bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Freshwater salinization and the evolved tolerance of amphibians
Authors: Relyea Rick , Mattes Brian , Schermerhorn Candace , Shepard Isaac 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe increasing salinization of freshwaters is a growing environmental issue as a result of mining, agriculture, climate change, and the application of de‐icing salts in regions that experience ice and snow. Due to narrow osmotic limits, many freshwater species are particularly susceptible to salinization, but it is possible that repeated exposures over time could favor the evolution of increased salt tolerance. Using collected nine populations of larval wood frogs (Rana sylvatica) as eggs from ponds and wetlands with close proximity to roads and spanning a wide gradient of salt concentrations. In the first experiment, we used a time‐to‐death experiment to examine the salt tolerance. In a second experiment, we examined whether population differences in salt tolerance were associated with trade‐offs in growth, development, or behavior in the presence of control water or a sublethal salt concentration. We found that populations collected from ponds with low and intermediate salt concentrations exhibited similar tolerance curves over a 96‐h exposure. However, the population from a pond with the highest salt concentration exhibited a much higher tolerance. We also found population differences in growth, development, and activity level among the populations, but these were not associated with population differences in tolerance. In addition, the sublethal concentration of salt had no impact on growth and development, but it did cause a reduction in tadpole activity across the populations. Collectively, these results provide further evidence that some species of freshwater organisms can evolve tolerance to increasing salinization, although it may only occur under relatively high concentrations and without trade‐offs in growth, development, or behavior.
Microbial community composition in the dung of five sympatric European herbivore species
Authors: Sun Xingzhao , Sitters Judith , Ruytinx Joske , Wassen Martin J. , Olde Venterink Harry 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe dung microbiome is a complex system that is highly influenced by species and diet. This study characterized the dung bacterial and fungal communities of five herbivore species inhabiting the National Park Zuid‐Kennemerland, the Netherlands. The five selected herbivore species were rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.), cow (Bos taurus L.), horse (Equus ferus caballus L.), fallow deer (Dama dama L.), and European bison (Bison bonasus L.). We explored the effects of distinct digestive physiology (ruminants vs. non‐ruminants) and diverse dietary preferences on the microbial community composition of herbivore dung. Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were dominant bacterial phyla in the dung of all five herbivore species, and Ascomycota was the predominant fungal phylum. Verrucomicrobiota and Mucoromycota were more present in horse dung and Proteobacteria were more abundant in rabbit dung than the three ruminant dung types. There were few significant differences in the microbial community structure among the three ruminant dung types. The alpha and beta diversity of dung microbial communities significantly differed between ruminants and non‐ruminants, especially in bacterial communities. Based on MetaCyc pathways, we found that the primary functions of bacteria in herbivore dung were focused on biosynthesis, various super pathways, and degradation, with a few differences between ruminant and non‐ruminant dung. FUNGuild analysis showed that horse dung had more saprotrophic fungi, while the fungi in fallow deer dung had more symbiotrophic properties, with the fungal functions of bison, cow, and rabbit dung somewhere in between. There was also a correlation between microbial community and nutrient composition of the substrate in herbivore dung. Understanding the dung microbial community composition of these herbivore species can enrich the database of mammalian gut microbiomes for studying the mechanisms of microbial community variation while preparing for exploring a new perspective to study the impact of herbivores on ecosystems through dung deposition.
