bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Falcon fuel: metabarcoding reveals songbird prey species in the diet of juvenile Merlins (Falco columbarius) migrating along the Pacific Coast of western North America
Authors: Bourbour Ryan P. , Aylward Cody M. , Tyson Chris W. , Martinico Breanna L. , Goodbla Alisha M. , Ely Teresa E. , Fish Allen M. , Hull Angus C. , Hull Joshua M. 
Published: April 2021

During autumn migration, bird‐eating raptors are thought to rely on flocks of migrant songbirds (Passeriformes) as a critical resource to fuel the energetic demands of long‐distance migration. However, this hypothesis has been challenging to investigate, and the foraging ecology during migration of most migrant raptors remains unexplored. To address these knowledge gaps, our objective was to document the diet of a bird‐eating falcon on active migration. We swabbed visible and trace prey residues from the exterior surface of beaks and talons of migrant juvenile Merlins Falco columbarius in the autumn of 2015 and 2016 at a raptor migration monitoring station positioned on the Pacific Coast of western North America. We used a DNA metabarcoding approach and detected the presence of 40 distinct prey species derived from 210 individual prey species detections on 63 of the 72 (87.5%) migrant juvenile Merlins sampled. We detected an average of 3.3 ± 1.6 prey species on individual Merlins. We found that juvenile males selected smaller prey on average compared with juvenile females. Of the prey species detected, over 80% were migratory songbird species within the Pacific Flyway. In 2015, we detected a greater proportion of irruptive migrants in juvenile Merlin diet compared with 2016. In 2016, we found that the proportion of annual migrants consumed by Merlins corresponded to the timing of peak annual songbird migration in the Pacific Flyway. This study represents one of the first detailed descriptions of songbird prey species consumed by a migrating raptor and supports the hypothesis that migrating juvenile Merlins rely on migrant songbirds to support the energetic demands of migration.
PRILE 2021 guidelines for reporting laboratory studies in Endodontology: A consensus‐based development
Authors: Nagendrababu Venkateshbabu , Murray Peter E. , Ordinola‐Zapata Ronald , Peters Ove A. , Rôças Isabela Neves , Siqueira José F. , Priya Ekta , Jayaraman Jayakumar , J Pulikkotil Shaju , Camilleri Josette , Boutsioukis Christos , Rossi‐Fedele Giampiero , Dummer Paul Michael Howell 
Published: May 2021

AbstractReproducible, skilfully conducted and unbiased laboratory studies provide new knowledge, which can inform clinical research and eventually translate into better patient care. To help researchers improve the quality and reproducibility of their research prior to a publication peer‐review, this paper describes the process that was followed during the development of the Preferred Reporting Items for Laboratory studies in Endodontology (PRILE) 2021 guidelines and which used a well‐documented consensus‐based methodology. A steering committee was created with eight individuals (PM, RO, OP, IR, JS, EP, JJ and SP), plus the project leaders (PD, VN). The steering committee prepared an initial checklist by combining and adapting items from the modified Consolidated Statement of Reporting Trials checklist for reporting in vitro studies of dental materials and the Clinical and Laboratory Images in Publications principles as well as adding several new items. The steering committee then formed a PRILE Delphi Group (PDG) and PRILE Online Meeting Group (POMG) to provide expert advice and feedback on the initial draft checklist and flowchart. The members of the PDG participated in an online Delphi process to achieve consensus on the items within the PRILE 2021 checklist and the accompanying flowchart for clarity and suitability. The PRILE checklist and flowchart developed by the online Delphi process were discussed further by the POMG. This online meeting was conducted on 12 February 2021 via the Zoom platform. Following this meeting, the steering committee developed a final version of the PRILE 2021 guidelines and flowchart, which was piloted by several authors when writing up a laboratory study for publication. Authors are encouraged to use the PRILE 2021 guidelines and flowchart to improve the clarity, completeness and quality of reports describing laboratory studies in Endodontology. The PRILE 2021 checklist and flowchart are freely available and downloadable from the Preferred Reporting Items for study Designs in Endodontology website (http://pride‐endodonticguidelines.org/prile/).
