bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bottom‐up effects of fungicides on tadpoles of the European common frog (Rana temporaria)
Authors: Bundschuh Mirco , Zubrod Jochen P. , Wernicke Theo , Konschak Marco , Werner Leon , Brühl Carsten A. , Baudy Patrick , Schulz Ralf 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBiodiversity is under pressure worldwide, with amphibians being particularly threatened. Stressors related to human activity, such as chemicals, are contributing to this decline. It remains, however, unclear whether chemicals exhibiting a fungicidal activity could indirectly affect tadpoles that depend on microbially conditioned leaf litter as food source. The indirect effect of fungicides (sum concentration of a fungicide mixture composed of azoxystrobin, carbendazim, cyprodinil, quinoxyfen, and tebuconazole: 100 µg/L) on tadpoles was assessed relative to leaf litter colonized by microbes in absence of fungicides (control) and a worst‐case scenario, that is leached leaf litter without microbial colonization. The quality of leaf litter as food for tadpoles of the European common frog (Rana temporaria) was characterized through neutral lipid fatty acid profiles and microbial sum parameters and verified by sublethal responses in tadpoles (i.e., feeding rate, feces production, growth, and fatty acid composition). Fungicides changed the nutritious quality of leaf litter likely through alterations in leaves’ neutral lipid fatty acid profiles (i.e., changes in some physiologically important highly unsaturated fatty acids reached more than 200%) in combination with a potential adsorption onto leaves during conditioning. These changes were reflected by differences in the development of tadpoles ultimately resulting in an earlier start of metamorphosis. Our data provide a first indication that fungicides potentially affect tadpole development indirectly through bottom‐up effects. This pathway is so far not addressed in fungicide environmental risk assessment and merits further attention.
Patterns of testosterone in male white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): Seasonal and lifetime variation
Authors: Gomes Monet A. , Ditchkoff Stephen S. , Zohdy Sarah , Gulsby William D. , Newbolt Chad H. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTestosterone is strongly associated with the annual development of antlers in cervids, but endocrine research on wild, freely breeding ungulates is often done without repeated capture of known‐aged individuals. As a result, our knowledge on how testosterone fluctuates over the course of a lifetime and variation in lifetime patterns among individuals is limited. We investigated patterns of testosterone in a freely breeding population of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in Alabama, USA, that breeds in January. Testosterone peaked during the height of the breeding season, despite this period occurring approximately 2 months later than in most temperate‐region white‐tailed deer populations. Age‐related differences in testosterone were only prevalent during the breeding season, with bucks ≥3.5 years old having greater testosterone (853 ng/dl ± 96 SE; p = 0.012) than bucks 1.5–2.5 years old (364 ng/dl ± 100 SE). Additionally, an individual's testosterone level as a yearling was not positively associated with their lifetime maximum testosterone level (p = 0.583), and an individual's mean testosterone level was positively associated with lifetime testosterone variation (p < 0.001). To our knowledge, our study is one of the first to assess how testosterone early in life might relate to individual testosterone later in life. We believe these data provide insight into lifetime hormonal patterns in cervids, and that these patterns may indicate intraspecific variation of lifetime reproductive strategies.
Effects of salinity and temperature on tuber sprouting and growth of Schoenoplectus nipponicus
Authors: Tang Haoran , Bai Jiangshan , Chen Fangyuan , Liu Ying , Lou Yanjing 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn a scenario of climate change and intensive land‐use change, the issue of salt marsh degradation caused by global warming and soil salinization is becoming more serious. A climate chamber experiment was conducted to examine the responses of tuber sprouting and seedling growth of Schoenoplectus nipponicus to variations in the temperature regimes (20/10, 25/15, 30/20 and 35/25°C; 12‐h light/dark 12‐h photoperiod) and different salt concentrations (0, 50, 75, and 100 mmol/L salinity). Results showed that the final sprouting percentage decreased with the increase in salinity and increased with the rising temperature. Salinity lower than 50 mmol/L was the most favorable for tuber sprouting. Under high salinity (75 and 100 mmol/L salinity), the inhibition of tuber sprouting at 20/10°C was greater than other temperature regimes. Along the temperature gradients, both plant height and leaf N content increased, and root length decreased under non‐saline‐alkali conditions, while plant height, leaf N content, and root length declined significantly under salt stress (50, 75, and 100 mmol/L salinity). With the increase in temperature, the production of tubers under the control treatments was enhanced significantly, but that under salt stress declined significantly. Under 0 mmol/L salinity, the accumulation of biomass in various organs increased with rising temperature. Biomass accumulation increased first and then declined for plants grown under salt stress, with a peak value of 25/15°C. Root: shoot ratio was reduced significantly under the combination of high salt stress (75 and 100 mmol/L salinity) and high temperatures (30/20°C and 35/25°C). Our study will contribute to a better understanding of the influence of climate warming and increasing serious human disturbances on this important wetland species.