The spotted parrotfish genome provides insights into the evolution of a coral reef dietary specialist (Teleostei: Labridae: Scarini: Cetoscarus ocellatus)
Authors: Tea Yi‐Kai , Zhou Yulu , Ewart Kyle M. , Cheng Guo , Kawasaki Kazuhiko , DiBattista Joseph D. , Ho Simon Y. W. , Lo Nathan , Fan Shaohua 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWith over 600 valid species, the wrasses (family Labridae) are among the largest and most successful families of the marine teleosts. They feature prominently on coral reefs where they are known not only for their impressive diversity in colouration and form but also for their functional specialisation and ability to occupy a wide variety of trophic guilds. Among the wrasses, the parrotfishes (tribe Scarini) display some of the most dramatic examples of trophic specialisation. Using abrasion‐resistant biomineralized teeth, parrotfishes are able to mechanically extract protein‐rich micro‐photoautotrophs growing in and among reef carbonate material, a dietary niche that is inaccessible to most other teleost fishes. This ability to exploit an otherwise untapped trophic resource is thought to have played a role in the diversification and evolutionary success of the parrotfishes. In order to better understand the key evolutionary innovations leading to the success of these dietary specialists, we sequenced and analysed the genome of a representative species, the spotted parrotfish (Cetoscarus ocellatus). We find significant expansion, selection and duplications within several detoxification gene families and a novel poly‐glutamine expansion in the enamel protein ameloblastin, and we consider their evolutionary implications. Our genome provides a useful resource for comparative genomic studies investigating the evolutionary history of this highly specialised teleostean radiation.
Novel analytic methods for predicting extinctions in ecological networks
Authors: Jones Chris , Zurell Damaris , Wiesner Karoline 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEcological networks describe the interactions between different species, informing us how they rely on one another for food, pollination, and survival. If a species in an ecosystem is under threat of extinction, it can affect other species in the system and possibly result in their secondary extinction as well. Understanding how (primary) extinctions cause secondary extinctions on ecological networks has been considered previously using computational methods. However, these methods do not provide an explanation for the properties that make ecological networks robust, and they can be computationally expensive. We develop a new analytic model for predicting secondary extinctions that requires no stochastic simulation. Our model can predict secondary extinctions when primary extinctions occur at random or due to some targeting based on the number of links per species or risk of extinction, and can be applied to an ecological network of any number of layers. Using our model, we consider how false negatives and positives in network data affect predictions for network robustness. We have also extended the model to predict scenarios in which secondary extinctions occur once species lose a certain percentage of interaction strength, and to model the loss of interactions as opposed to just species extinction. From our model, it is possible to derive new analytic results such as how ecological networks are most robust when secondary species are of equal degree. Additionally, we show that both specialization and generalization in the distribution of interaction strength can be advantageous for network robustness, depending upon the extinction scenario being considered.
Identifying the drivers of vegetation changes in Inner Mongolia based on residual analysis and Hasse diagram technique
Authors: Mu Shuangyan , Tong Siqin , Batunacun  , Ah Rong , Mei Li , Bao Gang , Huang Xiaojun , Bao Yuhai 
Published: March 2024

AbstractExploring the effect of climate change and human activities on vegetation is a key requisite for the reconstruction of regional ecological environments. Therefore, based on long‐term vegetation GIMMS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data, climate data, and statistical data, the present study applied the Hasse diagram technique and combined the multivariate regression residual analysis to quantitatively analyze the impact of human activities and climate change on vegetation in Inner Mongolia from detailed human activities with some innovations. The results show that (1) NDVI shows an overall increasing trend over the last 39 years, with an abrupt change in 2000; moreover, vegetation growth was better before the abrupt change (PI: 1982–2000) than after it (PII: 2001–2020), with significant downward trends in Xilin Gol and Hulunbuir. (2) Human activities can promote as well as inhibit vegetation, and the promotion effect was larger during 1982–2000 than during 2001–2020, whereas the inhibition effect was larger during 2001–2020. In addition, during PI, vegetation in Inner Mongolia generally experienced promotion by human activities and climate change, while during PII, climate‐driven promotion had the strongest effect, followed by human‐driven inhibition mainly distributed in Xilin Gol. (3) The result of the Hasse diagram analysis shows that the dominant pathways of human activities affecting most of the cities were economic factors and urbanization during PI and economization during PII.
