bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Boat disturbance affects the acoustic behaviour of dolphins engaged in a rare foraging cooperation with fishers
Authors: Pellegrini A. Y. , Romeu B. , Ingram S. N. , Daura‐Jorge F. G. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAcoustic behaviour is a key component of specialized foraging tactics for many aquatic species, especially cetaceans. However, in recent decades the natural environment has been increasingly exposed to a variety of anthropogenic noise sources, with the potential to impact natural foraging specializations dependent on acoustic communication. Here we evaluated whether boat noise has the potential to impact a rare foraging tactic used by individuals from a small population of the vulnerable Lahille’s bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus gephyreus) specialized in cooperation with artisanal fishers in southern Brazil. We tested whether the presence of boats changed the acoustic behaviour of dolphins when engaged in this cooperative foraging. We found that whistles and echolocation click rates were lower when boats were present, suggesting that cooperative foraging may potentially be reduced or interrupted by the presence of boats. Whistle parameters changed in response to the number, type and speed of boats, indicating a behavioural change and acoustic masking. Locally, our results reinforce the need for boat traffic regulations to minimize their impacts on these endangered dolphins and their rare cooperative tactic. From a broad perspective, we demonstrate how nonlethal impacts such as vessel disturbance can manifest subtle changes in animals’ natural behaviour and, in this case, present an insidious threat to a unique foraging specialization.
A continental assessment of diurnality in frog calling behaviour
Authors: Callaghan Corey T. , Rowley Jodi J. L. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAcoustic signalling is evolutionarily important, influencing sexual selection and serving as a premating isolation mechanism. There is a strong evolutionary basis for acoustic signalling to occur nocturnally across many terrestrial vertebrate groups including mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Within some of these groups, there is a general assumption that ‘most taxa are nocturnal’ in their acoustic signalling, and this is a particularly strongly held view for most frogs. Here we challenge this well‐accepted notion by quantifying diurnal calling behaviour in Australian frogs, leveraging a continental‐wide citizen science dataset. Of 196 species present in the citizen science dataset, 140 (71%) were recorded at least once during the day. Of the most commonly observed species (i.e. species with at least 150 calls recorded in the database), there were surprisingly high rates of diurnal calling: 14 species had >25% of their calls recorded during the day. We also found that the relative rate of diurnal calling in frogs showed a strong phylogenetic signal, suggesting that the plasticity in calling behaviour as it relates to time of the day is strongly evolutionarily conserved. Our results highlight a suite of ecological and evolutionary questions that are worthy of further investigation.
Quality of recovery scores in deep serratus anterior plane block vs. sham block in ambulatory breast cancer surgery: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Abdallah F. W. , Patel V. , Madjdpour C. , Cil T. , Brull R. 
Published: January 2021

