bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temperature and mass scaling affect cutaneous and pulmonary respiratory performance in a diving frog
Authors: MCWHINNIE Ryan B. , SCKRABULIS Jason P. , RAFFEL Thomas R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractGlobal climate change is altering patterns of temperature variation, with unpredictable consequences for species and ecosystems. The Metabolic Theory of Ecology (MTE) provides a powerful framework for predicting climate change impacts on ectotherm metabolic performance. MTE postulates that physiological and ecological processes are limited by organism metabolic rates, which scale predictably with body mass and temperature. The purpose of this study was to determine if different metabolic proxies generate different empirical estimates of key MTE model parameters for the aquatic frog Xenopus laevis when allowed to exhibit normal diving behavior. We used a novel methodological approach in combining a flow‐through respirometry setup with the open‐source Arduino platform to measure mass and temperature effects on 4 different proxies for whole‐body metabolism (total O2 consumption, cutaneous O2 consumption, pulmonary O2 consumption, and ventilation frequency), following thermal acclimation to one of 3 temperatures (8°C, 17°C, or 26°C). Different metabolic proxies generated different mass‐scaling exponents (b) and activation energy (EA) estimates, highlighting the importance of metabolic proxy selection when parameterizing MTE‐derived models. Animals acclimated to 17°C had higher O2 consumption across all temperatures, but thermal acclimation did not influence estimates of key MTE parameters EA and b. Cutaneous respiration generated lower MTE parameters than pulmonary respiration, consistent with temperature and mass constraints on dissolved oxygen availability, SA:V ratios, and diffusion distances across skin. Our results show that the choice of metabolic proxy can have a big impact on empirical estimates for key MTE model parameters.
Bats and their vital ecosystem services: a global review
Authors: RAMÍREZ‐FRÁNCEL Leidy Azucena , GARCÍA‐HERRERA Leidy Viviana , LOSADA‐PRADO Sergio , REINOSO‐FLÓREZ Gladys , SÁNCHEZ‐HERNÁNDEZ Alfonso , ESTRADA‐VILLEGAS Sergio , LIM Burton K. , GUEVARA Giovany 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBats play crucial ecosystem services as seed dispersers, pollinators, controllers of insects, and nutrient recyclers. However, there has not been a thorough global review evaluating these roles in bats across all biogeographical regions of the world. We reviewed the literature published during the last two decades and identified 283 relevant studies: 78 dealt with the control of potential insect pests by bats, 80 related to the suppression of other arthropods, 60 on the dispersal of native or endemic seeds, 11 dealt with the dispersal of seeds of introduced plants, 29 on the pollination of native or endemic plants, 1 study on pollination of introduced plants, and 24 on the use of guano as fertilizer. Our literature search showed that queries combining the terms “seed dispersal,” “insectivorous bats,” “nectarivorous bats,” “use of guano,” and “ecosystem services” returned 577 studies, but half were experimental in nature. We found that the evaluation of ecosystem services by bats has been mostly conducted in the Neotropical and Palearctic regions. To detect differences across relevant studies, and to explain trends in the study of ecosystem services provided by bats, we performed generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) fitted with a Poisson distribution to analyze potential differences among sampling methods. We identified 409 bat species that provide ecosystem services, 752 insect species consumed by bats and 549 plant species either dispersed or pollinated by bats. Our review summarizes the importance of conserving bat populations and the ecological services they provide, which is especially important during the current pandemic.
