bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Seasonal and environmental effects on upper thermal limits of eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida)
Authors: Firth Britney L , Drake D Andrew R , Power Michael 
Published: June 2021

AbstractAnthropogenic stressors are predicted to increase water temperature, which can influence physiological, individual, and population processes in fishes. We assessed the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) of eastern sand darter (Ammocrypta pellucida), a small benthic fish listed as threatened under the Species at Risk Act in Canada. Field trials were conducted stream side June–November 2019 in the Grand River, Ontario, to encompass a range of ambient water temperatures (7–25°C) for which agitation temperature (Tag) and CTmax were determined. Additional measures were taken in the comparatively more turbid Thames River to test the effect of turbidity on both measures. In the Grand, Tag and CTmax ranged from 23°C to 33°C and 27°C to 37°C, respectively, and both significantly increased with ambient water temperature, with a high acclimation response ratio (0.49). The thermal safety margin (difference between ambient temperatures and CTmax) was smallest in July and August (~11°C) indicating that eastern sand darter lives closer to its physiological limit in summer. The between-river comparison indicated that turbidity had no significant influence on Tag and CTmax. Comparison of CTmax with in-river temperatures suggested that mean stream temperature 24 hours before the trial was most important for determining CTmax. Fish mass, temperature variance and maximum temperature in the 24-hour period prior to the CTmax trial were also shown to have some effect on determining CTmax. Overall, study results better define the sensitivity of eastern sand darter to temperature changes across the growing season and provide information to assess the availability of suitable thermal habitat for conservation purposes.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Increases the Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Children: A Population-Based Matched Cohort Study
Authors: Kuenzig M Ellen , Bitton Alain , Carroll Matthew W , Kaplan Gilaad G , Otley Anthony R , Singh Harminder , Nguyen Geoffrey C , Griffiths Anne M , Stukel Therese A , Targownik Laura E , Jones Jennifer L , Murthy Sanjay K , McCurdy Jeffrey D , Bernstein Charles N , Lix Lisa M , Peña-Sánchez Juan Nicolás , Mack David R , Jacobson Kevan , El-Matary Wael , Dummer Trevor J B , Fung Stephen G , Spruin Sarah , Nugent Zoann , Tanyingoh Divine , Cui Yunsong , Filliter Christopher , Coward Stephanie , Siddiq Shabnaz , Benchimol Eric I 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background and Aims
Although venous thromboembolism [VTE] is a well-known complication of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] in adults, limited data exist on the risk in children. We report the incidence of VTE among children with and without IBD.

Methods
We conducted a matched cohort study within a distributed network of population-based Canadian provincial health administrative databases. Children &lt;16 years diagnosed with IBD were identified using validated algorithms from administrative data in Alberta, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Québec and compared to age- and sex-matched children without IBD. Hospitalizations for VTE within 5 years of IBD diagnosis were identified. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to pool province-specific incidence rates and incidence rate ratios [IRR] with 95% confidence intervals [CI]. Hazard ratios [HR] from Cox proportional hazards models were pooled with fixed-effects meta-analysis.

Results
The 5-year incidence of VTE among 3593 children with IBD was 31.2 [95% CI 23.7–41.0] per 10 000 person-years [PY] compared to 0.8 [95% CI 0.4–1.7] per 10 000 PY among 16 289 children without IBD [unadjusted IRR 38.84, 95% CI 16.59–90.83; adjusted HR 22.91, 95% CI 11.50–45.63]. VTE was less common in Crohn’s disease than ulcerative colitis [unadjusted IRR 0.47, 95% CI 0.27–0.83; adjusted HR 0.52, 95% CI 0.29–0.94]. The findings were similar for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism when comparing children with and without IBD.

Conclusions
The risk of VTE is much higher in children with IBD than controls without IBD. While the absolute risk is low, we found a higher incidence rate than previously described in the pediatric literature.
Conference Presentation: An abstract based on the data included in this paper was presented at Canadian Digestive Diseases Week [Montréal, Canada] in March 2020.
Vitamin D Is Associated with α4β7+ Immunophenotypes and Predicts Vedolizumab Therapy Failure in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Gubatan John , Rubin Samuel J S , Bai Lawrence , Haileselassie Yeneneh , Levitte Steven , Balabanis Tatiana , Patel Akshar , Sharma Arpita , Sinha Sidhartha R , Habtezion Aida 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background and Aims
Vitamin D downregulates the in vitro expression of the gut-tropic integrin α4β7 on immune cells. The clinical relevance of this finding in patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that vitamin D is associated with α4β7 immunophenotypes and risk of vedolizumab [anti-α4β7] failure in IBD.

