PDI family members and were constitutively expressed in A. cerana cerana. The expression levels of AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 were generally upregulated after treatment with a variety of environmental stress factors. Inhibition assays showed that E. coli expressing recombinant AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 proteins was more resistant to oxidative stress than control E. coli. In addition, silencing AccPDIA1 or AccPDIA3 in A. cerana cerana resulted in significant changes in the expression levels of several antioxidant‐related genes as well as the enzymatic activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and reduced the survival rate of A. cerana cerana under oxidative stress caused by high temperature. In conclusion, our results suggest that AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 may play important roles in the antioxidant activities of A. cerana cerana.
Differential pricing strategies of ride‐sharing platforms: choosing customers or drivers?
Authors: Zhao Daozhi , Yuan Ziwei , Chen Mingyang , Yang Shuang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractRide‐sharing platforms, such as Uber and Didi Chuxing, widely use differential pricing strategies to encourage platform participation. However, it remains unclear whether differential pricing strategies in ride sharing are reasonable when users care about price fairness. Moreover, platforms face a unique dilemma when considering differential pricing: should it be used for customers, drivers, or both? On the demand side, platforms must deal with taxi competition, while the supply side contends with government regulation; it is this dilemma that motivates our work. Using a stylized model that includes price fairness, market conditions, and government policies, we consider four ride‐sharing platform pricing strategies: uniform pricing, differential customer pricing, differential driver pricing, and bilateral differential pricing. We present results from three perspectives. For platforms, we obtain feasible regions in all four pricing strategies. If the maximal number of potential drivers is below certain thresholds, a platform will use differential driver pricing. Conversely, differential customer pricing is optimal when the maximal number of potential drivers is sufficiently large. Moreover, when customers have stronger fairness concerns, platforms tend to use differential driver pricing to reduce competition. From the government perspective, when a platform charges customers differently, the government can achieve a win‐win solution for sustainable development and market stability by setting a proper taxi rate. Interestingly, we find that, for the demand and supply sides, an increase in fairness concerns may hurt customers and drivers under certain conditions.
How the mere desire for certainty can lead to a preference for men in authority (particularly among political liberals)
Authors: Baldner Conrad , Pierro Antonio , di Santo Daniela , Cabras Cristina 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWomen are harmed by stereotypes about their fit for positions of authority and changing these stereotypes is not a simple task. As stereotypes have strong epistemic properties, individuals with a high need for cognitive closure (NCC; i.e., the desire for epistemic certainty) can be more likely to accept these stereotypes and, consequently, to prefer men in positions of authority. Consistent with the reactive liberal hypothesis, this effect could be actually more visible among individuals with both a high NCC and left‐wing political orientations. We supported these hypotheses in a series of three studies. In Study 1 (N = 217), we found that manipulated NCC predicted preference for men in authority through stereotypes of women as not being fit for authority in a measurement‐of‐mediation design. In Study 2 (N = 151), we supported this effect in a mediation‐as‐process design. In Study 3 (N = 391), we found the indirect NCC effect on preference for men in authority was more visible among political liberals. A major implication of this work is that ways of changing the effect of these stereotypes should take into account the NCC, but particularly among individuals with left‐wing beliefs.
