bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity: Results of the Russian online survey on spring 2020
Authors: Kontsevaya A , Mukaneeva D , Myrzamatova A , Khudyakov M , Drapkina O 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction
The Russian Federation reported one of the largest number of COVID-19 infections. In spring 2020 social distancing, travel bans, the cancellation of sporting and other mass participation events, and changes to work practices have dramatically affected daily life throughout the country. Major restrictions were introduced on the 28th March 2020 with the level of restrictions varied depending on the epidemiology of the virus from region to region. Cities with a large number of cases had the most strict restrictions such as limitations on any outdoor activities. In cities with a smaller number of cases limitations were less strict, especially with outdoor activities. Indoor sport activities were limited across the country and outdoor sports were restricted – depending on the situation in the region.
The aim of this study is to estimate the impact of COVID-19 on the levels of physical activity among adults in Russia.

Methods
Cross-sectional data were collected during the period of tightest restrictions between 26 April 2020 and 6 June 2020. The link on the on-line survey was distributed through the regional centers of public health. Eligible participants included all Russian adults aged 18 years and over. Participants reported frequency and duration of walking, moderate- and vigorous-intensity physical activity, and muscle strengthening activities before COVID-19 and during the past seven days.

Results
A convenience sample of 2432 adults from 62 regions of Russia completed a 15-min self-report questionnaire. Participants were primarily female (83%). Compared with before COVID-19, physical activity was adversely affected during COVID-19. The average time spent in MPA and VPA each declined by around 12 minutes per day (42.43 ± 37.57 to 30.44 ± 35.35 and 37.79 ± 37.80 to 26.56 ± 34.69, respectively [all P &lt; 0.001]). The number of minutes per day spent walking decreased by around 20 minutes from 60.5 ± 38.66 to 40.83 ± 38.6 (P &lt; 0.001). The proportion of participants who met the WHO Guidelines for physical activity declined from 68% to 49% (P &lt; 0.001). The proportion who participated in muscle strengthening activities for 2 or more days per week declined from 53% to 45% (P &lt; 0.001). Compared with those who did not use online PA resources, those who did were 1.4 (95%CI 1.3, 1.5) and 1.9 (95%CI 1.8, 2.1) times more likely to meet the recommendations for PA and for muscle-strengthening activities, respectively.

Conclusion
Effective health promotion strategies directed at adopting or maintain positive health-related behaviors such as targeted social media messaging and balanced media reporting, should be used to increase the physical activity during these unprecedented times.
Modelling the impact of compliance with WHO salt recommendations on cardiovascular mortality in Russia
Authors: Mukaneeva D , Kontsevaya A , Balanova YU , Khudyakov M , Drapkina O 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction
High salt intake is considered the primary diet-related risk factor (being responsible for 3 million deaths and 70 million DALYs), because of its association with NCDs, such as cardiovascular diseases (ischemic heart disease, stroke, and hypertension). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended daily salt intake is known to be &lt;5 g / day (2 g sodium per day). Despite strong evidence indicating that high salt intake relates to chronic diseases and mortality, most adults do not comply with dietary recommendations. The average amount of salt consumed per day is significantly higher and amounts to 11.35 g/day among Russian adults (2018).
The purpose of this study is to model the impact of following the national salt consumption recommendations in decreasing N of death attributable to excessive salt consumption.

Methods
This study provides a health impact evaluation, which models the effect of sodium reduction on mortality associated with blood pressure and CVD in 2018 in Russia. Cardiovascular disease included coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertensive disease, heart failure, aortic aneurysm, pulmonary embolism and rheumatic heart disease. The observed salt intake from the Russian National Health Survey of 2018 was used to determine the reference (baseline) scenario and the counterfactual scenario considered that average salt consumption was reduced to 5g/day. A comparative risk assessment model, the Preventable Risk Integrated ModEl (PRIME) was used to estimate the deaths from cardiovascular diseases that could be averted or postponed based on the sodium recommendation scenario compared to the baseline scenario. The sensitivity of the model to the results from the meta-analyses was assessed with Monte Carlo simulations.