Changes in the volatile composition of Spanish‐style green table olives induced by pasteurisation treatment
Authors: Montaño Alfredo , Cortés‐Delgado Amparo , López‐López Antonio , Sánchez Antonio Higinio 
Published: May 2021

SummaryThermal treatment of pasteurisation is the most widely used stabilisation method for packed green table olives. In the present work, the influence of pasteurisation on the composition of volatile compounds in packed Spanish‐style green table olives was studied. To this aim, two thermal processes (P1 = 85 °C for 7 min; P2 = 85 °C for 15 min) were evaluated by comparing the contents of volatile compounds in pasteurised olives with those in unpasteurised olives. Volatiles were analysed, both in olive juice and cover brine, by means of headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) followed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Both pasteurisation treatments caused significant increases in diverse ethyl and methyl esters and in volatile compounds derived from several chemical reactions (lipid oxidation, Maillard reaction, degradation of carotenoids). Significant differences between samples subjected to P1 and P2 were only found for 1‐octen‐3‐ol, pentanal and 6‐methyl‐5‐hepten‐2‐one in olive juice.
Analysis of laboratory blood parameter results for patients diagnosed with COVID‐19, from all ethnic group populations: A single centre study
Authors: Marwah Mandeep , Marwah Sukhjinder , Blann Andrew , Morrissey Hana , Ball Patrick , Wandroo Farooq A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionAlthough factors such as age, sex, diabetes, obesity and changes in certain laboratory investigations are important prognostic factors in COVID‐19 infection, these may not apply to all ethnic/racial groups. We hypothesized differences in routine biochemistry and haematology indices in Caucasian and a combined group of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) patients who tested positive for COVID‐19 who died, compared to survivors.MethodsWe tested our hypothesis in 445 patients (229 Caucasian, 216 BAME) admitted to secondary care with proven COVID‐19 infection, in whom standard routine laboratory indices were collected on admission.ResultsAfter 28 weeks, 190 (42.7%) had died within 28 days of COVID diagnosis (97 Caucasians [42.4%], 93 BAMEs [43.1%], P = .923). A general linear model analysis found the ethnicity interaction with mortality to be significant for fibrinogen, ferritin and HbA1c (after controlling for age). In a multivariate analysis, a neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio > 7.4 and a urea/albumin ratio > 0.28 increased the odds of death for both the Caucasian and the BAME group. Additional factors increasing the odds ratio in the BAME group included age >60 years and being diabetic.ConclusionNeutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and urea/albumin ratio are simple metrics that predict death to aid clinicians in determining the prognosis of COVID‐19 and help provide early intensive intervention to reduce mortality. In the BAME groups, intensive monitoring even at younger age and those with diabetes may also help reduce COVID‐19 associated mortality.
Two atypical gram‐negative bacteria‐binding proteins are involved in the antibacterial response in the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum)
Authors: Ji J. , Zhou L. , Xu Z. , Ma L. , Lu Z. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe activation of immune pathways is triggered by the recognition of pathogens by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Gram‐negative bacteria‐binding proteins (GNBPs)/β‐1,3‐glucan recognition proteins (βGRPs) are a conserved family of PRRs in insects. Two GNBPs are predicted in the genome database of pea aphids; however, little is known about their functions in the aphid immune system. Here, we show that pea aphid GNBPs possess domain architectures and sequence features distinct from those of typical GNBPs/βGRPs and that their expression is induced by bacterial infection. Knockdown of their expression by dsRNA resulted in lower phenoloxidase activity, higher bacterial loads and higher mortality in aphids after infection. Our data suggest that these two atypical GNBPs are involved in the antibacterial response in the pea aphid, likely acting as PRRs in the prophenoloxidase pathway.
Reserve accumulation, inflation, and moral hazard: Evidence from a natural experiment
Authors: Chițu Livia 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study tests whether international reserve accumulation is inflationary because of moral hazard and incentive effects. We use the 2009 allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) as a natural experiment to trace the effect of an exogenous nonmonetary shock on International Monetary Fund members' reserve holdings. In countries that received large SDR allocations, inflation was about half a percentage point higher in the 2 years following the allocation, controlling for other standard determinants. This effect is commensurate with the size of these countries' discretionary fiscal deficits. This result is consistent with the hypothesis that reserve accumulation may be inflationary because of incentive effects.