Cushing's Syndrome in Pregnancy Secondary to Adrenocortical Adenoma: A Case Series and Review
Authors: Wang Yan , An Yufen , Hou Xiaomei , Xu Yanan , Li Zhen , Liu Xin , Zheng Fumin , Sun Mingze , Han Rendong , Lu Caixia , Li Jing , Zhou Jun 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTPurposeTo present a case series of Cushing's syndrome (CS) during pregnancy caused by adrenocortical adenomas, highlighting clinical features, hormonal assessments and outcomes.MethodsWe describe five pregnant women with CS, detailing clinical presentations and laboratory findings.ResultsCommon clinical features included a full moon face, buffalo back and severe hypertension. Elevated blood cortisol levels with circadian rhythm disruption and suppressed adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) levels were observed. Imaging revealed unilateral adrenal tumours. Two cases underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomies during the second trimester, while three had postpartum surgery. All required hormone replacement therapy, with postoperative pathological confirmation of adrenocortical adenomas.ConclusionDiagnosis of CS during pregnancy is challenging due to overlapping features with normal pregnancy: elevated blood cortisol levels and abnormal diurnal rhythm of blood cortisol, suppressed aid diagnosis. Treatment should be individualised due to a lack of explicit optimum therapeutic approaches. Laparoscopic adrenalectomy may be an optimal choice, along with multidisciplinary management including hormone replacement therapy.
Effects of Empagliflozin‐Induced Glycosuria on Weight Gain, Food Intake and Metabolic Indicators in Mice Fed a High‐Fat Diet
Authors: Nguyen Anh T. , Amigo Zachary , McDuffie Kathleen , MacQueen Victoria C. , Bell Lane D. , Truong Lan K. , Batchi Gloria , McMillin Sara M. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundSodium glucose‐linked transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors promote glucose, and therefore calorie, excretion in the urine. Patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors typically experience mild weight loss, but the amount of weight loss falls short of what is expected based on caloric loss. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for this weight loss discrepancy is imperative, as strategies to improve weight loss could markedly improve type 2 diabetes management and overall metabolic health.MethodsTwo mouse models of diet‐induced obesity were administered the SGLT2 inhibitor empagliflozin in the food for 3 months. Urine glucose excretion, body weight, food intake and activity levels were monitored. In addition, serum hormone measurements were taken, and gene expression analyses were conducted.ResultsIn both mouse models, mice receiving empagliflozin gained the same amount of body weight as their diet‐matched controls despite marked glucose loss in the urine. No changes in food intake, serum ghrelin concentrations or activity levels were observed, but serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) decreased after treatment. A decrease in the levels of deiodinase 2 (Dio2) was also observed in the white adipose tissue, a primary target tissue of FGF21.ConclusionThese findings suggest that compensatory metabolic adaptations, other than increased food intake or decreased physical activity, occur in response to SGLT2 inhibitor‐induced glycosuria that combats weight loss, and that reductions in FGF21, along with subsequent reductions in peripheral Dio2, may play a role.
Towards Catchment Scale Natural Flood Management: Developing evidence, funding and governance approaches
Authors: Carter Jeremy Graham , Karvonen Andrew , Winter Amanda 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNatural flood management is emerging as a viable way to leverage ecological services to manage flooding. Stakeholders are progressively positioning natural flood management at the scale of river catchments to encourage a move beyond localised and opportunistic actions towards more strategic and cost‐effective flood risk management responses. This reflects a broader turn towards nature‐based solutions, acknowledgement of the climate change adaptation imperative, and recognition that natural flood management can achieve multiple socio‐economic and biophysical co‐benefits. A particular set of issues connected to the specific characteristics of natural flood management are influencing attempts to move towards the catchment scale. This paper identifies evidence, funding and governance as key to understanding the challenges facing natural flood management in this context, with these issues providing a focus for the identification of strategies to move towards catchment scale outcomes. A case study exploring the Irwell catchment in Northwest England provides empirical insights on these themes and identifies approaches that can support the transition towards catchment scale natural flood management. This paper calls for wider implementation of experimental approaches in this field focused on multi‐faceted evaluation, blended financing and strategic intermediaries to help overcome overarching evidence, funding and governance challenges to making this transition.
