bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Heart rate changes associated with the different types of leg movements during sleep in children, adolescents and adults with restless legs syndrome
Authors: Ferri Raffaele , Silvani Alessandro , Mogavero Maria P. , Rundo Francesco , Bruni Oliviero , Picchietti Daniel L. , DelRosso Lourdes M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe objective of this study was to describe in detail the heart rate changes accompanying short‐interval leg movements during sleep, periodic leg movements during sleep, and isolated leg movements during sleep in children and adolescents with restless legs syndrome, and to compare them with the same findings in adults with restless legs syndrome. We analysed time series of R‐R intervals synchronized to the onset of short‐interval leg movements during sleep, periodic leg movements during sleep or isolated leg movements during sleep that entailed an arousal during non‐rapid‐eye‐movement sleep. We assessed cardiac activation based on the heart rate changes with respect to baseline during non‐rapid‐eye‐movement sleep without leg movements. All types of leg movements recorded during sleep were accompanied by important heart rate changes also in children, with an overall impact similar to that observed in adults. In all age groups, heart rate changes accompanying short‐interval leg movements during sleep were constituted by a tachycardia, without a subsequent relative bradycardia, that was instead evident for periodic leg movements during sleep and isolated leg movements during sleep. Moreover, an age‐related decline of the relative bradycardia following the heart rate increase, in association with periodic leg movements during sleep and isolated leg movements during sleep, was observed. Our findings show that important heart rate changes accompany all leg movements during sleep at all ages in restless legs syndrome, with significant age‐related differences. This information represents an important contribution to the ongoing scientific debate on the possibility and opportunity to treat periodic leg movements during sleep.
Randomized double‐blinded clinical trial on acute transfusion reactions in dogs receiving leukoreduced versus nonleukoreduced packed red blood cells
Authors: Radulescu Sinziana Maria , Skulberg Ragnhild , McDonald Charlotte , Chan Daniel L. , Humm Karen 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundLeukoreduction of blood products is commonly performed in human medicine, but its effect on outcome or incidence of transfusion reactions (TRs) in dogs is unknown.ObjectivesTo prospectively evaluate the incidence of acute TRs in, and the outcome of, dogs receiving either leukoreduced (LR) or nonleukoreduced (N‐LR) packed red blood cells (PRBC).AnimalsDogs (n = 194) administered PRBC between August 2017 and June 2020.MethodsProspective randomized double‐blinded clinical trial. Dogs were randomized to receive either LR or N‐LR PRBC and clinicians, nurses and investigators were blinded to the group allocations. The incidence of TRs, change in PCV, hospitalization duration, and survival to discharge were recorded.ResultsOut of the 194 dogs, 96 received LR and 98 received N‐LR PRBCs. The mean 12‐hour change in PCV value was +9.22% (SD 5.27%) for dogs that received N‐LR and +10.69% (SD 6.44%) for dogs that received LR PRBC (effect size 0.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.02 to 0.55), which was not significantly different (P = .08). TRs were documented in 16/194 (8.24%) dogs, with 1/194 (0.51%) being a mild allergic reaction, while 15/194 (7.73%) had suspected febrile nonhemolytic TRs (FNHTRs). FNHTR incidence was not significantly different between the LR (6/96, 6.25%, 95% CI 2.8‐13.56) and N‐LR (9/98, 9.18%, 95% CI 4.92‐17.11) groups (P = .81). Of the 156 dogs that survived to discharge, 80/156 received N‐LR PRBC and 76/156 received LR PRBC which was not significantly different (P = .66).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceA clinical advantage of using LR over N‐LR PRBC in terms of TRs and increase in PCV after transfusion was not detected.