SummaryDeep serratus anterior plane block has been widely adopted as an analgesic adjunct for patients undergoing breast surgery, but robust supporting evidence of efficacy is lacking. We randomly allocated 40 patients undergoing simple or partial mastectomy with sentinel node biopsy to receive either a pre‐operative deep serratus anterior plane block (serratus group) or a placebo injection (sham group), in addition to systemic analgesia. The primary outcome measure was the quality of recovery score at discharge, as assessed by the quality of recovery‐15 questionnaire at various time‐points. Secondary analgesic outcomes included: pain severity; postoperative opioid consumption; opioid‐related side‐effects; patient satisfaction up to 7 days postoperatively; and persistent postoperative pain up to 3 months after surgery. All patients who were recruited completed the study. There were no differences in the quality of recovery‐15 scores between patients in the serratus and control groups, with mean (SD) scores of 96 (14) and 102 (20) for the control and serratus groups, respectively. We were also unable to detect differences in any of the secondary analgesic outcomes examined. The addition of a deep serratus anterior plane block to systemic analgesia does not enhance quality of recovery in patients undergoing ambulatory breast cancer surgery.
The #Enzian classification: A comprehensive non‐invasive and surgical description system for endometriosis
Authors: Keckstein Jörg , Saridogan Ertan , Ulrich Uwe A. , Sillem Martin , Oppelt Peter , Schweppe Karl W. , Krentel Harald , Janschek Elisabeth , Exacoustos Caterina , Malzoni Mario , Mueller Michael , Roman Horace , Condous George , Forman Axel , Jansen Frank W. , Bokor Attila , Simedrea Voicu , Hudelist Gernot 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAdvances in preoperative diagnostics as well as in surgical techniques for the treatment of endometriosis, especially for deep endometriosis, call for a classification system, that includes all aspects of the disease such as peritoneal endometriosis, ovarian endometriosis, deep endometriosis, and secondary adhesions. The widely accepted revised American Society for Reproductive Medicine classification (rASRM) has certain limitations because of its incomplete description of deep endometriosis. In contrast, the Enzian classification, which has been implemented in the last decade, has proved to be the most suitable tool for staging deep endometriosis, but does not include peritoneal or ovarian disease or adhesions. To overcome these limitations, a comprehensive classification system for complete mapping of endometriosis, including anatomical location, size of the lesions, adhesions and degree of involvement of the adjacent organs, that can be used with both diagnostic and surgical methods, has been created through a consensus process and will be described in detail—the #Enzian classification.
Heart‐rate agreement between ECG and a new, wireless device during early skin‐to‐skin contact
Authors: Lavizzari Anna , Falgari Roberta , Pesenti Nicola , Colnaghi Mariarosa , Colombo Lorenzo , Zanotta Lidia , Sannino Patrizio , Plevani Laura , Mosca Fabio 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAimTo assess the agreement of heart rate (HR) between the new device – a fabric jacket for neonates, with integrated sensors detecting ECG signals and a Bluetooth connection to a computer (ComfTech, HOWDY) – and the clinical reference, ECG, during the skin‐to‐skin contact (SSC) in the first 2 h after birth, for the potential use of early detection of Sudden and Unexpected Postnatal Collapse (SUPC).MethodsWe enrolled newborns ≥35+0 weeks of gestation, with Apgar score >8 at 5 min in a prospective, observational study in the delivery room, excluding infants with need for resuscitation, clinical instability or major malformations. We assessed HR within 20 min after birth by both devices simultaneously: the index test ComfTech HOWDY and the standard ECG (Vita Guard VG 3100, Getemed). We compared HR between the two methods at 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min by the Bland–Altman plot.ResultsWe included 60 infants. The mean difference between the methods was −1.3 bpm, 95%LoA −12.4 to 9.7 bpm. Spearman rank correlation coefficient ρ = −0.06.ConclusionComfTech HOWDY presents reliable agreement with the ECG and might assist in identifying infants at risk for SUPC.
Geographic variation in female body size and clutch size of the lizard Sceloporus variabilis (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae) in Mexico
Authors: Ramírez‐Bautista Aurelio , Cruz‐Elizalde Raciel , Stephenson Barry P. , Hernández‐Salinas Uriel 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe body size and reproductive characteristics in populations of the same species is influenced by environmental and ecological factors. In this study, we analysed the relationship of environmental factors, morphological characters (body size and mass) and reproductive traits (clutch size) of females from 13 populations of Sceloporus variabilis. Results showed variation in snout‒vent length (SVL), body mass and clutch size among populations. An ANCOVA between SVL and clutch size showed an increase of the latter in females from Alvarado and Valle Nacional; ANCOVA between body mass and SVL revealed an increase in body mass in most populations. A canonical correlation analysis showed a positive relationship between SVL, body mass, and clutch size with elevation and precipitation, but not with temperature. Future studies should assess the effect of seasonality and food resource availability on reproductive investment among populations of S. variabilis to determine whether these characteristics are a function of differences in key ecological factors (e.g. availability of resources and seasonality) associated with each population, and determine the causes of geographic variation in morphological and life history characteristics among populations.
Poor mobilization of autologous CD34+ peripheral blood stem cells in haematology patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation is associated with the presence of variants in genes implicated in clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminant potential
Authors: Gifford Grace , Hesson Luke , Wong Jason W. H. , Carroll Adam , Gabrielli Sara , Bai LiJun , Xia Wei , Stevenson William , Greenwood Matthew 
Published: January 2021