The intensity rather than the quantity of prior work determines the subsequent downward shift in the power duration relationship in professional cyclists
Authors: Spragg James , Leo Peter , Giorgi Andrea , Gonzalez Borja Martinez , Swart Jeroen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTo determine whether the intensity of prior work is an important contributing factor to the downward shift in the power‐duration relationship. Data were collected from 14 professional cyclists (height 176.3 cm ± 7, body mass 67.3 kg ± 5, CP, 5.3 W·kg−1 ± 0.21). Participants conducted a power profile test three times consisting of a 15s, a 3 min and a 12 min maximal effort trial utilizing a standardized climb. On the first occasion, the power profile test was conducted in a fresh state (Fresh), the subsequent power profile tests were conducted after two different fatiguing protocols: ∼2000 kJ of work at <70% of CP (low‐intensity continuous (LIC)) and following a novel fatiguing protocol consisting of 5 × 8 min at 105%–110% of CP (HI). Participants conducted significantly less work in HI compared with LIC, however, 1 and 15s power were significantly lower post‐HI than LIC. The 3‐min power output was significantly lower post‐HI than Fresh but not significantly lower in LIC than Fresh. The 12‐min power output and CP were not significantly different between conditions. These findings demonstrate the importance of the intensity of prior work in the resultant downward shift in the power‐duration relationship, especially for shorter‐duration efforts and suggest that the total amount of work done is alone not sufficient to describe prior work.
Metal‐organic frameworks‐assisted electrochemical sensing toward magnesium in medicinal and edible homologous for pharmacological evaluation.
Authors: Dai Cuihong , Li Xu , Cui Yunqi , Yang Zhibin , Zhang Hongda 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGiven the importance of Magnesium (Mg) assay for efficacy evaluation of medicinal and edible homologous (MEH), an electrochemical sensor is designed by exploiting the cooperative properties of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). To be specific, the constructed bimetallic MOFs ((FeZr)MOF) are designed by using Zr(IV) and Fe(III) clusters as metal sources, which provide a large platform for AuNPs attachment to design signal probes. Benefitting from the catalytic properties of (FeZr)MOF toward hydroxylamine, electrochemical signal is attained for Mg2+ analysis with the detection limit to be 3 μM (corresponding to 0.072 μg g−1). Relying on DNAzymes as recognition elements, good anti‐jamming is achieved for Mg2+ analysis against the coexisting ions in Puerarin, Chinese wolfberry, hawthorn and dangshen. With the superiority of rapid response, acceptable sensitivity and specificity, the electrochemical sensor provides a useful pattern for assessing the pharmacological effects of MEH substances, pointing to reasonable selection and combination of multiple health function dietary therapy formulas.
Pure amnestic seizure: A clinico‐intracranial EEG study
Authors: Kawaguchi Norihiko , Inoue Yushi , Terada Kiyohito , Usui Naotaka 
Published: March 2024

AbstractObjectiveEnduring anterograde amnesia is caused by lesions in bilateral mesial temporal lobes. However, whether transient dysfunction of bilateral mesial temporal regions induces reversible amnesia has not been proven. We investigated this association in patients with epilepsy and analyzed the electroclinical correlation during pure amnestic seizures (PAS). PAS are defined as seizures with anterograde amnesia as the only ictal manifestation, accompanied by preserved responsiveness and other cognitive functions.MethodsWe retrospectively searched our intracranial EEG database to find PAS. Pure ictal amnesia was confirmed by immediate and comprehensive ictal examinations.ResultsAmong 401 patients who underwent intracranial EEG recording, three patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) manifesting PAS were identified. The patients talked and behaved normally during seizure but did not remember the episodes afterwards. Ictal discharges were confined to bilateral mesial temporal regions, with no or mild involvement of surrounding structures. Spread of low‐voltage fast activities to bilateral mesial temporal regions corresponded to onset of ictal anterograde amnesia. Two patients underwent unilateral mesial temporal resection and became seizure‐free with improvement in cognitive functions.SignificancePAS is a rare ictal semiology in TLE. Bilateral mesial temporal regions that play a critical role in memory encoding are presumably the symptomatogenic zones for PAS.