Results
In 2018, an estimated 104 602 (95%: 46 832, 154 233) deaths from CVDs could have been prevented if the average salt consumption had been reduced to 5 g/day in Russia. Coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and hypertensive disease accounted for 97% of these deaths. The modelled reduction in deaths for coronary heart disease was 59 454, for stroke 37 306 and for hypertensive disease 4 833.

Conclusion
A considerable number of lives could be saved if Russians adhered to the national salt intake recommendations.
A comprehensive, contemporary assessment of the association between the presence of hepatosteatosis and the incidence of coronary artery disease on CT coronary angiography
Authors: Heseltine T , Hughes E , Packer M , Dunne T , Jones R , Murray SW , Ruzsics B 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Background
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing exponentially. The overall prevalence of NAFLD in the United States is predicted to increase to 33.5% of the adult population by 2030. Hepatosteatosis (HS) has been previously shown to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease events. We sought to investigate the association of clinical covariates and the presence of HS and coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients referred for computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA).
Methods
We performed a retrospective, observational analysis at a high-volume cardiac CT centre analysing consecutive CTCA studies. All patients referred for investigation of chest pain over a 28-month period (June 2014 to November 2016) were included. Covariates in those with CAD and patients without CAD were compared using compared using student"s t-test for continuous variables and chi-squared test for categorical variables. Logistic regression models were constructed for the multivariate analysis.
Results
In total there were 1499 patients referred for CTCA without prior evidence of CAD. Age, male sex, presence of hypertension and diabetes were significantly higher in those with CAD (table 1). HS evaluation was assessed in 1195 (79.7%). In the multivariate analysis significant predictors of CAD were male sex (OR 3.40, p &lt; 0.001), family history (OR 1.90, p = 0.003), current smoking (OR 1.80, p = 0.03) and increasing age (OR 1.12, p &lt; 0.001). The presence of HS was not associated with CAD when adjusted for risk factors (OR 1.05 CI:0.70-1.60, p = 0.80).

Conclusion
We found a significant association between the increasing age, presence of hypertension, male sex, diabetes and current smoking with presence of CAD as detected by CTCA. In contrast to recent evidence HS may not be an independent risk factor for the development of the development of CAD.
Summary statistics of the cohort No CAD (n = 881) CAD (n = 618) P Age (mean (SD)) 48.86 (±12.1) 57.9(±10.6) &lt;0.005* Male Sex (%) 343 (38.6%) 326 (51.1%) &lt;0.005* Hypertension (%) 193(21.9%) 239 (38.7%) &lt;0.005* Diabetes (%) 59 (6.7%) 86 (13.9%) &lt;0.005* Current Smoking (%) 139 (15.8%) 108 (17.5%) 0.423 FHx (%) 239 (27.1%) 167 (27%) 1 HS (%) 291 (33%) 247 (40%) 0.007* A comparison of clinical covariates for the cohort stratified by the presence of coronary artery disease. Statistical significance was assumed when p &lt; 0.05 and is denoted with *.
Cardiorespiratory fitness and electroanatomical remodelling in patients with atrial fibrillation
Authors: Mishima RS , Elliott AD , Ariyaratnam JP , Jones D , Nguyen O , Martin L , Noubiap JJ , Malik V , Mahajan R , Lau DH , Sanders P 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinically-relevant arrhythmia. Its initiation and maintenance is linked to the presence cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and obesity. Higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been associated with a better prognosis. However, specific electroanatomical features associated with baseline CRF have not been described.

Purpose
Compare electroanatomical substrate across exercise capacity levels in patients with AF

Methods
Patients referred for de novo AF radiofrequency ablation at the Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders from August 2017 until June 2020 were screened for inclusion and CRF was evaluated in metabolic equivalents (METs) by a symptom-limited maximal treadmill exercise test using the standard Bruce protocol prior to ablation. Predicted CRF was calculated based on established equations and patients were categorized according to the percentage of predicted CRF achieved; low (&lt;85%), adequate (85-100%) and high (&gt;100%). Total mean and regional peak-to-peak bipolar voltages, percent of low voltage areas (% LVA), conduction velocity (CV) and percent of complex fractionated electrograms (% CFE) in sinus rhythm were compared across groups.