Research priorities for idiopathic epilepsy in dogs: Viewpoints of owners, general practice veterinarians, and neurology specialists
Authors: Jones Gareth Michael Couper , Volk Holger Andreas , Packer Rowena Mary Anne 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundEpilepsy is the most common chronic neurological disease in dogs that adversely affects the quality of life (QoL) of affected dogs and their owners. Research on epilepsy in dogs is expanding internationally, but where best to focus limited research time, funds, and expertise to achieve better outcomes for affected dogs and their owners has not been studied.ObjectiveTo explore idiopathic epilepsy (IE) research priorities of owners of dogs with IE, general practice veterinarians, and veterinary neurologists.MethodsAn international online survey was conducted in 2016 and repeated in 2020. Participants rated the absolute importance and relative rank of 18 areas of IE research, which were compared between groups and time points.ResultsValid responses were received from 414 respondents in 2016 and 414 respondents in 2020. The development of new anti‐seizure drugs (ASD) and improving the existing ASD management were considered the most important research priorities. Areas of research with increasing priority between 2016 and 2020 included non‐ASD management, with the greatest potential seen in behavioral and dietary‐based interventions. Disagreements in priorities were identified between groups; owners prioritized issues that impacted their and their dog's QoL, for example, adverse effects and comorbidities, whereas general practitioner vets and neurologists prioritized clinical issues and longer‐term strategies to manage or prevent IE, respectively.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceEnsuring that voices of owners are heard in the planning of future research should be a broader goal of veterinary medicine, to target research efforts toward areas most likely to improve the QoL of the dog‐owner dyad.
Patterns of MHC‐dependent sexual selection in a free‐living population of sheep
Authors: Huang Wei , Pilkington Jill G. , Pemberton Josephine M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe MHC is one of the most polymorphic gene clusters in vertebrates and play an essential role in adaptive immunity. Apart from pathogen‐mediated selection, sexual selection can also contribute to the maintenance of MHC diversity. MHC‐dependent sexual selection could occur via several mechanisms but at present there is no consensus as to which of these mechanisms are involved and their importance. Previous studies have often suffered from limited genetic and behavioural data and small sample size, and were rarely able to examine all the mechanisms together, determine whether signatures of MHC‐based non‐random mating are independent of genomic effects or differentiate whether MHC‐dependent sexual selection takes place at the pre‐ or post‐copulatory stage. In this study, we use Monte Carlo simulation to investigate evidence for non‐random MHC‐dependent mating patterns by all three mechanisms in a free‐living population of Soay sheep. Using 1710 sheep diplotyped at the MHC class IIa region and genome‐wide SNPs, together with field observations of consorts, we found sexual selection against a particular haplotype in males at the pre‐copulatory stage and sexual selection against female MHC heterozygosity during the rut. We also found MHC‐dependent disassortative mating at the post‐copulatory stage, along with strong evidence of inbreeding avoidance at both stages. However, results from generalized linear mixed models suggest that the pattern of MHC‐dependent disassortative mating could be a by‐product of inbreeding avoidance. Our results therefore suggest that while multiple apparent mechanisms of non‐random mating with respect to the MHC may occur, some of them have alternative explanations.
Genomic and phenotypic divergence informs translocation strategies for an endangered freshwater fish
Authors: Taylor Liam U. , Benavides Edgar , Simmons Jeffrey W. , Near Thomas J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTranslocation, the movement of organisms for conservation purposes, can result in unintended introgression if genetic material flows between populations in new ways. The Bluemask Darter Etheostoma akatulo is a federally endangered species of freshwater fish inhabiting the Caney Fork River system and three of its tributaries (Collins River, Rocky River, and Cane Creek) in Tennessee. The current conservation strategy for Bluemask Darters involves translocating the progeny of broodstock from the Collins River (in the west) to the Calfkiller River (in the east) where the species had been extirpated. In this study, we use ddRAD sequence data from across the extant range to assess this translocation strategy in light of population structure, phylogeny, and demography. We also include museum specimen data to assess morphological variation among extant and extirpated populations. Our analyses reveal substantial genetic and phenotypic disparities between a western population in the Collins River and an eastern population encompassing the Rocky River, Cane Creek, and upper Caney Fork, the two of which shared common ancestry more than 100,000 years ago. Furthermore, morphological analyses classify 12 of 13 Calfkiller River specimens with phenotypes consistent with the eastern population. These results suggest that current translocations perturb the evolutionary boundaries between two delimited populations. Instead, we suggest that repopulating the Calfkiller River using juveniles from the Rocky River could balance conflicting signatures of demography, diversity, and divergence. Beyond conservation, the microgeographic structure of Bluemask Darter populations adds another puzzle to the phylogeography of the hyperdiverse freshwater fishes in eastern North America.