Do host‐associated microbes show a contrarian latitudinal diversity gradient? Insights from Mytilus californianus, an intertidal foundation host
Authors: Neu Alexander T. , Allen Eric E. , Roy Kaustuv 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAimThe latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is one of the most pervasive large‐scale trends in biodiversity. However, whether microbial taxa also conform to this pattern remains poorly known. This study uses the gill and shell‐surface microbiomes of the marine bivalve Mytilus californianus to test whether the diversity of host‐associated microbial communities declines with increasing latitude, as predicted by the LDG.LocationNortheastern Pacific coast, ranging from Sitka, AK to La Jolla, CA, USA (spanning 24.12 degrees of latitude).TaxonBacteria and Archaea associated with M. californianus gills and shell‐surfaces.MethodsWe amplified and sequenced the 16S rRNA gene from M. californianus gill and shell‐surface samples. We used linear and quadratic regressions, accounting for spatial autocorrelation when needed, of average alpha and gamma diversities of the whole microbiome, as well as individual microbial clades, to determine whether these taxa conformed to the traditional LDG. We also used permutational multivariate analysis of variance to determine the level of compositional differentiation among sampling sites.ResultsGill and shell‐surface microbiota show differing latitudinal diversity patterns, with both micro‐environments exhibiting high levels of compositional differentiation along latitude. Individual microbial clades within each micro‐environment also show different latitudinal trends, most likely due to differing ecologies and life histories.Main conclusionsMytilus californianus‐associated microbial taxa show a flat, hump‐shaped or contrarian LDG, suggesting that a steep decline in diversity with increasing latitude may not be a universal pattern across different domains of life.
Transition from transesophageal echocardiography to cardiac computed tomography for the evaluation of left atrial appendage thrombus prior to atrial fibrillation ablation and incidence of cerebrovascular events during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Akhtar Tauseef , Wallace Ryan , Daimee Usama A. , Hart Erica , Arbab‐Zadeh Armin , Marine Joseph E. , Berger Ronald , Calkins Hugh , Spragg David 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundTransesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is variably performed before atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation to evaluate left atrial appendage (LAA) thrombus. We describe our experience with transitioning to the pre‐ablation cardiac computed tomography (CT) approach for the assessment of LAA thrombus during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsWe studied consecutive patients undergoing AF ablation at our center. The study cohort was divided into pre‐ versus post‐COVID groups. The pre‐COVID cohort included ablations performed during the 1 year before the COVID‐19 pandemic; pre‐ablation TEE was used routinely to evaluate LAA thrombus in high‐risk patients. Post‐COVID cohort included ablations performed during the 1 year after the COVID‐19 pandemic; pre‐ablation CT was performed in all patients, with TEE performed only in patients with LAA thrombus by CT imaging. The demographics, clinical history, imaging, and ablation characteristics, and peri‐procedural cerebrovascular events (CVEs) were recorded.ResultsA total of 637 patients (pre‐COVID n = 424, post‐COVID n = 213) were studied. The mean age was 65.6 ± 10.1 years in the total cohort, and the majority were men. There was a significant increase in pre‐ablation CT imaging from pre‐ to post‐COVID cohort (74.8% vs. 93.9%, p ≤ .01), with a significant reduction in TEEs (34.6% vs. 3.7%, p ≤ .01). One patient in the post‐COVID cohort developed CVE following negative pre‐ablation CT. However, the incidence of peri‐procedural CVE between both cohorts remained statistically unchanged (0% vs. 0.4%, p = .33).ConclusionImplementation of pre‐ablation CT‐only imaging strategy with selective use of TEE for LAA thrombus evaluation is not associated with increased CVE risk during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Outcome of transvenous lead extraction of leads older than 20 years
Authors: Issa Ziad F. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundIn patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE), lead dwell time has been recognized as a risk factor for extraction failure and procedure‐related complications.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of TLE in patients with pacemaker or ICD leads with a dwell time of ≥20 years.MethodsThis is a single‐center retrospective study of all patients who underwent TLE of at least 1 pacemaker or ICD leads a dwell time of ≥20 years.ResultsDuring the study period, 124 patients were included in this analysis (50.8% female, mean age: 74.6 ± 10.7 years). Device‐related infection was the most common (92.7%) indication for TLE. Extraction was attempted for a total 313 leads, of which 182 leads had dwell times ≥20 years (median: 276 months; interquartile range: 255–300 months). Complete procedural success was achieved in 112/124 patients (90.3%), and clinical success in 119/124 patients (96.0%). Complete removal was achieved for 294 leads (93.9%), partial removal in 10 leads, and failure in 9 leads. Clinical success (combined complete and partial success) rates were higher for leads with dwell times <20 years compared to older leads (99.2% vs. 95.6%, p = .017). Major procedural complications (including 1 death) occurred in 7/124 patients (5.6%). Minor complications were observed in 8 patients (6.5%).ConclusionsTLE of very old (≥20 years) leads can be performed with reasonable success and safety when conducted at centers with expertise in lead management.