SummaryClonal haematopoiesis of indeterminant potential (CHIP) increases in frequency with age. The effect of CHIP on the mobilization of autologous CD34+ peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) has not been reported. This study uses a DNA‐based targeted candidate gene approach to identify the presence of somatic mutations in ASXL1, DNMT3A, JAK2, SF3B1, TET2 and TP53 in CD34+ haematopoietic progenitor cell‐apheresis products of 96 patients who undergo PBSC mobilization for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Variants were identified in a significantly greater proportion of patients who experience poor CD34+ PBSC mobilization. A DNA‐based targeted candidate gene array is able to predict poor CD34+ PBSC mobilization and may be deployed pre‐emptively to minimize mobilization and graft failures.
The use of Intensive Interaction within a Positive Behavioural Support framework
Authors: McKim Jules , Samuel Judith 
Published: January 2021

Accessible summary

Intensive Interaction is an approach that supports the development of essential communication skills, and social and emotional relationships.

Positive Behavioural Support (PBS) is a framework for developing the quality of life for people who use challenging behaviour.

Intensive Interaction may be used in all the phases within a PBS framework. No previous articles on the use of Intensive Interaction within PBS could be found.

The use of Intensive Interaction in PBS is described for three people.

AbstractBackgroundPositive Behavioural Support (PBS) provides an overarching framework for supporting quality‐of‐life improvements for people who use challenging behaviour. Rapport, or the lack of it, is well understood as a setting factor for some challenging behaviours. Intensive Interaction is an approach that, among other possible outcomes, can develop rapport and feelings of safety, security and connection.MethodWithin an NHS Trust, the Intensive Interaction Service works in partnership with the Intensive Support Team. We present case descriptions of people who used challenging behaviour and received Intensive Interaction support. Changes are described using staff and family interview data. The Intensive Interaction techniques that helped develop rapport at each PBS phase are described.ResultsIntensive Interaction was used in all PBS phases. It played a role in preventing placement breakdown for one individual.ConclusionIntensive Interaction should be considered at initial assessment within PBS so that immediate and important improvements can be made to the person's social and communication experience. It is hoped that Intensive Support Services and all PBS practitioners will use it.
Efficient expression of concatenated α1β2δ and α1β3δ GABAA receptors, their pharmacology and stoichiometry
Authors: Liao Vivian Wan Yu , Chebib Mary , Ahring Philip Kiær 
Published: January 2021