Results
There were no between-group differences in baseline characteristics, medication use or echocardiographic features. Total mean voltage was significantly lower in the low CRF group compared to both adequate and high CRF. Compared to the high CRF group, roof (3.25 ± 1.2 mV vs 1.9 ± 1.3 mV, p &lt; 0.05), posterior (3.8 ± 1.8 mV vs 1.7 ± 0.9 mV, p &lt; 0.001) and inferior mean voltages (3.4 ± 2 mV vs 1.6 ± 0.7 mV, p &lt; 0.05) were significantly lower in the low CRF group (figure 1A). Furthermore, compared with the adequate CRF group, mean voltages were significantly lower in the posterior (3.7 ± 1.5 mV vs 1.7 ± 0.9 mV, p &lt; 0.001), inferior (3.4 ± 1 mV vs 1.6 ± 0.7 mV, p &lt; 0.001) and lateral (4.2 ± 2.2 mV vs 2.1 ± 1.4 mV, p &lt; 0.05) walls of the low CRF group. Anterior and septal mean voltages were not significantly different across CRF groups (P for trend = 0.07, 0.3 and 0.15, respectively). Conduction velocities were not significantly different across groups. The inferior %LVA was significantly higher in the low CRF (5.6 ± 6%) compared to adequate CRF group (23 ± 18%) (p &lt; 0.05) (figure 1B). Total and regional % CFE was higher in the low CRF compared to adequate and high CRF.