Correctly applying lapse rates in ecological studies: comparing temperature observations and gridded data in Yellowstone
Authors: Tercek Michael T. , Rodman Ann , Woolfolk Shannon , Wilson Zachary , Thoma David , Gross John 
Published: March 2021

AbstractResearchers often use gridded datasets to develop statistical relationships between climate and natural resources at locations that are distant from weather stations. These gridded datasets may provide inaccurate estimates of temperature at sites with elevations that differ significantly from the elevation assigned to the corresponding grid cell. We assess the accuracy of three gridded climate datasets commonly used in ecological studies (800‐m resolution PRISM, 4‐km GRIDMET, and 1‐km Daymet) compared with a network of 153 temperature dataloggers arranged along elevation transects in Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho). Measured lapse rates for monthly average daytime high temperatures were generally steeper (more cooling per unit of elevation increase) than lapse rates in gridded datasets and steeper than those in similar mountainous regions. Measured lapse rates for monthly average nighttime lows were similar to gridded data lapse rates. Our measured lapse rates are most useful for the adjustment of daytime highs from weather stations or gridded data during warmer months. Temperatures during cooler months sometimes are strongly affected by other factors. Ecologically relevant metrics calculated from temperatures adjusted with constant lapse rates can increase multiplicatively and by varying amounts from year to year. For example, high‐elevation estimates of climatic water deficit (CWD) calculated from gridded data that were not adjusted with our measured lapse rates were 2.5–4 times greater (depending on the year) than calculations from temperatures that were adjusted. Our results emphasize the importance of correcting grid‐based climate estimates for elevation in complex terrain when accurate, site‐specific data are required. When the elevation assigned to grid cells differs significantly from the elevation of points within the cell, the lapse rate obtained for data extracted from grids can be shallower than the true rate. We illustrate the implications of these findings with case studies in Yellowstone.
Seasonal turnover in community composition of stream‐associated macroinvertebrates inferred from freshwater environmental DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Reinholdt Jensen Mads , Egelyng Sigsgaard Eva , Agersnap Sune , Jessen Rasmussen Jes , Baattrup‐Pedersen Annette , Wiberg‐Larsen Peter , Francis Thomsen Philip 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMacroinvertebrate communities are crucial for biodiversity monitoring and assessment of ecological status in stream ecosystems. However, traditional monitoring approaches require intensive sampling and rely on invasive morphological identifications that are time‐consuming and dependent on taxonomic expertise. Importantly, sampling is often only carried out once in a year, namely during late winter–spring, where most indicator taxa have larval stages in the streams. Hence, species with divergent phenology might not be detected. Here, we use environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding of filtered water samples collected in both spring and autumn from five streams in Denmark to address seasonal turnover in community composition of stream macroinvertebrates. We find that eDNA read data from the same stream sampling site clearly show different communities in spring and autumn, respectively. For three of the five streams, season even appears to be a more important factor than sampling site for explaining the variation in community composition. Finally, we compare eDNA data with a near‐decadal dataset of taxon occurrences in the same five streams based on kick sampling conducted through a national monitoring program. This comparison reveals an overlap in species composition, but also that the two approaches provide complementary rather than identical insights into community composition. Our study demonstrates that aquatic eDNA metabarcoding is useful for species detection across highly diverse taxa and for identifying seasonal patterns in community composition of freshwater macroinvertebrates. Thus, our results have important implications for both fundamental research in aquatic ecology and for applied biomonitoring.
