bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Legume germination is delayed in dry soils and in sterile soils devoid of microbial mutualists: Species‐specific implications for upward range expansions
Authors: Keeler Andrea M. , Rafferty Nicole E. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractClimate change is affecting species and their mutualists and can lead to the weakening or loss of important interspecific interactions. Through independent shifts in partner phenology and distribution, climatic stress can separate mutualists temporally or spatially, leading to alterations in partner functional traits and fitness. Here, we explored the effects of the loss of microbial mutualists on legume germination success and phenology. In particular, we assessed the effects of mutualism loss via soil sterilization, increased drought, and introduction to novel soils found beyond the current distributions of two focal legume species in subalpine environments. Through common garden experiments in controlled environments, we found evidence that soil sterilization (and consequent microbial absence) and dry soils caused species‐specific phenological delays of 2–5 weeks in germination, likely as a result of interaction loss between legumes and specialized germination‐promoting soil microbes, such as mutualistic rhizobia. Delays in germination caused by a mismatch between legumes and beneficial microbes could negatively affect legume fitness through increased plant–plant competition later in the season. Additionally, we found evidence of the presence of beneficial microbes beyond the current elevational range of one of our focal legumes, which may allow for expansion of the leading edge, although harsh abiotic factors in the alpine may hinder this. Alterations in the strength of soil microbe‐legume mutualisms may lead to reduced fitness and altered demography for both soil microbes and legumes.
Density‐dependent changes of mating system and family structure in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)
Authors: Batsuren Erdenetuya , Zhang Xin , Song Mingjing , Wan Xinru , Li Guoliang , Liu Jing , Huang Shuli , Zhang Zhibin 
Published: August 2022

AbstractA mating system is an important life history for animals dealing with changing environments. Population density affects the plasticity of a mating system and subsequently the family structure of animals, but its impacts on mating systems and social structures are rarely investigated by using molecular markers in field conditions. In this study, using microsatellite genetic markers, we examined the changes in the social and genetic mating system and family structure of Brandt's voles in the grassland of Inner Mongolia, China, under low‐, medium‐, and high‐density enclosures (each enclosure 0.48‐ha with 4 replicates.) We found, with the increase in population density of the founder voles introduced into the enclosure in early spring, both sexes increased their number of genetic mating partners, while males increased their social partners, resulting in a more promiscuous mating system. The number of genetic fathers and mothers per family, the number of social offspring per founder male or female, and the proportion of extra‐group offspring increased with increased density, indicating that the response of the family structure to density change, which is consistent with the change in mating system observed in our study. Both male and female voles had multiple mates, but males had a larger number of social and genetic mates, the number of social and genetic offspring, and the number of social and genetic families. Our study highlights the significance of density‐dependent plasticity of a mating system and family structure in affecting the population change of small mammals.
Assisted dispersal and reproductive success in an ant species with matchmaking
Authors: Vidal Mathilde , Heinze Jürgen 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWorkers of the ant Cardiocondyla elegans drop female sexuals into the nest entrance of other colonies to promote outbreeding with unrelated, wingless males. Corroborating the results from previous years, we document that carrier and carried female sexuals are typically related and that the transfer initially occurs mostly from their joint natal colonies to unrelated colonies. Female sexuals mate multiply with up to seven genetically distinguishable males. Contrary to our expectation, the colony growth rate of multiple‐mated and outbred female sexuals was lower than that of inbred or single‐mated females, leading to the question of why female sexuals mate multiply at all. Despite the obvious costs, multiple mating might be a way for female sexuals to “pay rent” for hibernation in an alien nest. We argue that in addition to evade inbreeding depression from regular sibling mating over many generations, assisted dispersal might also be a strategy for minimizing the risk of losing all reproductive investment when nests are flooded in winter.