Conclusion
Participants in the lower baseline CRF category showed significant reductions in regional voltages along with higher fractionation with preserved conduction velocities. Research on the effect of physical activity and CRF on left atrial arrhythmogenic substrate is required.
Abstract Figure. Global and regional mV and % LVA by CRF
Understanding the differences in 2G ethanol fermentative scales through omics data integration
Authors: Carvalho Lucas M , Carvalho-Netto Osmar V , Calderón Luige L , Gutierrez Milena , de Assis Michelle A , Mofatto Luciana S , Camargo Antonio P , dos Santos Leandro V , Borelli Guilherme , Temer Beatriz , Araujo Guido , Pereira Gonçalo A G , Carazzolle Marcelo F 
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACTIn this work, we evaluated the fermentative performance and metabolism modifications of a second generation (2G) industrial yeast by comparing an industrial condition during laboratory and industrial scale fermentations. Fermentations were done using industrial lignocellulosic hydrolysate and a synthetic medium containing inhibitors and analyses were carried out through transcriptomics and proteomics of these experimental conditions. We found that fermentation profiles were very similar, but there was an increase in xylose consumption rate during fermentations using synthetic medium when compared to lignocellulosic hydrolysate, likely due to the presence of unknown growth inhibitors contained in the hydrolysate. We also evaluated the bacterial community composition of the industrial fermentation setting and found that the presence of homofermentative and heterofermentative bacteria did not significantly change the performance of yeast fermentation. In parallel, temporal differentially expressed genes (tDEG) showed differences in gene expression profiles between compared conditions, including heat shocks and the presence of up-regulated genes from the TCA cycle during anaerobic xylose fermentation. Thus, we indicate HMF as a possible electron acceptor in this rapid respiratory process performed by yeast, in addition to demonstrating the importance of culture medium for the performance of yeast within industrial fermentation processes, highlighting the uniquenesses according to scales.
Important role of melanin for fertility in the fungus Podospora anserina
Authors: Gautier Valérie , Levert Emilie , Giraud Tatiana , Silar Philippe 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Melanins are pigments used by fungi to withstand various stresses and to strengthen vegetative and reproductive structures. In Sordariales fungi, their biosynthesis starts with a condensation step catalyzed by an evolutionary-conserved polyketide synthase. Here we show that complete inactivation of this enzyme in the model ascomycete Podospora anserina through targeted deletion of the PaPks1 gene results in reduced female fertility, in contrast to a previously analyzed nonsense mutation in the same gene that retains full fertility. We also show the utility of PaPks1 mutants for detecting rare genetic events in P. anserina, such as parasexuality and possible fertilization and/or apomixis of nuclei devoid of mating-type gene.
Genome-wide analysis of the soybean root transcriptome reveals the impact of nitrate on alternative splicing
Authors: Guo Binhui , Dai Yi , Chen Lin , Pan Zhenzhi , Song Li 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In plants, nitrate acts not only as a signaling molecule that affects plant development but also as a nutrient. The development of plant roots, which directly absorb nutrients, is greatly affected by nitrate supply. Alternative gene splicing plays a crucial role in the plant stress response by increasing transcriptome diversity. The effects of nitrate supply on alternative splicing (AS), however, have not been investigated in soybean roots. We used high-quality high-throughput RNA-sequencing data to investigate genome-wide AS events in soybean roots in response to various levels of nitrate supply. In total, we identified 355 nitrate-responsive AS events between optimal and high nitrate levels (NH), 335 nitrate-responsive AS events between optimal and low nitrate levels (NL), and 588 nitrate-responsive AS events between low and high nitrate levels (NLH). RI and A3SS were the most common AS types; in particular, they accounted for 67% of all AS events under all conditions. This increased complex and diversity of AS events regulation might be associated with the soybean response to nitrate. Functional ontology enrichment analysis suggested that the differentially splicing genes were associated with several pathways, including spliceosome, base excision repair, mRNA surveillance pathway and so on. Finally, we validated several AS events using reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction to confirm our RNA-seq results. In summary, we characterized the features and patterns of genome-wide AS in the soybean root exposed to different nitrate levels, and our results revealed that AS is an important mechanism of nitrate-response regulation in the soybean root.
Healthy Aging-Relevant Goals: The Role of Person–Context Co-construction
Authors: Wahl Hans-Werner , Hoppmann Christiane A , Ram Nilam , Gerstorf Denis 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis article considers how individuals’ motivation for healthy aging manifests within the myriad of different contexts that older adults are embedded in as they move through later life.MethodsDrawing on the concept of co-construction, we argue that persons and contexts both contribute to the emergence, maintenance, and disengagement from healthy aging relevant goals in adulthood and old age.ResultsTo promote the understanding of such co-constructive dynamics, we propose four conceptual refinements of previous healthy aging models. First, we outline various different, often multidirectional, ways in which persons and contexts conjointly contribute to how people set, pursue, and disengage from health goals. Second, we promote consideration of context as involving unique, shared, and interactive effects of socio-economic, social, physical, care/service, and technology dimensions. Third, we highlight how the relevance, utility, and nature of these context dimensions and their role in co-constructing health goals change as individuals move through the Third Age, the Fourth Age, and a terminal stages of life. Finally, we suggest that these conceptual refinements be linked to established (motivational) theories of lifespan development and aging.DiscussionsIn closing, we outline a set of research questions that promise to advance our understanding of the mechanisms by which contexts and aging persons co-construct healthy aging relevant goals and elaborate on the applied significance of this approach for common public health practices.
The multiple roles of RAB GTPases in female and male meiosis
Authors: Shan Meng-Meng , Sun Shao-Chen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDRAB GTPases constitute the largest family of small GTPases and are found in all eukaryotes. RAB GTPases regulate components of the endomembrane system, the nucleus and the plasma membrane, and are involved in intracellular actin/tubulin-dependent vesicle movement, membrane fusion and cell growth in mitosis.OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALERAB GTPases play multiple critical roles during both female and male meiosis. This review summarizes the progress made in our understanding of the role of RAB GTPases in female and male meiosis in different species. We also discuss the potential relationship between RAB GTPases and oocyte/sperm quality, which may help in understanding the mechanisms underlying oogenesis and spermatogenesis and potential genetic causes of infertility.SEARCH METHODSThe PubMed database was searched for articles published between 1991 and 2020 using the following terms: ‘RAB’, ‘RAB oocyte’, ‘RAB sperm’ and ‘RAB meiosis’.OUTCOMESAn analysis of 126 relevant articles indicated that RAB GTPases are present in all eukaryotes, and ten subfamilies (almost 70 members) are expressed in human cells. The roles of 25 RAB proteins and orthologues in female meiosis and 12 in male meiosis have been reported. RAB proteins are essential for the accurate continuity of genetic material, successful fertilization and the normal growth of offspring. Distinct and crucial functions of RAB GTPases in meiosis have been reported. In oocytes, RAB GTPases are involved in spindle organization, kinetochore–microtubule attachment, chromosome alignment, actin filament-mediated spindle migration, cytokinesis, cell cycle and oocyte–embryo transition. RAB GTPases function in mitochondrial processes and Golgi-mediated vesicular transport during female meiosis, and are critical for cortical granule transport during fertilization and oocyte–embryo transition. In sperm, RAB GTPases are vital for cytoskeletal organization and successful cytokinesis, and are associated with Golgi-mediated acrosome formation, membrane trafficking and morphological changes of sperm cells, as well as the exocytosis-related acrosome reaction and zona reaction during fertilization.WIDER IMPLICATIONSAbnormal expression of RAB GTPases disrupts intracellular systems, which may induce diverse diseases. The roles of RAB proteins in female and male reproductive systems, thus, need to be considered. The mechanisms underlying the function of RAB GTPases and the binding specificity of their effectors during oogenesis, spermatogenesis and fertilization remain to be studied. This review should contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of oogenesis and spermatogenesis and potential genetic causes of infertility.
Wage Equalization and Regional Misallocation: Evidence from Italian and German Provinces
Authors: Boeri Tito , Ichino Andrea , Moretti Enrico , Posch Johanna 
Published: May 2021