Abnormalities of intrinsic brain activity in essential tremor: A meta‐analysis of resting‐state functional imaging
Authors: Lan Huan , Suo Xueling , Li Wenbin , Li Nannan , Li Junying , Peng Jiaxin , Lei Du , Sweeney John A. , Kemp Graham J. , Peng Rong , Gong Qiyong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNeuroimaging studies using a variety of techniques have demonstrated abnormal patterns of spontaneous brain activity in patients with essential tremor (ET). However, the findings are variable and inconsistent, hindering understanding of underlying neuropathology. We conducted a meta‐analysis of whole‐brain resting‐state functional neuroimaging studies in ET compared to healthy controls (HC), using anisotropic effect‐size seed‐based d mapping, to identify the most consistent brain activity alterations and their relation to clinical features. After systematic literature search, we included 13 studies reporting 14 comparisons, describing 286 ET patients and 254 HC. Subgroup analyses were conducted considering medication status, head tremor status, and methodological factors. Brain activity in ET is altered not only in the cerebellum and cerebral motor cortex, but also in nonmotor cortical regions including prefrontal cortex and insula. Most of the results remained unchanged in subgroup analyses of patients with head tremor, medication‐naive patients, studies with statistical threshold correction, and the large subgroup of studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging. These findings not only show consistent and robust abnormalities in specific brain regions but also provide new information on the biology of patient heterogeneity, and thus help to elucidate the pathophysiology of ET.
Colonoscopy and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Retrospective Territory‐Wide Cohort Study
Authors: Zhang Xinrong , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , Yip Terry Cheuk‐Fung , Tse Yee‐Kit , Liang Lilian Yan , Hui Vicki Wing‐Ki , Li Guan‐Lin , Chan Henry Lik‐Yuen , Wong Grace Lai‐Hung 
Published: March 2021

The benefit of colonoscopy and/or polypectomy for colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear. We aimed to estimate the incidence rate of CRC in patients with NAFLD who had and had not undergone colonoscopy. We conducted a retrospective territory‐wide cohort study for patients aged over 40 years with NAFLD identified with the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2014. Patients were followed until CRC diagnosis, death, or December 31, 2017. We estimated CRC incidence and standardized incidence ratio (SIR) using the general population of Hong Kong as reference. We included 8,351 patients with NAFLD in the final analysis (median age, 56.2 years; interquartile ratio [IQR], 49.2‐65.3 years; 45.4% male; median follow‐up, 7.4 years; IQR, 5.4‐9.6 years). Compared with the general population, patients with NAFLD who had not undergone colonoscopy had a higher incidence of CRC (SIR, 2.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.64‐2.88; P < 0.001). Patients with NAFLD who had undergone colonoscopy had a lower incidence of CRC (SIR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.37‐0.75; P < 0.001), especially among those aged above 50 years or with diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with NAFLD with a high fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) score (>2.67) had a significantly higher risk of CRC after adjusting for demographic and metabolic factors. Conclusion: Patients with NAFLD who had undergone colonoscopy had a lower incidence of CRC than the general population, especially among those aged ≥50 years or with DM. A high FIB‐4 index was associated with a higher risk of CRC.
Cattaneo–Christov double‐diffusion model with Stefan blowing effect on copper–water nanofluid flow over a stretching surface
Authors: Negi Shubham , Rawat Sawan Kumar , Kumar Manoj 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe often encounter many processes where the cooling rate is a key factor in deciding the features of a desired product. Due to increasing demands of controlled cooling systems, an effort is made to theoretically study the effect of volume fraction on mixed convective Cu–water nanofluid flow over a stretching surface with activation energy and thermal radiation. The nonlinear dynamical system is simplified using apt similarity variables and the obtained ordinary differential equations are dealt numerically using Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg method and shooting scheme. The thermal and solutal equations are modeled considering Cattaneo–Christov double‐diffusion model. The flow problem is studied considering velocity slip and zero mass flux state at the surface. As a novelty, the present case considers the blowing effect at the surface to study massive species transport during nanofluid flow with Cattaneo–Christov double‐diffusion model. The results show that an increase in strength of thermal radiation increases temperature and buoyancy ratio parameter, thereby escalating the skin friction coefficient. When thermal relaxation parameter changes from 0.001 to 0.005, heat transfer coefficient improves by 24.36%. Furthermore, with the change in value of the blowing parameter from 0.1 to 0.1015, the maximum value concentration of nanoparticles that is attained during the flow is increased by 7.15%.