The long‐term efficacy and safety of combining ablation and left atrial appendage closure: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Feng , Sun Jin‐Yu , Wu Li‐Da , Hao Jian‐Feng , Wang Ru‐Xing 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundCombined ablation and left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) is an alternative for atrial fibrillation patients with a high risk of stroke. However, the long‐term outcomes of this combined procedure remain elusive.MethodsPubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched from the establishment of databases to 1 January 2021. Studies on the long‐term (defined as a mean follow‐up of approximately 12 months or longer) efficacy and safety outcomes of combined ablation and LAAC were included.ResultsA total of 16 studies comprising 1428 patients were enrolled. The pooled long‐term freedom rate from atrial arrhythmia was 0.66 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.59–0.71), long‐term successful rate sealing of LAAC was 1.00 (95% CI: 1.00–1.00), and ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack/systemic embolism during follow‐up was 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00–0.02). Meanwhile, of the periprocedural adverse events, phrenic nerve palsy, intracoronary air embolus, device embolization, and periprocedural death had a rate of 0.00 (95% CI: 0.00–0.00), procedure‐related bleeding events of 0.03 (95% CI: 0.02–0.04), and pericardial effusion requiring or not requiring intervention of 0.00 (95% CI: 0.00–0.01). Moreover, for the long‐term adverse events, device dislocation, intracranial bleeding, pericardial effusion requiring or not requiring intervention, and all‐cause mortality had a rate of 0.00 (95% CI: 0.00–0.00), device embolization of 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00–0.01), and other bleeding events of 0.01 (95% CI: 0.00–0.03).ConclusionThis meta‐analysis suggests that the combined atrial ablation and LAAC is an effective and safe strategy with long‐term benefits.
Purkinje triggers of ventricular fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hocini Mélèze , Ramirez F. Daniel , Szumowski Łukasz , Maury Philippe , Cheniti Ghassen , Duchateau Josselin , Pambrun Thomas , Derval Nicolas , Sacher Frédéric , Cochet Hubert , Jaïs Pierre , Haïssaguerre Michel 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIntroductionVentricular fibrillation (VF) is the main mechanism of sudden cardiac death in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). The origin of VF and the success of catheter ablation to eliminate recurrent episodes in this population are poorly understood.Methods and ResultsFrom 2010 to 2014, five patients with HCM (age 21 ± 9 years, three female) underwent invasive electrophysiological studies and ablation at our center after resuscitation from recurrent (9 ± 7) episodes of VF. Ventricular premature beats (VPBs), seen to initiate VF in certain cases, were recorded noninvasively before the ablation procedure. Postprocedural computed tomography (CT) was performed to correlate ablation sites with myocardial hypertrophy in three patients. Outcomes were assessed by clinical follow‐up and implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator interrogations. VPB triggers were localized invasively to the distal left Purkinje conduction system (left posterior fascicle [2], left anterior fascicle [1], and both fascicles [2]). All targeted VF triggers were successfully eliminated by radiofrequency ablation in the left ventricle. Among patients with postablation CT imaging, 93 ± 12% of ablation sites corresponded to hypertrophied segments. Over 50 ± 38 months, four of five patients were free from primary VF without antiarrhythmic drug therapy. One patient who had 13 episodes of VF before ablation had a single recurrence.ConclusionIn our study of patients with HCM and recurrent VF, VF was not initiated from the myocardium but rather from Purkinje arborization. These sources colocalized with the hypertrophic substrate, suggesting electromechanical interaction. Focal ablation at these sites was associated with a marked reduction in VF burden.