Chromosome‐level genome assembly of the endangered humphead wrasse Cheilinus undulatus: Insight into the expansion of opsin genes in fishes
Authors: Liu Dong , Wang Xinyang , Guo Hongyi , Zhang Xuguang , Zhang Ming , Tang Wenqiao 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWrasses are dominant components of major coral reef systems. Among wrasses, Cheilinus undulatus is an endangered species with high economic and ecological value that exhibits sex reversal of females to males, while sexual selection occurs in breeding aggregations. However, the molecular‐associated mechanism underlying this remains unclear. Opsin gene diversification is regarded as a potent force in sexual selection. Here we present a genome assembly of C. undulatus, using Illumina, Nanopore and Hi‐C sequencing. The 1.17 Gb genome was generated from 328 contigs with an N50 length of 16.5 Mb and anchored to 24 chromosomes. In total, 22,218 genes were functionally annotated, and 96.36% of BUSCO genes were fully represented. Transcriptomic analyses showed that 96.79% of the predicted genes were expressed. Transposons were most abundant, accounting for 39.88% of the genome, with low divergence, owing to their evolution with close species ~60.53 million years ago. In total, 567/1,826 gene families were expanded and contracted in the reconstructed phylogeny, respectively. Forty‐six genes were under positive selection. Comparative genomic analyses with other fish revealed expansion of opsin SWS2B, LWS1 and Rh2. The elevated duplicates of SWS2B were generated by gene conversions via transposition of transposons followed by nonallelic homologous recombination. Amino acid substitutions of opsin paralogues occurred at key tuning sites, causing a spectral shift in maximal absorbance of visual pigment to capture functional changes. Among these opsin genes, SWS2B‐3 and 4 and Rh1 are expressed in the retina. The genome sequence of C. undulatus provides valuable resources for future investigation of the conservation, evolution and behaviour of fishes.
Systematic review with meta‐analysis: volatile organic compound analysis to improve faecal immunochemical testing in the detection of colorectal cancer
Authors: Chandrapalan Subashini , Bosch Sofie , Cubiella Joaquín , Guardiola Jordi , Kimani Peter , Mulder Chris , Persaud Krishna , de Meij Tim G. J. , Altomare Donato F. , Brenner Herman , de Boer Nanne K. H. , Ricciardiello Luigi , Arasaradnam Ramesh P. 
Published: May 2021

SummaryBackgroundFaecal immunochemical test (FIT) is emerging as a valid test to rule‐out the presence of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the accuracy of FIT is dependent on the cut‐off applied. An additional low‐cost test could improve further detection of CRC.AimsTo evaluate the efficacy of combined FIT and volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the detection of CRC within symptomatic populations.MethodsSystematic reviews on the diagnostic accuracy of FIT and VOC, for the detection of CRC, were updated. Meta‐analyses were performed adopting a bivariate model for sensitivity and specificity. Clinical utility of combined FIT and VOC was estimated using Fagan's nomogram. Post‐test probability of FIT negatives was used as a pre‐test probability for VOC.ResultsThe pooled sensitivity and specificity of FIT at 10 µg/g faeces, for the detection of CRC, were 0.914 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.894‐0.936) and 0.783 (CI = 0.850‐0.696), respectively. For VOC, the sensitivity was 0.837 (CI = 0.781‐0.881) and the specificity was 0.803 (CI = 0.870‐0.712). The area under the curve for FIT and VOC were 0.926 and 0.885, respectively. In a population with 5% CRC prevalence, the estimated probability of having CRC following a negative FIT was 0.5% and following both negative FIT and VOC was 0.1%.ConclusionsIn a FIT‐negative symptomatic population, VOC can be a good test to rule‐out the presence of CRC. The estimated probability reduction by 0.4% when both tests being negative offers adequate safety netting in primary care for the exclusion of CRC. The number needed to colonoscope to identify one CRC is eight if either FIT or VOC positive. Cost‐effectiveness and clinical accuracy of this approach will need further evaluation.
Familial aggregation of early‐onset haematological malignancies
Authors: Rönkkö Rosa , Hirvonen Elli , Malila Nea , Kilpivaara Outi , Wartiovaara‐Kautto Ulla , Pitkäniemi Janne 
Published: May 2021

SummaryPopulation‐based studies on familial aggregation of haematological malignancies (HM) have rarely focused specifically on early‐onset HMs. We estimated standardized incidence ratios (SIR) and cumulative risks of relatives with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), non‐Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia/lymphoma (ALL/LBL) and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) when index persons and relatives were diagnosed with early‐onset HM. A total of 8791 patients aged ≤40 years and diagnosed with primary HM in Finland from 1970 to 2012 were identified from the Finnish Cancer Registry and their 75 774 family members were retrieved from the population registry. SIRs for concordant HMs were elevated among first‐degree relatives in all of the most common HMs of children and adolescents and young adults (AYA). The risk was highest among siblings with HL (SIR 9·09, 95% confidence interval 5·55–14·04) and AML (8·29, 1·00–29·96). HL also had the highest cumulative risk for siblings at ≤40 years of age (0·92% vs. 0·11% in the population). In conclusion, significantly elevated SIRs indicate a role of shared aetiological factors in some families, which should be noted in the clinical setting when caring for patients with early‐onset HMs.