Gene expression differences for drought stress response in three cool‐season turfgrasses
Authors: Bushman B. Shaun , Robbins Matthew D. , Warnke Scott E. , Martin Ruth , Harris‐Shultz Karen , Amundsen Keenan E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractMany efforts in the USA have focused on turfgrass tolerances to drought imposition as means to reduce their need for irrigation. As part of this effort, our research groups have subjected multiple species and varieties to drought and collected transcript expression profiles of genes that were differentially expressed under stress and control conditions. We generated lists of transcripts and gene families differentially expressed in Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and creeping bentgrass; and we compared each species’ differentially expressed transcript set across all three species. The gene families with differentially expressed transcript isoforms in each species and across all three species were annotated and characterized. By examining these datasets, we found key genetic mechanisms by which these species respond to drought stress. Specific genes, such as ABA responsive LEA homologs, show their crucial nature upon drought stress in all three species. Other gene families, such as E3 ubiquitin ligases, exhibited different gene family members in each species and highlight the species‐specific responses to drought.
Further results on large sets of partitioned incomplete Latin squares
Authors: Shen Cong , Li Dongliang , Cao Haitao 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this article, we continue to study the existence of large sets of partitioned incomplete Latin squares (LSPILS). We complete the determination of the spectrum of an and prove that there exists an if and only if , and . We also start the investigation of LSPILS with two group sizes and prove that there exists an for all and except possibly for and . Furthermore, we obtain a pair of orthogonal s, where is a prime and .
Creating a novel strategy to reduce unnecessary laboratory testing based on healthcare cost analysis in high‐risk pregnancies and delivery ward
Authors: Shirazi Mahboobeh , Masoudian Yusuf , Feizabad Elham , Golshahi Fatemeh , Ghaemi Marjan 
Published: March 2021

ABSTRACTIntroductionInappropriate request for laboratory tests is a challenging problem and an important cause for additional healthcare costs. Indeed, it may have further ambiguity for the clinicians. This study aimed to design an education‐based program to reduce unnecessary laboratory testing orders and the associated costs.Materials and methodsIn this interventional prospective study that took place in an educational hospital, the type and frequency of selected laboratory testing requested by gynecology, and obstetrics residents in the patients with gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and premature preterm rupture of the membrane as well as cesarean section and normal vaginal delivery were analyzed periodically in a 1‐year interval. At the same time, continuous educational supports and monitoring were performed. The results were compared before and after interventions.ResultsThe educational intervention regardless of the etiologies of the admission, decreased the requested laboratory testing significantly (p < 0.001), except for CBC. Indeed, no near misses or delays in treatment were observed. Cost analysis showed a 31.3% reduction of expenses per inpatient day due to the decrease in the number of daily laboratory testing ordered.ConclusionsAppropriate education and continuous monitoring of the residents could reduce the unrequired laboratory testing as well as healthcare costs.