From tides to nucleotides: Genomic signatures of adaptation to environmental heterogeneity in barnacles
Authors: Nunez Joaquin C. B. , Rong Stephen , Ferranti David A. , Damian‐Serrano Alejandro , Neil Kimberly B. , Glenner Henrik , Elyanow Rebecca G. , Brown Bianca R. P. , Alm Rosenblad Magnus , Blomberg Anders , Johannesson Kerstin , Rand David M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe northern acorn barnacle (Semibalanus balanoides) is a robust system to study the genetic basis of adaptations to highly heterogeneous environments. Adult barnacles may be exposed to highly dissimilar levels of thermal stress depending on where they settle in the intertidal (i.e., closer to the upper or lower tidal boundary). For instance, barnacles near the upper tidal limit experience episodic summer temperatures above recorded heat coma levels. This differential stress at the microhabitat level is also dependent on the aspect of sun exposure. In the present study, we used pool‐seq approaches to conduct a genome wide screen for loci responding to intertidal zonation across the North Atlantic basin (Maine, Rhode Island, and Norway). Our analysis discovered 382 genomic regions containing SNPs which are consistently zonated (i.e., SNPs whose frequencies vary depending on their position in the rocky intertidal) across all surveyed habitats. Notably, most zonated SNPs are young and private to the North Atlantic. These regions show high levels of genetic differentiation across ecologically extreme microhabitats concomitant with elevated levels of genetic variation and Tajima's D, suggesting the action of non‐neutral processes. Overall, these findings support the hypothesis that spatially heterogeneous selection is a general and repeatable feature for this species, and that natural selection can maintain functional genetic variation in heterogeneous environments.
Characterization of the cardiac phospholipidome of small cetaceans provides adaptational insight and a foundation for indirect population health screening
Authors: Monteiro João P. , Maciel Elisabete , Maia Rita , Pereira Andreia T. , Calado Ricardo , Domingues Pedro , Melo Tânia , Eira Catarina , Domingues M. Rosário 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe maintenance of a tightly regulated heart lipidome is a general hallmark of mammal health. However, in the case of cetaceans, heart tissue lipid composition remains obscure. This work represents a first in‐depth state‐of‐the‐art characterization of the lipid content of small cetacean hearts, namely those of Delphinus delphis, Phocoena phocoena, and Stenella coeruleoalba. Phospholipid classes identified were similar to those found in terrestrial mammals. Regarding fatty acid profiles, they revealed a much higher n‐3 fatty acid content than that reported for terrestrial counterparts. Phospholipidome characterization allowed identification of 198 lipid species, including phospholipids, lysophospholipids, and sphingomyelins, generally characterized by a high content of species with esterified n‐3 fatty acids. The cardiac lipid profile of the three cetacean species is similar in terms of lipid classes, fatty acids, and even molecular lipid species present. However, quantitative differences suggest a divergence of S. coeruleoalba from the other species in terms of fatty acid and phospholipid profile. The identified differences regarding terrestrial counterparts will contribute to better understanding the details of small cetacean cardiac physiology. Moreover, the characterization of cardiac phospholipidome may represent an opportunity to establish lipidomic‐based practical tools to reliably and reproducibly assess small cetacean health population status by remote sampling.
Implementing the Seal of Biliteracy: A Multiple Case Study of Six High‐Awarding Districts
Authors: HEINEKE AMY J. , DAVIN KRISTIN J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe Seal of Biliteracy (SoBL) is a language policy that has gained traction across the United States as stakeholders seek to recognize students’ competencies in languages other than English. Despite its potential to enhance language proficiency and encourage participation in language education, the SoBL has been unevenly implemented, with resulting inequities in whose bilingualism is recognized. With this study, we seek to understand implementational efforts in districts with established award programs that recognize large quantities of students. To reflect the national scope of the initiative, this multiple case study explores SoBL implementation in 6 districts spanning 5 states. Findings indicate that these high‐awarding districts prioritize students’ home and heritage languages, as well as maintain flexibility and funding for language assessments; involve multiple stakeholders inside and outside of schools; and utilize related state policies to promote SoBL efforts. The study offers implications to enhance equity in SoBL policy, practice, and research.