Using DNA metabarcoding to detect burrowing seabirds in a remote landscape
Authors: McInnes Julie C. , Bird Jeremy P. , Deagle Bruce E. , Polanowski Andrea M. , Shaw Justine D. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSpecies inventories and biodiversity assessments are critical to conservation. Yet cryptic species or recolonizing species can be challenging to detect. DNA metabarcoding provides an alternative tool to identify species that can be difficult to observe during field surveys. We test the efficacy of DNA analysis to identify burrowing petrel species in a rapidly changing landscape, on a remote sub‐Antarctic island following pest eradication. Discarded feathers and scats provided high quality DNA for species identification, assisting in detection of new species arrivals and new breeding sites across Macquarie Island. We highlight how DNA metabarcoding informs species inventories and is a valuable tool to complement seabird field surveys.
Prehospital troponin as a predictor of early clinical deterioration
Authors: Martín‐Rodríguez Francisco , Sanz‐García Ancor , Castro‐Portillo Enrique , Delgado‐Benito Juan F. , del Pozo Vegas Carlos , Ortega Rabbione Guillermo , Martín‐Herrero Francisco , Martín‐Conty José Luis , López‐Izquierdo Raúl 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesElevated troponin T (cTnT) values are associated with comorbidities and early mortality, in both cardiovascular and noncardiovascular diseases. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prognostic accuracy of the sole utilization of prehospital point‐of‐care cardiac troponin T to identify the risk of early in‐hospital deterioration, including mortality within 28 days.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, multicentric, controlled, ambulance‐based, observational study in adults with acute diseases transferred with high priority by ambulance to emergency departments, between 1 January and 30 September 2020. Patients with hospital diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome were excluded. The discriminative power of the predictive cTnT was assessed through a discrimination model trained using a derivation cohort and evaluated by the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic on a validation cohort.ResultsA total of 848 patients were included in our study. The median age was 68 years (25th‐75th percentiles: 50‐81 years), and 385 (45.4%) were women. The mortality rate within 28 days was 12.4% (156 cases). The predictive ability of cTnT to predict mortality presented an area under the curve of 0.903 (95% CI: 0.85‐0.954; P < .001). Risk stratification was performed, resulting in three categories with the following optimal cTnT cut‐off points: high risk greater than or equal to 100, intermediate risk 40‐100 and low risk less than 40 ng/L. In the high‐risk group, the mortality rate was 61.7%, and on the contrary, the low‐risk group presented a mortality of 2.3%.ConclusionsThe implementation of a routine determination of cTnT on the ambulance in patients transferred with high priority to the emergency department can help to stratify the risk of these patients and to detect unknown early clinical deterioration.
Native fish losses due to water extraction in Australian rivers: Evidence, impacts and a solution in modern fish‐ and farm‐friendly screens
Authors: Boys Craig A. , Rayner Thomas S. , Baumgartner Lee J. , Doyle Katherine E. 
Published: May 2021

SummaryThe diversion of water from rivers removes millions of fish from Australian waterways each year. Modern diversion screens are available that can reduce fish losses by 90% and stop debris entering irrigation systems. Uptake of this technology in the United States has protected fish and infrastructure. However, application in Australia has been poor and both the problem and its solution continue to be overlooked. To address this, we summarise multiple lines of evidence of fish losses in Australia and propose a way forward. Large losses of fish at diversions have been reported for close to a century, providing compelling evidence of population‐scale impacts on native fish. We discuss the solution, outlining the progress being made to bring modern screening technology to Australia, including a social learning framework to improve how water is diverted and focussing on collaboration between the fisheries, agriculture and engineering sectors, and underpinned by science. We conclude that uptake of modern screens will rely on dialogue moving past whether a problem or solution exists, to the following: how screening can be better integrated with water and environmental management; where investment should be prioritised; and how screening could be funded. If Australia gets this right, substantial benefits can be realised, saving millions of native fish every year, bolstering native fish recovery programmes, reducing ongoing costs for water users and enhancing the economic and social value in regional areas by boosting manufacturing, service industries, tourism and recreational fisheries.