Ursodeoxycholic acid for the prevention of gallstone and subsequent cholecystectomy following gastric surgery: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Choi Jin Ho , Lee Sang Hyub , Cho In Rae , Paik Woo Hyun , Ryu Ji Kon , Kim Yong‐Tae 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackground/PurposePatients who undergo gastric surgery are prone to form postsurgical gallstones. Debates still exist about the need for prevention and the selection of preventive methods. No studies had been reported comparing the efficacy of prophylactic ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and prophylactic cholecystectomy (PC) for lowering postsurgical gallstone formation and subsequent cholecystectomy (SC) in patients who have undergone gastric surgery.MethodsWe did a systematic review to identify studies from PUBMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane database through 30 June 2020. We conducted direct and indirect comparisons of each prophylaxis using conventional and network meta‐analysis. Studies with patients who have no history of cholecystectomy and who have not had preoperative gallstone were included.ResultsThe excellent preventive effects of PC and UDCA were demonstrated for gallstone formation (odds ratio [OR] 0.05, [95% CI 0.01, 0.22] and 0.20, [95% CI 0.16, 0.24], respectively) and the need for SC (OR 0.10, [95% CI 0.02, 0.57] and OR 0.22, [95% CI 0.14, 0.35], respectively) than control group. The UDCA group showed a tendency to generate more gallstones (OR 3.74, [95% CI 0.88, 15.82]) and a greater need for SC (OR 2.19, [95% CI 0.47‐10.14]) than did the PC group without statistical significance.ConclusionsProphylaxis for gallstone formation may be needed for patients who undergo gastric surgery to reduce troublesome morbidities. Prophylactic UDCA seems to be a reasonable preventive method for postsurgical gallstone formation to ensure clinical benefit while reducing the burden of subsequent cholecystectomy for the patient as compared to a PC.
Point‐of‐care testing can achieve same‐day diagnosis for infants and rapid ART initiation: results from government programmes across six African countries
Authors: Boeke Caroline E , Joseph Jessica , Wang Melody , Abate Zelalem M , Atem Charles , Coulibaly Khady Diatou , Kebede Adisu , Kiernan Brianán , Kingwara Leonard , Mangwendeza Phibeon , Maparo Tatenda , Mbaye Rose Nadege , Mukungunugwa Solomon , Ngugi Catherine , Nzuobontane Divine , Okomo Assoumou Marie Claire , Reta Yemsirach , Wambugu Barbara , Rioja Maria R , Peter Trevor , Doi Naoko , Vojnov Lara , Khan Shaukat , Sacks Jilian A 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionPoint‐of‐care (POC) early infant diagnosis (EID) testing has been shown to dramatically decrease turnaround times from sample collection to caregiver result receipt and time to ART initiation for HIV‐positive infants compared to centralized laboratory testing. As governments in sub‐Saharan Africa implement POC EID technologies, we report on the feasibility and effectiveness of POC EID testing and the impact of same‐day result delivery on rapid ART initiation within national programmes across six countries.MethodsThis pre‐/post‐evaluation compared centralized laboratory‐based (pre) with POC (post) EID testing in 52 facilities across Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal and Zimbabwe between April 2017 and October 2019 (country‐dependent). Data were collected retrospectively from routine records at health facilities for all infants tested under two years of age. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated to compare time‐to‐event outcomes, visualized with Kaplan–Meier curves, and the Somers’ D test was used to compare continuous outcomes.ResultsData were collected for 2892 EID tests conducted on centralized laboratory‐based platforms and 4610 EID tests on POC devices with 127 (4%) and 192 (4%) HIV‐positive infants identified, respectively. POC EID significantly reduced the time from sample collection to caregiver result receipt (POC median: 0 days, IQR: 0 to 0 vs. centralized: 35 days, IQR: 26 to 56) and time from sample collection to ART initiation for HIV‐positive infants (POC median: 1 day, IQR: 0 to 7 vs. centralized: 39 days, IQR: 26 to 57). With POC testing, 72% of infants received results on the same day as sample collection; HIV‐positive infants with a same‐day diagnosis had six times the rate of ART initiation compared to those diagnosed one or more days after sample collection (HR: 6.39; 95% CI: 3.44 to 11.85).ConclusionsSame‐day diagnosis and treatment initiation for infants is possible with POC EID within routine government‐led and ‐supported public sector healthcare facilities in resource‐limited settings. Given that POC EID allows for rapid ART initiation, aligning to the World Health Organization’s recommendation of ART initiation within seven days, its use in public sector programmes has the potential to reduce overall mortality for infants with HIV through early treatment initiation.