Behavior of AV synchrony pacing mode in a leadless pacemaker during variable AV conduction and arrhythmias
Authors: Garweg Christophe , Khelae Surinder Kaur , Chan Joseph Yat Sun , Chinitz Larry , Ritter Philippe , Johansen Jens Brock , Sagi Venkata , Epstein Laurence M. , Piccini Jonathan P. , Pascual Mario , Mont Lluis , Willems Rik , Splett Vincent , Stromberg Kurt , Sheldon Todd , Kristiansen Nina , Steinwender Clemens 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionMARVEL 2 assessed the efficacy of mechanical atrial sensing by a ventricular leadless pacemaker, enabling a VDD pacing mode. The behavior of the enhanced MARVEL 2 algorithm during variable atrio‐ventricular conduction (AVC) and/or arrhythmias has not been characterized and is the focus of this study.MethodsOf the 75 patients enrolled in the MARVEL 2 study, 73 had a rhythm assessment and were included in the analysis. The enhanced MARVEL 2 algorithm included a mode‐switching algorithm that automatically switches between VDD and ventricular only antibradycardia pacing (VVI)‐40 depending upon AVC status.ResultsForty‐two patients (58%) had persistent third degree AV block (AVB), 18 (25%) had 1:1 AVC, 5 (7%) had variable AVC status, and 8 (11%) had atrial arrhythmias. Among the 42 patients with persistent third degree AVB, the median ventricular pacing (VP) percentage was 99.9% compared to 0.2% among those with 1:1 AVC. As AVC status changed, the algorithm switched to VDD when the ventricular rate dropped less than 40 bpm. During atrial fibrillation (AF) with ventricular response greater than 40 bpm, VVI‐40 mode was maintained. No pauses longer than 1500 ms were observed. Frequent ventricular premature beats reduced the percentage of AV synchrony. During AF, the atrial signal was of low amplitude and there was infrequent sensing.ConclusionThe mode switching algorithm reduced VP in patients with 1:1 AVC and appropriately switched to VDD during AV block. No pacing safety issues were observed during arrhythmias.
RF electrode–tissue coverage significantly influences steam pop incidence and lesion size
Authors: Bourier Felix , Popa Miruna , Kottmaier Marc , Maurer Susanne , Bahlke Fabian , Telishevska Marta , Lengauer Sarah , Koch‐Büttner Katharina , Kornmayer Marielouise , Risse Elena , Brkic Amir , Reents Tilko , Hessling Gabriele , Deisenhofer Isabel 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundSteam pops are a rare complication associated with radiofrequency (RF) ablation and are hard to predict. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of coverage between the RF ablation electrode and cardiac tissue on steam pop incidence and lesion size.Methods and resultsAn ex vivo model using porcine cardiac preparations and contact force sensing catheters was designed to perform RF ablations at different coverage levels between the RF electrode and cardiac tissue. During coverage level I, only the distal part of the ablation electrode was in contact with tissue. During coverage level II half of the ablation electrode, and during coverage level III the entire ablation electrode was embedded in tissue. RF applications (n = 60) at different coverage levels I–III were systematically performed using the same standardized ablation protocol. Ablations during coverage level III resulted in a significantly higher rate of steam pops (100%) when compared to ablations during coverage level II (10%) and coverage level I (0%), log rank p < .001. Coverage level I ablations resulted in significantly smaller lesion depths, diameters, and impedance drops when compared to higher coverage level ablations, p < .001. In the controlled ex vivo model, there was no difference in applied contact force or energy between different coverage levels.ConclusionsThe level of coverage between RF electrode, cardiac tissue, and the surrounding fluid significantly influenced the incidence of steam pops in an ex vivo setup. Larger coverage between RF electrode and tissue resulted in significantly larger lesion dimensions.