Fast synaptic excitatory neurotransmission in the human submucosal plexus
Authors: Michel Klaus , Krüger Dagmar , Schäuffele Stefanie , Zeller Florian , Demir Ihsan Ekin , Theisen Jörg , Schemann Michael 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundAcetylcholine is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the enteric nervous system (ENS) in all animal models examined so far. However, data for the human ENS is scarce.MethodsWe used neuroimaging using voltage and calcium dyes, Ussing chamber, and immunohistochemistry to study fast synaptic neurotransmission in submucosal plexus neurons of the human gut.Key ResultsElectrical stimulation of intraganglionic fiber tracts led to fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in 29 submucosal neurons which were all blocked by the nicotinic antagonist hexamethonium. The nicotinic agonist DMPP mimicked the effects of electrical stimulation and had excitatory effects on 56 of 73 neurons. The unselective NMDA antagonist MK‐801 blocked fEPSPs in 14 out of 22 neurons as well as nicotine evoked spike discharge. In contrast, the application of NMDA showed only weak effects on excitability or calcium transients. This agreed with the finding that the specific NMDA antagonist D‐APV reduced fEPSPs in only 1 out of 40 neurons. Application of AMPA or kainite had no effect in 41 neurons or evoked spike discharge in only one out of 41 neurons, respectively. Immunohistochemistry showed that 98.7 ± 2.4% of all submucosal neurons (n = 6 preparations, 1003 neurons) stained positive for the nicotinic receptor (α1, α2 or α3–subunit). Hexamethonium (200 µM) reduced nerve‐evoked chloride secretion by 34.3 ± 18.6% (n = 14 patients), whereas D‐APV had no effect.Conclusion & InferenceAcetylcholine is the most important mediator of fast excitatory postsynaptic transmission in human submucous plexus neurons whereas glutamatergic fEPSPs were rarely encountered.
Guard against temptation: Intrapersonal team reasoning and the role of intentions in exercising willpower
Authors: Gold Natalie 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSometimes we make a decision about an action we will undertake later and form an intention, but our judgment of what it is best to do undergoes a temporary shift when the time for action comes round. What makes it rational not to give in to temptation? Many contemporary solutions privilege diachronic rationality; in some “rational non‐reconsideration” (RNR) accounts once the agent forms an intention, it is rational not to reconsider. This leads to other puzzles: how can someone be motivated to follow a plan that is contrary to their current judgment? How can it be rational to form a plan to resist if we can predict that our judgment will shift? I show how these puzzles can be solved in a framework where there are multiple units of agency, distinguishing between the judgments of the timeslice and those of the person over time, and allowing that the timeslice can “self identify”, taking the person over time as the relevant unit of agency and doing intrapersonal team reasoning (with a different causal role for intentions than RNR accounts). On my account, resisting temptation is compatible with synchronic rationality, so synchronic and diachronic rationality are aligned. However, either resisting or succumbing to temptation can be instrumentally rational, depending on the unit of agency that is identified with. In order to show why we ought to resist temptation, we need to draw on a non‐instrumental rationale. I sketch possible routes for doing this.
Antitumor and antimigration effects of Salvia clandestina L. extract on osteosarcoma cells
Authors: Muscella Antonella , Stefàno Erika , De Bellis Luigi , Nutricati Eliana , Negro Carmine , Marsigliante Santo 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSalvia clandestina L. is a wild perennial species present in the Salento area of Italy. Here, we examined the in vitro effects of an aqueous extract of S. clandestina L. on the MG‐63 osteosarcoma cell line. The extract reduced osteosarcoma cell viability mainly by way of apoptosis, as we observed (1) upregulation of gene and protein expression of p53, cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors p21WAF1 and p27Kip1, and proapoptotic BAX; (2) activation of caspases; and (3) induction of a sub‐G1 peak in the cell cycle. The mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) JNK1/2 and p38 are activated and involved in the intracellular effects of the S. clandestina extract, as preincubation with the JNK1/2 inhibitor SP600125 or the p38 inhibitor SB203580 significantly decreased S. clandestina extract–induced cytotoxicity and inhibited increase in p53, p21WAF1, p27Kip1, and BAX. SP600125 also inhibited mRNA levels for all the aforementioned proteins, while SB203580 only affected p53 mRNA. Furthermore, S. clandestina extract treatment counteracted epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition, inhibited cell migration, and decreased the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase MMP2. In addition, S. clandestina extract enhanced the cytotoxic activity of cisplatin on MG‐63 cells through downregulation of the Akt/PKB protein kinase. We conclude that S. clandestina extract may be a novel agent for osteosarcoma treatment.