AbstractItaly and Germany have similar geographical differences in firm productivity—with the North more productive than the South in Italy and the West more productive than the East in Germany—but have adopted different models of wage bargaining. Italy sets wages based on nationwide contracts that allow for limited local wage adjustments, while Germany has moved toward a more flexible system that allows for local bargaining. We find that Italy exhibits limited geographical wage differences in nominal terms and almost no relationship between local productivity and local nominal wages, while Germany has larger geographic wage differences and a tighter link between local wages and local productivity. As a consequence, in Italy, low-productivity provinces have higher non-employment rates than high-productivity provinces, because employers cannot lower wages, while in Germany the relationship between non-employment and productivity is significantly weaker. We conclude that the Italian system has significant costs in terms of forgone aggregate earnings and employment because it generates a spatial equilibrium where workers queue for jobs in the South and remain unemployed while waiting. If Italy adopted the German system, aggregate employment and earnings would increase by 11.04% and 7.45%, respectively. Our findings are relevant for other European countries.
Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cellular compartments and their contribution to intracellular calcium signalling
Authors: Pivato Matteo , Ballottari Matteo 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+)-dependent signalling plays a well-characterized role in the response to different environmental stimuli, in both plant and animal cells. In the model organism for green algae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Ca2+ signals were reported to have a crucial role in different physiological processes, such as stress responses, photosynthesis, and flagella functions. Recent reports identified the underlying components of the Ca2+ signalling machinery at the level of specific subcellular compartments and reported in vivo imaging of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration in response to environmental stimuli. The characterization of these Ca2+-related mechanisms and proteins in C. reinhardtii is providing knowledge on how microalgae can perceive and respond to environmental stimuli, but also on how this Ca2+ signalling machinery has evolved. Here, we review current knowledge on the cellular mechanisms underlying the generation, shaping, and decoding of Ca2+ signals in C. reinhardtii, providing an overview of the known and possible molecular players involved in the Ca2+ signalling of its different subcellular compartments. The advanced toolkits recently developed to measure time-resolved Ca2+ signalling in living C. reinhardtii cells are also discussed, suggesting how they can improve the study of the role of Ca2+ signals in the cellular response of microalgae to environmental stimuli.