Methods
We performed single-cell immunophenotyping of peripheral and intestinal immune cells using mass cytometry [CyTOF] in vedolizumab-naïve patients with IBD [N = 48]. We analysed whole-genome mucosal gene expression [GSE73661] from GEMINI I and GEMINI long-term safety [LTS] to determine the association between vitamin D receptor [VDR] and integrin alpha-4 [ITGA4] and beta-7 [ITGB7] genes. We estimated the odds of vedolizumab failure with low pre-treatment vitamin D in a combined retrospective and prospective IBD cohort [N = 252] with logistic regression.

Results
Immunophenotyping revealed that higher 25[OH]D was associated with decreased α4β7+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells [R = -0.400, p &lt;0.01] and α4β7+ intestinal leukocytes [R = -0.538, p = 0.03]. Serum 25[OH]D was inversely associated with α4β7+ peripheral B cells and natural killer [NK] cells and α4β7+ intestinal B cells, NK cells, monocytes, and macrophages. Mucosal expression of VDR was inversely associated with ITGA4 and ITGB7 expression. In multivariate analysis, 25[OH]D &lt;25 ng/mL was associated with increased vedolizumab primary non-response during induction (odds ratio [OR] 26.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14.30–48.90, p &lt;0.001) and failure at 1-year follow-up [OR 6.10, 95% CI 3.06–12.17, p &lt;0.001].

Conclusions
Low serum 25[OH]D is associated with α4β7+ immunophenotypes and predicts future vedolizumab failure in patients with IBD.

Podcast
This article has an associated podcast which can be accessed at https://academic.oup.com/ecco-jcc/pages/podcast
Weekend vs. weekday admission and clinical outcomes in heart failure patients with and without atrial fibrillation in Taiwan
Authors: Hu Wei-Syun , Lin Cheng-Li 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Aims
We conducted this study to explore the associations of weekend and weekday admission with the clinical events among heart failure (HF) patients with and without comorbid atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods and results
In this study, we recruited 57 919 HF patients without AF hospitalized on weekends and 57 919 HF patients without AF hospitalized on weekdays. There were 21407 and 21407 HF patients with AF hospitalized on weekends and weekdays, respectively. The outcomes of interest included all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CV) death, and HF recurrence requiring admission. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was applied to estimate the hazard ratio. Variables found to be statistically significant in a univariable Cox proportional hazard regression model were further examined in a multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression model. The cumulative incidence curves were obtained by the Kaplan–Meier method and assessed by the log-rank test. HF patients with AF and hospitalized on weekends had the highest incidence rates of rehospitalization due to HF (233.8 per 1000 person-years) and CV death (23.9 per 1000 person-years) among four groups. The Kaplan–Meier method shows that HF patients with AF had the higher cumulative incidence of rehospitalization due to HF than the patients without AF.

Conclusion
HF patients with AF and hospitalized on weekends are at highest risk of HF recurrence requiring hospitalization among these four groups.
A novel technique for Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot placement for bronchopleural fistula: a traction method
Authors: Date Naoki , Komatsu Teruya , Fujinaga Takuji 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Empyema with bronchopleural fistula is a challenging condition that often requires open-window thoracostomy. Bronchial occlusion with Endobronchial Watanabe Spigot is an effective and less invasive procedure to close the fistula; however, delivering a spigot into the target bronchus requires high technical skills. Herein, we report a case of bronchopleural fistula occluded with a spigot using a new ‘traction method’ in which the spigot is tied as an anchor to a guidewire and pulled into the target bronchus. Our method allows selective and steady placement of the spigot for patients who undergo open-window thoracostomy for the treatment of bronchopleural fistula.
Extracellular vesicles from immortalized cardiosphere-derived cells attenuate arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in desmoglein-2 mutant mice
Authors: Lin Yen-Nien , Mesquita Thassio , Sanchez Lizbeth , Chen Yin-Huei , Liu Weixin , Li Chang , Rogers Russell , Wang Yizhou , Li Xinling , Wu Di , Zhang Rui , Ibrahim Ahmed , Marbán Eduardo , Cingolani Eugenio 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Aims
Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is characterized by progressive loss of cardiomyocytes, and fibrofatty tissue replacement. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by cardiosphere-derived cells, immortalized, and engineered to express high levels of β-catenin, exert anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects. The aim of the current study was to assess efficacy of EVs in an ACM murine model.