Background and PurposeGABAA receptors containing δ‐subunits are notorious for being difficult to study in vitro due to heterogeneity of expressed receptor populations and low GABA‐evoked current amplitudes. Thus, there are some published misconceptions and contradictory conclusions made regarding the pharmacology and stoichiometry of δ‐containing receptors. The aim of this study was to obtain robust homogenous expression of α1βδ receptors for in‐depth investigation.Experimental ApproachNovel δ‐containing pentameric concatenated constructs were designed. The resulting α1β2δ and α1β3δ GABAA receptor concatemers were investigated by two‐electrode voltage‐clamp electrophysiology using Xenopus laevis oocytes.Key ResultsFirst, while homogenous α1βδ GABAA receptor pools could not be obtained by manipulating the ratio of injected cRNAs of free α1, β2/3, and δ subunits, concatenated pentameric α1β2δ and α1β3δ constructs resulted in robust expression levels of concatemers. Second, by using optimised constructs that give unidirectional assembly of concatemers, we found that the δ subunit cannot directly participate in GABA binding and receptor activation. Hence, functional δ‐containing receptors are likely to all have a conventional 2α:2β:1δ stoichiometry arranged as βαβαδ when viewed counterclockwise from the extracellular side. Third, α1β2/3δ receptors were found to express efficiently in X. laevis oocytes but have a low estimated open probability of ~0.5% upon GABA activation. Because of this, these receptors are uniquely susceptible to positive allosteric modulation by, for example, neurosteroids.Conclusion and ImplicationsOur data answer important outstanding questions regarding the pharmacology and stoichiometry of α1δ‐containing GABAA receptors and pave the way for future analysis and drug discovery efforts.
Two intronic cis‐acting variants in both alleles of the POLR3A gene cause progressive spastic ataxia with hypodontia
Authors: Fellner Avi , Lossos Alexander , Kogan Elena , Argov Zohar , Gonzaga‐Jauregui Claudia , Shuldiner Alan R. , Darawshe Malak , Bazak Lily , Lidzbarsky Gabriel , Shomron Noam , Basel‐Salmon Lina , Goldberg Yael 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPOLR3A encodes the largest subunit of the DNA‐dependent RNA polymerase III. Pathogenic variants in this gene are associated with dysregulation of tRNA production and other non‐coding RNAs. POLR3A‐related disorders include variable phenotypes. The genotype–phenotype correlation is still unclear. Phenotypic analysis and exome sequencing were performed in four affected siblings diagnosed clinically with hereditary spastic ataxia, two healthy siblings and their unaffected mother. All four affected siblings (ages 46–55) had similar clinical features of early childhood‐onset hypodontia and adolescent‐onset progressive spastic ataxia. None had progeria, gonadal dysfunction or dysmorphism. All affected individuals had biallelic POLR3A pathogenic variants composed by two cis‐acting intronic splicing‐altering variants, c.1909 + 22G > A and c.3337–11 T > C. The two healthy siblings had wild‐type alleles. The mother and another unaffected sibling were heterozygous for the allele containing both variants. This is the first report addressing the clinical consequence associated with homozygosity for a unique pathogenic intronic allele in the POLR3A gene. This allele was previously reported in compound heterozygous combinations in patients with Wiedemann‐Rautenstrauch syndrome, a severe progeroid POLR3A‐associated phenotype. We show that homozygosity for this allele is associated with spastic ataxia with hypodontia, and not with progeroid features. These findings contribute to the characterization of genotype–phenotype correlation in POLR3A‐related disorders.
Construct validity of the brief physical activity assessment tool for clinical use in COPD
Authors: Cruz Joana , Jácome Cristina , Oliveira Ana , Paixão Cátia , Rebelo Patrícia , Flora Sofia , Januário Filipa , Valente Carla , Andrade Lília , Marques Alda 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIntroductionLow physical activity (PA) levels are associated with poor health‐related outcomes in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Thus, PA should be routinely assessed in clinical practice.ObjectivesThis study assessed the construct validity of the Brief Physical Activity Assessment Tool (BPAAT) for clinical use in COPD and explored differences in age, sex and COPD grades.MethodsAfter linguistic adaptation of the tool to Portuguese, 110 patients (66.4 ± 9.6yrs, 72.7% male, FEV1 = 59.3 ± 25.5%predicted) completed the BPAAT and received an accelerometer. The BPAAT includes two questions assessing the weekly frequency and duration of vigorous‐ and moderate‐intensity PA/walking, classifying individuals as insufficiently or sufficiently active. The BPAAT was correlated with accelerometry (moderate PA, MPA = 1952‐5724 counts‐per‐min [CPM]); vigorous PA, VPA = 5725‐∞CPM; moderate‐to‐vigorous PA, MVPA = 1952‐∞CPM; daily steps), through: Spearman’s correlations (ρ) for continuous data; %agreement, Kappa, sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) for categorical data.ResultsThe BPAAT identified 73.6% patients as “insufficiently active” and 26.4% as “sufficiently active”. The BPAAT was weakly to moderately correlated with accelerometry (0.394 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.435, P < 0.05), except for VPA (P = 0.440). This was also observed in age (<65/≥65yrs), COPD grades (GOLD 1–2/3–4) and in male patients (0.363 ≤ ρ ≤ 0.518, P < 0.05 except for VPA). No significant correlations were found in female patients (P > 0.05). Agreement was fair to moderate (0.36 ≤ κ ≤ 0.43; 73.6% ≤ %agreement ≤ 74.5%; 0.50 ≤ sensitivity ≤ 0.52; 0.84 ≤ specificity ≤ 0.91, 0.55 ≤ PPV ≤ 0.79, 0.72 ≤ NPV ≤ 0.82).ConclusionThe BPAAT may be useful to screen patients’ PA, independently of age and COPD grade, and identify male patients who are insufficiently active. Care should be taken when using this tool to assess vigorous PA or female patients.