Progressive increase in activation delay during premature stimulation is related to ventricular fibrillation in Brugada syndrome
Authors: Hasegawa Yuki , Izumi Daisuke , Ikami Yasuhiro , Otsuki Sou , Yagihara Nobue , Iijima Kenichi , Chinushi Masaomi , Minamino Tohru 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntroductionThe local conduction delay has been deemed to play an important role in the perpetuation of ventricular fibrillation (VF) in Brugada syndrome (BrS). We evaluated the relationship between the activation delay during programmed stimulation and cardiac events in BrS patients.MethodsThis study included 47 consecutive BrS patients who underwent an electrophysiological study and received implantable cardiac defibrillator therapy. We divided the patients into two groups based on whether they had developed VF (11 patients) or not (36 patients) during the follow‐up period of 89 ± 53 months. The activation delay was assessed using the interval between the stimulus and the QRS onset during programmed stimulation. The mean increase in delay (MID) was used to characterize the conduction curves.ResultsThe MID at the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) was significantly greater in patients with VF (4.5 ± 1.2 ms) than in those without VF (2.2 ± 0.9 ms) (p < .001). A receiver operating characteristics curve analysis indicated that the optimal cut‐off point for discriminating VF occurrence was 3.3 with 88.9% sensitivity and 91.3% specificity. Furthermore, patients with an MID at the RVOT ≥ 3.3 ms showed significantly higher rates of VF recurrence than those with an MID at the RVOT < 3.3 ms (p < .001). The clinical characteristics, including the signal‐averaged electrocardiogram measurement and VF inducibility were similar between the two groups.ConclusionA prolonged MID at the RVOT was associated with VF and maybe an additional electrophysiological risk factor for VF in BrS patients.
LncRNA lnc‐ISG20 promotes renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy by inducing AKT phosphorylation through miR‐486‐5p/NFAT5
Authors: Duan Yu‐Rui , Chen Bao‐Ping , Chen Fang , Yang Su‐Xia , Zhu Chao‐Yang , Ma Ya‐Li , Li Yang , Shi Jun 
Published: May 2021

AbstractLong non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) lnc‐ISG20 has been found aberrantly up‐regulated in the glomerular in the patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). We aimed to elucidate the function and regulatory mechanism of lncRNA lnc‐ISG20 on DN‐induced renal fibrosis. Expression patterns of lnc‐ISG20 in kidney tissues of DN patients were determined by RT‐qPCR. Mouse models of DN were constructed, while MCs were cultured under normal glucose (NG)/high glucose (HG) conditions. The expression patterns of fibrosis marker proteins collagen IV, fibronectin and TGF‐β1 were measured with Western blot assay. In addition, the relationship among lnc‐ISG20, miR‐486‐5p, NFAT5 and AKT were analysed using dual‐luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation. The effect of lnc‐ISG20 and miR‐486/NFAT5/p‐AKT axis on DN‐associated renal fibrosis was also verified by means of rescue experiments. The expression levels of lnc‐ISG20 were increased in DN patients, DN mouse kidney tissues and HG‐treated MCs. Lnc‐ISG20 silencing alleviated HG‐induced fibrosis in MCs and delayed renal fibrosis in DN mice. Mechanistically, miR‐486‐5p was found to be a downstream miRNA of lnc‐ISG20, while miR‐486‐5p inhibited the expression of NFAT5 by binding to its 3'UTR. NFAT5 overexpression aggravated HG‐induced fibrosis by stimulating AKT phosphorylation. However, NFAT5 silencing reversed the promotion of in vitro and in vivo fibrosis caused by lnc‐ISG20 overexpression. Our collective findings indicate that lnc‐ISG20 promotes the renal fibrosis process in DN by activating AKT through the miR‐486‐5p/NFAT5 axis. High‐expression levels of lnc‐ISG20 may be a useful indicator for DN.