Shared genetic basis between genetic generalized epilepsy and background electroencephalographic oscillations
Authors: Stevelink Remi , Luykx Jurjen J. , Lin Bochao D. , Leu Costin , Lal Dennis , Smith Alexander W. , Schijven Dick , Carpay Johannes A. , Rademaker Koen , Rodrigues Baldez Roiza A. , Devinsky Orrin , Braun Kees P. J. , Jansen Floor E. , Smit Dirk J. A. , Koeleman Bobby P. C. ,   International League Against Epilepsy Consortium on Complex Epilepsies,   Epi25 Collaborative
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveParoxysmal epileptiform abnormalities on electroencephalography (EEG) are the hallmark of epilepsies, but it is uncertain to what extent epilepsy and background EEG oscillations share neurobiological underpinnings. Here, we aimed to assess the genetic correlation between epilepsy and background EEG oscillations.MethodsConfounding factors, including the heterogeneous etiology of epilepsies and medication effects, hamper studies on background brain activity in people with epilepsy. To overcome this limitation, we compared genetic data from a genome‐wide association study (GWAS) on epilepsy (n = 12 803 people with epilepsy and 24 218 controls) with that from a GWAS on background EEG (n = 8425 subjects without epilepsy), in which background EEG oscillation power was quantified in four different frequency bands: alpha, beta, delta, and theta. We replicated our findings in an independent epilepsy replication dataset (n = 4851 people with epilepsy and 20 428 controls). To assess the genetic overlap between these phenotypes, we performed genetic correlation analyses using linkage disequilibrium score regression, polygenic risk scores, and Mendelian randomization analyses.ResultsOur analyses show strong genetic correlations of genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) with background EEG oscillations, primarily in the beta frequency band. Furthermore, we show that subjects with higher beta and theta polygenic risk scores have a significantly higher risk of having generalized epilepsy. Mendelian randomization analyses suggest a causal effect of GGE genetic liability on beta oscillations.SignificanceOur results point to shared biological mechanisms underlying background EEG oscillations and the susceptibility for GGE, opening avenues to investigate the clinical utility of background EEG oscillations in the diagnostic workup of epilepsy.
Development of an antiseizure drug screening platform for Dravet syndrome at the NINDS contract site for the Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program
Authors: Pernici Chelsea D. , Mensah Jeffrey A. , Dahle E. Jill , Johnson Kristina J. , Handy Laura , Buxton Lauren , Smith Misty D. , West Peter J. , Metcalf Cameron S. , Wilcox Karen S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveDravet syndrome (DS) is a rare but catastrophic genetic epilepsy, with 80% of patients carrying a mutation in the SCN1A gene. Currently, no antiseizure drug (ASD) exists that adequately controls seizures. In the clinic, individuals with DS often present first with a febrile seizure and, subsequently, generalized tonic‐clonic seizures that can continue throughout life. To facilitate the development of ASDs for DS, the contract site of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program (ETSP) has evaluated a mouse model of DS using the conditional knock‐in Scn1aA1783V/WT mouse.MethodsSurvival rates and temperature thresholds for Scn1aA1783V/WT were determined. Prototype ASDs were administered via intraperitoneal injections at the time‐to‐peak effect, which was previously determined, prior to the induction of hyperthermia‐induced seizures. ASDs were considered effective if they significantly increased the temperature at which Scn1aA1783V/WT mice had seizures.ResultsApproximately 50% of Scn1aA1783V/WT survive to adulthood and all have hyperthermia‐induced seizures. The results suggest that hyperthermia‐induced seizures in this model of DS are highly refractory to a battery of ASDs. Exceptions were clobazam, tiagabine, levetiracetam, and the combination of clobazam and valproic acid with add‐on stiripentol, which elevated seizure thresholds.SignificanceOverall, the data demonstrate that the proposed model for DS is suitable for screening novel compounds for the ability to block hyperthermia‐induced seizures and that heterozygous mice can be evaluated repeatedly over the course of several weeks, allowing for higher throughput screening.