Methods and results
Four-week-old homozygous knock-in mutant desmoglein-2 (Dsg2mt/mt) were randomized to receive weekly EVs or vehicle for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, DSG2mt/mt mice receiving EVs showed improved biventricular function (left, P &lt; 0.0001; right, P = 0.0037) and less left ventricular dilation (P &lt; 0.0179). Electrocardiography revealed abbreviated QRS duration (P = 0.0003) and QTc interval (P = 0.0006) in EV-treated DSG2mt/mt mice. Further electrophysiology testing in the EV group showed decreased burden (P = 0.0042) and inducibility of ventricular arrhythmias (P = 0.0037). Optical mapping demonstrated accelerated repolarization (P = 0.0290) and faster conduction (P = 0.0274) in Dsg2mt/mt mice receiving EVs. DSG2mt/mt hearts exhibited reduced fibrosis, less cell death, and preserved connexin 43 expression after EV treatment. Hearts of Dsg2mt/mt mice expressed markedly increased levels of inflammatory cytokines that were, in part, attenuated by EV therapy. The pan-inflammatory transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), the inflammasome sensor NLRP3, and the macrophage marker CD68 were all reduced in EV-treated animals. Blocking EV hsa-miR-4488 in vitro and in vivo reactivates NF-κB and blunts the beneficial effects of EVs.

Conclusions
Extracellular vesicle treatment improved cardiac function, reduced cardiac inflammation, and suppressed arrhythmogenesis in ACM. Further studies are needed prior to translating the present findings to human forms of this heterogenous disease.
Cumulated burden of COVID-19 in Spain from a Bayesian perspective
Authors: Moriña David , Fernández-Fontelo Amanda , Cabaña Alejandra , Arratia Argimiro , Ávalos Gustavo , Puig Pedro 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background
The main goal of this work is to estimate the actual number of cases of COVID-19 in Spain in the period 31 January 2020 to 01 June 2020 by Autonomous Communities. Based on these estimates, this work allows us to accurately re-estimate the lethality of the disease in Spain, taking into account unreported cases.

Methods
A hierarchical Bayesian model recently proposed in the literature has been adapted to model the actual number of COVID-19 cases in Spain.

Results
The results of this work show that the real load of COVID-19 in Spain in the period considered is well above the data registered by the public health system. Specifically, the model estimates show that, cumulatively until 1 June 2020, there were 2 425 930 cases of COVID-19 in Spain with characteristics similar to those reported (95% credibility interval: 2 148 261–2 813 864), from which were actually registered only 518 664.

Conclusions
Considering the results obtained from the second wave of the Spanish seroprevalence study, which estimates 2 350 324 cases of COVID-19 produced in Spain, in the period of time considered, it can be seen that the estimates provided by the model are quite good. This work clearly shows the key importance of having good quality data to optimize decision-making in the critical context of dealing with a pandemic.
Novel auto-selection systems for transformation selection of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in rich complex media
Authors: Höler Sebastian , Bertl Adam , Degreif Daniel 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT
The most widely used strategy for selection of yeast transformed with episomal plasmids comprises the use of auxotrophic yeast strains in combination with vectors containing complementing prototrophic marker genes. Another approach uses heterologous genes or cassettes which, if present in the vector, render the otherwise sensitive yeast strain resistant to antibiotics. In addition, auto-selection systems for Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been developed that eliminate the requirement for synthetic drop-out media or the use of antibiotics for transformation selection and subsequent plasmid maintenance in expression cultures. Here we describe a combination of host strain and vector system introducing a novel concept of auto-selection systems that allows for easy and robust propagation of host cells deleted in essential genes in supplemented media before being transformed with rescuing plasmids. With that, our approach is favorable over commonly used selection strategies and has major advantage over other auto-selection systems. Our approach complements the auto-selection toolbox already available for S. cerevisiae, thus contributing a novel system that enables the use of complex peptone-based media for protein expression and metabolic engineering approaches. We therefore expect that this new strategy will be of general interest to the yeast research community in academia and industry.
Steeling or Sensitizing? A Longitudinal Examination of How Ongoing Accumulation of Negative Life Events Affects Depressive Symptoms in Older Adults
Authors: Kok Almar A L , Twisk Jos W R , Blom Fenneke , Beekman Aartjan T F , Huisman Martijn 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Objectives
To examine whether (a) as people age, accumulation of negative events increases (“sensitizing”) or decreases (“steeling”) the detrimental effects of subsequent events on depressive symptoms, and (b) how particular psychosocial factors are associated with the strength of these steeling or sensitizing effects.

Method
We used data from 6 measurement waves from 2,069 adults aged 55–84 (M = 68.0) at baseline in the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We included 18 different life events across the life course. Using hybrid multilevel models, we tested whether the effects of proximate life events (&lt;3 years) on depressive symptoms (measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale) were moderated by previous cumulative events (childhood until previous measurement wave). Additionally, we tested whether education, mastery, emotional support, neuroticism, having strong faith, and loneliness were associated with the strength of steeling/sensitizing effects.

Results
Cumulative and proximate life events were independently associated with more depressive symptoms. Interaction effects indicated that the more cumulative life events, the weaker the effects of recent life events, suggesting a “steeling” effect. Unexpectedly, 3-way interaction effects showed that higher mastery and lower neuroticism were associated with weaker steeling effects. These effects were predominantly attributable to within-person changes rather than to fixed between-person differences. Results from analyses with event severity scores were similar.