Effects of Wnt5a overexpression in spinal cord injury
Authors: González Pau , González‐Fernández Carlos , Javier Rodríguez Francisco 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAccordingly to its known function in corticospinal tract (CST) developmental growth, previous reports have shown an inhibitory role of Wnt5a in CST regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). Interestingly, it has been subsequently demonstrated that Wnt5a also modulates the developmental growth of non‐CST axons and that different Wnt5a receptors are expressed in neurons, oligodendrocytes, NG2+ glial precursors and reactive microglia/macrophages and astrocytes after SCI. However, the role of Wnt5a in the response of these cell types, in the regeneration of non‐CST axons and in functional recovery after SCI is currently unknown. To evaluate this, rats were subjected to spinal cord contusion and injected with a lentiviral vector generated to overexpress Wnt5a. Histological analyses were performed in spinal cord sections processed for the visualization of myelin, oligodendrocytes, neurons, microglia/macrophages, astrocytes, NG2+ glial precursors and serotonergic axons. Motor and bladder function recovery were also assessed. Further advancing our knowledge on the role of Wnt5a in SCI, we found that, besides its previously reported functions, Wnt5a overexpression elicits a reduction on neuronal cell density, the accumulation of NG2+ glial precursors and the descending serotonergic innervation in the affected areas, along with impairment of motor and bladder function recovery after SCI.
Baicalein alleviates osteoarthritis by protecting subchondral bone, inhibiting angiogenesis and synovial proliferation
Authors: Li Bin , Chen Kaizhe , Qian Niandong , Huang Ping , Hu Fangqiong , Ding Tao , Xu Xing , Zhou Qi , Chen Bo , Deng Lianfu , Ye Tianwen , Guo Lei 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most frequent chronic joint diseases with the increasing life expectancy. The main characteristics of the disease are loss of articular cartilage, subchondral bone sclerosis and synovium inflammation. Physical measures, drug therapy and surgery are the mainstay of treatments for OA, whereas drug therapies are mainly limited to analgesics, glucocorticoids, hyaluronic acids and some alternative therapies because of single therapeutic target of OA joints. Baicalein, a traditional Chinese medicine extracted from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been widely used in anti‐inflammatory therapies. Previous studies revealed that baicalein could alleviate cartilage degeneration effectively by acting on articular chondrocytes. However, the mechanisms involved in baicalein‐mediated protection of the OA are not completely understood in consideration of integrality of arthrosis. In this study, we found that intra‐articular injection of baicalein ameliorated subchondral bone remodelling. Further studies showed that baicalein could decrease the number of differentiated osteoblasts by inhibiting pre‐osteoblasts proliferation and promoting pre‐osteoblasts apoptosis. In addition, baicalein impaired angiogenesis of endothelial cells and inhibited proliferation of synovial cells. Taken together, these results implicated that baicalein might be an effective medicine for treating OA by regulating multiple targets.
Systemic antibiotic therapy as an adjunct to non‐surgical peri‐implantitis treatment: A single‐blind RCT
Authors: De Waal Yvonne C. M. , Vangsted Tine E. , Van Winkelhoff Arie Jan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAimThe aim of this single‐blind RCT was to evaluate the adjunctive clinical and microbiological effect of systemic amoxicillin (AMX) plus metronidazole (MTZ) to non‐surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis.Material and methodsPatients (N = 62) with peri‐implantitis were randomly assigned to receive full‐mouth mechanical debridement and decontamination and use of chlorhexidine (control group) or combined with antibiotic therapy of AMX/MTZ (test group). Primary outcome was change in bleeding score from baseline (T0) to 3‐month follow‐up (T3). Secondary parameters were plaque, suppuration, PPD, CAL, bone level, microbiology, adverse events and need for additional surgery. Data were analysed with linear multiple regression analysis.Results57 patients with 122 implants completed 3‐month follow‐up. Both groups showed major clinical improvements atT3in both peri‐implant and periodontal parameters. However, no significant differences were observed between both groups for any of the primary or secondary parameters.ConclusionsSystemic antibiotic therapy of AMX/MTZ does not improve clinical and microbiological outcomes of non‐surgical peri‐implantitis treatment and should not be routinely recommended. Although complete disease resolution may be difficult to achieve, meticulously performed full‐mouth non‐surgical treatment, achieving a high level of daily oral hygiene and healthy periodontal tissues, can significantly improve the starting position of the subsequent (surgical) peri‐implantitis treatment phase.