The performance of field sampling for parasite detection in a wild passerine
Authors: Abdu Salamatu , Chimento Michael , Alarcón‐Nieto Gustavo , Zúñiga Daniel , Aplin Lucy M. , Farine Damien R. , Brandl Hanja B. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractParasites can impact the behavior of animals and alter the interplay with ecological factors in their environment. Studying the effects that parasites have on animals thus requires accurate estimates of infections in individuals. However, quantifying parasites can be challenging due to several factors. Laboratory techniques, physiological fluctuations, methodological constraints, and environmental influences can introduce measurement errors, in particular when screening individuals in the wild. These issues are pervasive in ecological studies where it is common to sample study subjects only once. Such factors should be carefully considered when choosing a sampling strategy, yet presently there is little guidance covering the major sources of error. In this study, we estimate the reliability and sensitivity of different sampling practices at detecting two internal parasites—Serratospiculoides amaculata and Isospora sp.—in a model organism, the great tit Parus major. We combine field and captive sampling to assess whether individual parasite infection status and load can be estimated from single field samples, using different laboratory techniques—McMaster and mini‐FLOTAC. We test whether they vary in their performance, and quantify how sample processing affects parasite detection rates. We found that single field samples had elevated rates of false negatives. By contrast, samples collected from captivity over 24 h were highly reliable (few false negatives) and accurate (repeatable in the intensity of infection). In terms of methods, we found that the McMaster technique provided more repeatable estimates than the mini‐FLOTAC for S. amaculata eggs, and both techniques were largely equally suitable for Isospora oocysts. Our study shows that field samples are likely to be unreliable in accurately detecting the presence of parasites and, in particular, for estimating parasite loads in songbirds. We highlight important considerations for those designing host–parasite studies in captive or wild systems giving guidance that can help select suitable methods, minimize biases, and acknowledge possible limitations.
Variability of hydraulic conductivity and water repellency of soils with fire severity in pine forests and reforested areas under Mediterranean conditions
Authors: Lucas‐Borja Manuel Esteban , Fernández Cristina , Plaza‐Alvarez Pedro Antonio , Zema Demetrio Antonio 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe effects of fire on soil hydraulic conductivity (K) and soil water repellency (SWR) have been mainly studied by field experiments in forest areas burned by wildfires with a given severity, while the variability of K and SWR with the fire severities has been less investigated. To fill this gap, the changes in the K and SWR with fire severity and soil depth (1 and 5 cm below the ground surface) have been evaluated in two forest ecosystems (natural stand of pine and reforested areas) of Central Eastern Spain. A significant influence of the fire severity on the infiltration rates was found, and this influence was different between the natural stand of pine and the reforested areas. Compared to the unburned soils, the highest reduction of the K (80% to 90%) and SWR levels were found for the fires with low and intermediate severities at the soil surface. At the lower soil depth, the reduction of K and the SWR level due to fire were proportional to its severity. Moreover, the K of the soil surface layer was often higher compared to the water infiltration in the deeper layer. In the reforested areas, also low fire severities can noticeably reduce the surface K, despite the limited SWR, while the natural forests are less exposed to hydrophobicity in their surface soil layer. This study indicates the need to reduce the risk of flooding and erosion linked to a reduction in water infiltration and increase of soil repellency.
Clinical characteristics and 1‐year outcomes in hospitalized patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: results from the China Cardiovascular Association Database‐Heart Failure Center Registry
Authors: Cai Anping , Qiu Weida , Zhou Yingling , Feng Yingqing , Chen Jiyan , Xia Shuang , Li Weimin , Liao Yuhua , Li Xinli , Zhou Jingmin , Wang Hua , Jin Wei , Zhang Qing , Sun Zhijun , Chen Mulei , Wang Jiang , Kong Hong , Zhang Yao , Dong Wei , Bai Ling , Xu Dongjie , Yuan Jing , Liu Chen , Jiang Meng , Xu Yamei , Li Liwen , Dong Yugang , Yang Jiefu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractAimWe aimed to evaluate clinical characteristics and 1‐year outcomes in hospitalized patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) from China. Factors associated with outcomes (hospitalization for HF [HHF] and cardiovascular [CV] death) were assessed.Method and resultsData were from the China Cardiovascular Association (CCA) Database‐HF Center Registry. Between January 2017 and June 2021, 41 708 hospitalized HFpEF patients with 1‐year follow‐up from 481 CCA Database‐HF Center certified secondary and tertiary hospitals across overall 31 provinces of mainland China were included in this study. Of study participants (mean age 72.2 years, 49.3% female), 18.2% had HHF in prior 1 year and 55.8% had New York Heart Association class III/IV. Median left ventricular ejection fraction was 59%. Ischaemia (26.6%), infection (14.4%) and arrhythmia (10.5%) were the three most common precipitating factors for index HHF. Nearly 67.4% had ≥3 comorbidities. Hypertension (65.2%), coronary heart disease (60.3%) and atrial fibrillation (41.2%) were the three most common comorbidities. Device and medication therapy non‐compliance with current HF guideline recommendation was observed. The 1‐year rate of clinical outcomes was 16.4%, the 1‐year rate of HHF was 13.6% and CV death was 3.1%. Factors associated with clinical outcomes included HHF in prior 1 year, serum level of sodium <135 mmol/L and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide >1800 pg/ml.ConclusionPatients with HFpEF from China were characterized by high comorbid burden and high 1‐year risk of HHF and CV death. Immediate efforts are needed to improve HFpEF management in China.