May anti‐seizure medications alter brain structure in temporal lobe epilepsy? A prospective study
Authors: Sammarra Ilaria , Caligiuri Maria Eugenia , Bonacci Maria Celeste , Di Gennaro Gianfranco , Fortunato Francesco , Martino Iolanda , Giugno Alessia , Labate Angelo , Gambardella Antonio 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMild mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) patients may remain untreated for a considerable time after disease onset or achieve seizure control with a single anti‐seizures medication (ASM). Thus, they represent an optimal population to investigate whether ASMs might have influence on brain structure. We consecutively enrolled 56 mild MTLE patients (22/56 untreated, 34/56 on‐monotherapy) and 58 healthy controls, matched for age and gender. All subjects underwent 3T‐brain MRI, using FreeSurfer for automated morphometry. Differences in gray matter were assessed using one‐way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), adjusting for age, disease duration and intracranial volume. No significant change was observed between treated and untreated patients. We observed a significant reduction in cortical thickness of left inferior parietal, inferior temporal, middle temporal gyri, and right inferior parietal gyrus, temporal pole in monotherapy patients compared to healthy controls, as well as an increase in left isthmus of cingulate gyrus in untreated MTLE subjects compared to controls. Surface and subcortical volumes analysis revealed no differences among groups. Our study demonstrated no substantial morphological abnormalities between untreated mild MTLE patients and those undergoing monotherapy. Although exploratory, these results may reassure about safety of commonly used drugs and their marginal role in influencing neuroimaging results.Plain Language SummaryThis study investigated the following question: can medications against epileptic seizures have an effect on brain structure in mild mesial temporal lobe? Preliminary results from our analyses suggest not, as we did not find any difference in brain gray matter between untreated patients and those treated with a single anti‐seizures medication. On the other hand, epilepsy patients presented cortical thinning compared to healthy controls in several regions of the temporal and parietal lobes, in line with previous studies investigating the disease.
A protocol for adapting a clinical practice guideline for the treatment of paediatric asthma for the Egyptian Pediatric Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee
Authors: Abdel Baky Ashraf , Youssef Ahmed , Elsholkamy Lamis , Saber Mona , Gamal Nahla , Soliman Nanies , Amer Yasser 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIntroductionPaediatric asthma is a prevalent and chronic respiratory condition affecting children worldwide. This protocol outlines the methodology for developing a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the management of paediatric asthma. The goal of this guideline is to provide evidence‐based recommendations for healthcare professionals, improving the quality of care and health outcomes for paediatric patients with asthma.MethodsWe will use the ‘Adapted ADAPTE’ adaption method, a systematic approach to adapt existing guidelines, which consists of three phases (setup, adaptation and finalisation phases), nine modules and 24 steps, with adaptations to the process and tools to suit the Egypt healthcare context and resources.QuestionsClinical questions were prepared using the patient population, interventions, professionals, outcomes and healthcare context (PIPOH) model. This CPG protocol addresses critical clinical questions at the heart of effective asthma management in children. It focuses on the diagnosis of paediatric asthma, considering age‐specific clinical presentations and diagnostic tests, assessment of asthma severity, control medications like inhaled corticosteroids, long‐acting β‐agonists and others, with an emphasis on appropriate tools and criteria. The CPG also delves into the realm of long‐term control treatment, exploring the effectiveness and safety of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions, while considering individualised needs. Furthermore, it examines strategies for monitoring and adjusting treatment plans over time, ensuring optimal care. These clinical questions form the foundation of the CPG, facilitating evidence‐based care delivery and enhancing health outcomes for paediatric asthma patients.