Effect of exercise on cardiometabolic health of adults with overweight or obesity: Focus on blood pressure, insulin resistance, and intrahepatic fat—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Battista Francesca , Ermolao Andrea , van Baak Marleen A. , Beaulieu Kristine , Blundell John E. , Busetto Luca , Carraça Eliana V. , Encantado Jorge , Dicker Dror , Farpour‐Lambert Nathalie , Pramono Adriyan , Bellicha Alice , Oppert Jean‐Michel 
Published: May 2021

SummaryThis systematic review examined the impact of exercise intervention programs on selected cardiometabolic health indicators in adults with overweight or obesity. Three electronic databases were explored for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that included adults with overweight or obesity and provided exercise‐training interventions. Effects on blood pressure, insulin resistance (homeostasis model of insulin resistance, HOMA‐IR), and magnetic resonance measures of intrahepatic fat in exercise versus control groups were analyzed using random effects meta‐analyses. Fifty‐four articles matched inclusion criteria. Exercise training reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mean difference, MD = −2.95 mmHg [95% CI −4.22, −1.68], p < 0.00001, I2 = 63% and MD = −1.93 mmHg [95% CI −2.73, −1.13], p < 0.00001, I2 = 54%, 60 and 58 study arms, respectively). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased also when considering only subjects with hypertension. Exercise training significantly decreased HOMA‐IR (standardized mean difference, SMD = −0.34 [−0.49, −0.18], p < 0.0001, I2 = 48%, 37 study arms), with higher effect size in subgroup of patients with type 2 diabetes (SMD = −0.50 [95% CI: −0.83, −0.17], p = 0.003, I2 = 39%). Intrahepatic fat decreased significantly after exercise interventions (SMD = −0.59 [95% CI: −0.78, −0.41], p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%), with a larger effect size after high‐intensity interval training. In conclusion, exercise training is effective in improving cardiometabolic health in adults with overweight or obesity also when living with comorbitidies.
Pacemaker guided screening for severe sleep apnea, a possible option for patients with atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wyckmans Martin , Tukanov Eldar , Winters Robbe , Stinissen Robin , Vermeulen Helene , Dendale Paul , Desteghe Lien 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionObstructive sleep apnea is often underdiagnosed in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients although it is an important risk factor. A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed to assess which techniques cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) and Holter monitors use to screen for sleep apnea (SA), and to evaluate if these are suitable for AF patients from a diagnostic accuracy perspective.MethodsThe search was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA‐guidelines. PICO was defined as (P) patients with AF, (I) Holter monitors or CIED suitable for screening for SA, (C) overnight polysomnography (PSG), (O) positive screening with subsequent positive polysomnographic diagnosis of SA. Optimal index test cut‐off points corresponding to reference test cut‐off for severe SA (PSG‐AHI ≥ 30) were compared. Meta‐analysis was conducted for the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), with forest plot and ROC‐curve for summary DOR.ResultsA total of five prospective cohort studies (n = 192) were included in the systematic review of which four studies (n = 132) were included in the meta‐analysis. All included studies use transthoracic impedance measurement as a screening parameter. No studies evaluating Holter monitors were included. The population consisted of patients indicated for pacemaker implantation. The summary DOR was 27.14 (8.83; 83.37), AUC was 0.8689 (0.6872; 0.9456) and Q* was 0.8390 (0.7482; 0.9013).ConclusionAt optimal pacemaker‐cut‐off, pacemaker‐guided screening for severe SA in patients with AF can be an effective triage tool for clinical practice. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to strengthen the evidence for this conclusion.