Conclusions
As a population, older adults appear to become more resilient against new stressors as they accumulate experience in dealing with negative life events. Findings on mastery tentatively suggest that accepting limits to one’s own control over life circumstances may foster a steeling effect.
Stress Among Older Adults With an Incarcerated Family Member: Testing the Buffering Model of Social Support
Authors: Fahmy Chantal , Testa Alexander 
Published: June 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis study investigates whether levels of social support moderate the association between age and stress among a sample of individuals who have a family member incarcerated.MethodsSurvey responses from individuals who are members of a nonprofit organization for individuals with a family member incarcerated in Texas were used (n = 376). Ordinary least squares regression analysis was conducted to assess the interaction between age and levels of social support on stress.ResultsFindings demonstrated a negative interaction between social support and age (b = −0.040, p = .027), indicating that higher levels of social support buffer against stress for older adults.DiscussionThe theoretical mechanisms linking social support to reductions in stress among older individuals experiencing highly stressful life events (i.e., familial incarceration), as well as the policy and practical implications for enhancing social support among older individuals with a family member incarcerated, are discussed.
Multiple graph realizations method: improving the accuracy and the efficiency of the shortest path method through random sampling
Authors: Bogiatzis Petros , Rychert Catherine A , Harmon Nicholas 
Published: June 2021

SUMMARY
We present a new implementation of the shortest path method (SPM) that calculates accurate traveltimes in arbitrarily large model spaces without the requirement of large computational times and large amounts of memory, an inherent problem of the Dijkstra's-like algorithms. The multiple graph realizations method is based upon multiple sampling of the model space, using numerous random graphs. The performance of this new method is compared against the conventional way to improve the accuracy of SPM, which is to use denser grids and connectivity stencils of higher order. Our results suggest that although for relatively small models, single runs of the SPM are more suitable to achieve the desired accuracy, in large models, and after a certain level of desired accuracy, this approach becomes inefficient or even unfeasible, as the requirements in memory and computational time increases dramatically. On the contrary our method can achieve the desired accuracy with linear impact in computational time and negligible impact in required memory.
Promoting a More Integrated Approach to Structure and Function
Authors: Jeffery Constance J , Dorgan Kelly M , Pysh Leonard 
Published: June 2021

Synopsis
The connection between structure and function is one of the fundamental tenets of biology: a biological unit’s structure determines its function, and, conversely, its function depends upon its structure. Historically, important advances have been made either when understanding of structure leads to questions about function or when understanding of function raises questions about the structures involved. Consequently, considering the connections between structure and function from a broader perspective might lead to the development of novel hypotheses that move our understanding of the fundamental connections between structure and function forward. Better integration of structure and function is a key component in the broader goal of reintegrating biology within and across scales. Here, we provide examples of how integrating studies of structure and function as well as comparing structure–function relationships across biological scales can lead to scientific advances. We also emphasize the potential of integrating studies of structure and function across scales for bio-inspired design and for improving biology education.
Implementing Fabrication as a Pedagogical Tool in Vertebrate Anatomy Courses: Motivation, Inclusion, and Lessons
Authors: Staab Katie Lynn 
Published: June 2021

SynopsisIncreasing course structure by incorporating active learning and multimodal pedagogical strategies benefits all learners. Students of vertebrate anatomy can especially benefit from practicing fabrication, or “making”, incorporating skills such as 3D digital modeling, 3D printing, and using familiar low-tech materials to construct informed replicas of animal anatomy. Student perceptions of active learning projects are shaped by motivation theories such as the expectancy-value theory and self-directed learning, both of which are briefly reviewed here. This paper offers inspiration and resources to instructors for establishing a makerspace in an anatomy lab and leveraging community partners to stimulate students to construct their own versions of nature's designs. Learning science in informal environments and specifically in makerspaces has been shown to promote equity and increase motivation to study science. Examples here emphasize accessibility for diverse learners, including strategies for instructors to ensure ease of student access to 3D technology. Scaffolding formative assessments builds student confidence and expertise, further closing opportunity gaps. Two specific cases are detailed where fabrication and the use of 3D digital models are used to augment student learning of vertebrate anatomy at a small liberal arts college. In a semester-long research project in an introductory biomechanics course, students investigate, write about, and build models of animal anatomy of their choice. They use simple materials, crafting supplies, household tools, and/or 3D printing to demonstrate structures of interest, enhancing understanding of the physical principles of animal form and function. Given increased availability of CT data online, students can download, analyze, and 3D print skeletal models of both common and endangered animals. Comparative anatomy students reported that they had increased motivation to study intricate skeletal anatomy simply by manipulating bones in a 3D software assignment. Students in both classes reported enjoying the use of fabrication in learning vertebrate anatomy and this may establish a pattern of lifelong learning.