Effects of early life seizures on coordination of hippocampal–prefrontal networks: Influence of sex and dynamic brain states
Authors: Niedecker Rhys W. , Kloc Michelle L. , Holmes Gregory L. , Barry Jeremy M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractObjectiveEarly life seizures (ELSs) alter activity‐dependent maturation of neuronal circuits underlying learning and memory. The pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning seizure‐induced cognitive impairment are not fully understood, and critical variables such as sex and dynamic brain states with regard to cognitive outcomes have not been explored. We hypothesized that in comparison to control (CTL) rats, ELS rats would exhibit deficits in spatial cognition correlating with impaired dynamic neural signal coordination between the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).MethodsMale and female rat pups were given 50 flurothyl‐induced seizures over 10 days starting at postnatal Day 15. As adults, spatial cognition was tested through active avoidance on a rotating arena. Microwire tetrodes were implanted in the mPFC and CA1 subfield. Single cells and local field potentials were recorded and analyzed in each region during active avoidance and sleep.ResultsELS males exhibited avoidance impairments, whereas female rats were unaffected. During avoidance, hippocampus–mPFC coherence was higher in CTL females than CTL males across bandwidths. In comparison to CTL males, ELS male learners exhibit increased coherence within theta bandwidth as well as altered burst‐timing in mPFC cell activity. Hippocampus–mPFC coherence levels are predictive of cognitive outcome in the active avoidance spatial task.SignificanceSpatial cognitive outcome post‐ELS is sex‐dependent, as females fare better than males. ELS males that learn the task exhibit increased mPFC coherence levels at low‐theta frequency, which may compensate for ELS effects on mPFC cell timing. These results suggest that coherence may serve as a biomarker for spatial cognitive outcome post‐ELS and emphasize the significance of analyzing sex and dynamic cognition as variables in understanding seizure effects on the developing brain.
Insights into adult atopic dermatitis heterogeneity derived from circulating biomarker profiling in patients with moderate‐to‐severe disease
Authors: Sims Jonathan T. , Chang Ching‐Yun , Higgs Richard E. , Engle Sarah M. , Liu Yushi , Sissons Sean E. , Rodgers George H. , Simpson Eric L. , Silverberg Jonathan I. , Forman Seth B. , Janes Jonathan M. , Colvin Stephanie C. , Guttman‐Yassky Emma 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a heterogeneous systemic inflammatory skin disease associated with dysregulated immune responses, barrier dysfunction and activated sensory nerves. To characterize circulating inflammatory profiles and underlying systemic disease heterogeneity within AD patients, blood samples from adult patients (N = 123) with moderate‐to‐severe AD in a phase 2 study of baricitinib (JAHG) were analysed. Baseline levels of 131 markers were evaluated using high‐throughput and ultrasensitive proteomic platforms, patient clusters were generated based on these peripheral markers. We implemented a novel cluster reproducibility method to validate cluster outcomes within our study and used publicly available AD biomarker data set (73 markers,N = 58 patients) to validate our findings. Cluster reproducibility analysis demonstrated best consistency for 2 clusters byk‐means, reproducibility of this clustering outcome was validated in an independent patient cohort. These unique JAHG patient subgroups either possessed elevated pro‐inflammatory mediators, notably TNFβ, MCP‐3 and IL‐13, among a variety of immune responses (high inflammatory) or lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers (low inflammatory). The high inflammatory subgroup was associated with greater baseline disease severity, demonstrated by greater EASI, SCORAD Index, Itch NRS and DLQI scores, compared with low inflammatory subgroup. African‐American patients were predominantly associated with the high inflammatory subgroup and increased baseline disease severity. In patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD, heterogeneity was identified by the detection of 2 disease subgroups, differential clustering amongst ethnic groups and elevated pro‐inflammatory mediators extending beyond traditional polarized immune responses. Therapeutic strategies targeting multiple pro‐inflammatory cytokines may be needed to address this heterogeneity.