Does Security of Land Operational Rights Matter for the Improvement of Agricultural Production Efficiency under the Collective Ownership in China?
Authors: Ji Xianqing , Liu Shouying , Yan Jianan , Li Youyi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUnder the “separation of three rights” policy, the impact of security of land operational rights on agricultural production efficiency has attracted much attention in recent years. Data envelopment analysis and mediation effect analysis were applied to 888 family farms run by new‐type agricultural operators from Songjiang to identify the mechanism of the effect of land operational rights security on agricultural production efficiency through long‐term investment. The results show that greater security of land operational rights generally increased agricultural production efficiency. Approximately 37.94 percent of the impact could be explained by long‐term investment. The results also indicate that significant heterogeneity exists in the effect of land operational rights security on agricultural production efficiency at various levels of the family farms’ efficiency distributions. It is suggested that government should legalize land operational rights and give them a status equal to those of households’ contractual rights and land ownership rights in China's future land tenure reform.
Drug adulteration of sexual enhancement supplements: a worldwide insidious public health threat
Authors: Yéléhé‐Okouma Mélissa , Pape Elise , Humbertjean Lisa , Evrard Marion , El Osta Rabih , Petitpain Nadine , Gillet Pierre , El Balkhi Souleiman , Scala‐Bertola Julien 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWorldwide, the consumption of dietary supplements for the enhancement of sexual performance is common. Consumers are generally fond of these products because they often want to avoid drugs, preferring “natural” than “chemical” solutions. This is challenging, as many of these supplements labelled “herbal” or “natural” are actually adulterated with drugs, mainly phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitors. This phenomenon is facilitated by fewer demanding regulations for marketing supplements. Thus, consumers may be widely exposed to serious adverse events, such as acute liver injury, kidney failure, pulmonary embolism, stroke or even death. We aim to warn physicians about this issue. This multidisciplinary review simultaneously deals with clinical consequences of this phenomenon, analytical toxicology and regulation. Indeed, after outlining this worldwide issue and highlighting that a drug‐adulterated dietary supplement is actually a falsified drug, we discuss its main contributing factors. Then, we describe some examples of adverse events of which a case of sildenafil–tadalafil‐induced ischaemic stroke that benefited medical care in our hospital. Furthermore, we present some means to avoid adulteration and discuss their limitations that may be explained by the heterogeneity of the regulation of dietary supplements between countries. Doing so, we point out the requirement of a global harmonization of this regulation for an efficient eradication of this public health threat. Meanwhile, dietary supplements should be considered adulterated until proven otherwise. Thus, we encourage physicians to investigate these products in the drug histories of their patients, especially when clinical conditions cannot be explained by classical aetiologies.
The role of eutherian‐specific RTL1 in the nervous system and its implications for the Kagami‐Ogata and Temple syndromes
Authors: Kitazawa Moe , Sutani Akito , Kaneko‐Ishino Tomoko , Ishino Fumitoshi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractRTL1 (also termed paternal expressed 11 (PEG11)) is considered the major imprinted gene responsible for the placental and fetal/neonatal muscle defects that occur in the Kagami–Ogata and Temple syndromes (KOS14 and TS14, respectively). However, it remains elusive whether RTL1 is also involved in their neurological symptoms, such as behavioral and developmental delay/intellectual disability, feeding difficulties, motor delay, and delayed speech. Here, we demonstrate that the mouse RTL1 protein is widely expressed in the central nervous system (CNS), including the limbic system. Importantly, two disease model mice with over‐ and under‐expression of Rtl1 exhibited reduced locomotor activity, increased anxiety, and impaired amygdala‐dependent cued fear, demonstrating that Rtl1 also plays an important role in the CNS. These results indicate that the KOS14 and TS14 are neuromuscular as well as neuropsychiatric diseases caused by irregular CNS RTL1 expression, presumably leading to impaired innervation of motor neurons to skeletal muscles as well as malfunction of the hippocampus‐amygdala complex. It is of considerable interest that eutherian‐specific RTL1 is expressed in mammalian‐ and eutherian‐specific brain structures, that is, the corticospinal tract and corpus callosum, respectively, suggesting that RTL1 might have contributed to the acquisition of both these structures themselves and fine motor skill in eutherian brain evolution.