Effects of remote haemodynamic‐guided heart failure management in patients with different subtypes of pulmonary hypertension: insights from the MEMS‐HF study
Authors: Assmus Birgit , Angermann Christiane E. , Alkhlout Basil , Asselbergs Folkert W. , Schnupp Steffen , Brugts Jasper J. , Nordbeck Peter , Zhou Qian , Brett Marie‐Elena , Ginn Greg , Adamson Philip B. , Böhm Michael , Rosenkranz Stephan 
Published: August 2022

AimThe CardioMEMS European Monitoring Study for Heart Failure (MEMS‐HF) investigated safety and efficacy of pulmonary artery pressure (PAP)‐guided remote patient management (RPM) in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III outpatients with at least one heart failure hospitalization (HFH) during the previous 12 months. This pre‐specified subgroup analysis investigated whether RPM effects depended on presence and subtype of pulmonary hypertension (PH).Methods and resultsIn 106/234 MEMS‐HF participants, Swan–Ganz catheter tracings obtained during sensor implant were available for off‐line manual analysis jointly performed by two experts. Patients were classified into subgroups according to current PH definitions. Isolated post‐capillary PH (IpcPH) and combined post‐ and pre‐capillary PH (CpcPH) were present in 38 and 36 patients, respectively, whereas 31 patients had no PH. Clinical characteristics were comparable between subgroups, but among patients with PH pulmonary vascular resistance was higher (p = 0.029) and pulmonary artery compliance lower (p = 0.003) in patients with CpcPH. During 12 months of PAP‐guided RPM, all PAPs declined in IpcPH and CpcPH subgroups (all p < 0.05), whereas only mean and diastolic PAP decreased in patients without PH (both p < 0.05). Improvements in post‐ versus pre‐implant HFH rates were similar in CpcPH (0.639 events/patient‐year; hazard ratio [HR] 0.37) and IpcPH (0.72 events/patient‐year; HR 0.45) patients. Participants without PH benefited most (0.26 events/patient‐year; HR 0.17, p = 0.04 vs. IpcPH/CpcPH patients). Quality of life and NYHA class improved significantly in all subgroups.ConclusionsOutpatients with NYHA class III symptoms with at least one HFH during 1 year pre‐implant benefitted significantly from PAP‐guided RPM during post‐implant follow‐up irrespective of presence or subtype of PH at baseline.
Advanced Introduction to Scenario Planning by Paul J. H.Schoemaker. Cheltenham, UK & Northampton, MA, USA, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2022, ix + 176 pp. ISBN 9781800376793 (hardback); 9781800376809 (ebook); 9781800376816 (paperback).
Authors: Rowland Nicholas J. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPaul Schoemaker's new book is essential reading in scenario planning. When I was asked by Edward Elgar Publishing to review an early version of the book, I agreed, was outfitted with the book, and, much to my surprise, I opened the book and finished it in one sitting. Admittedly that is what Elgar Advanced Introductions are designed to do: “offer concise and lucid surveys of substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas,” in this case, scenario planning. Schoemaker delivers on the series aim “to pinpoint essential principles of a particular field, and to offer insights that stimulate critical thinking.”
Preparation, physical properties, and evaluation of antioxidant capacity of aqueous grape extract loaded in chitosan‐TPP nanoparticles
Authors: Soleymanfallah Sepideh , Khoshkhoo Zhaleh , Hosseini Seyed Ebrahim , Azizi Mohammad Hossein 
Published: August 2022

AbstractGrape extract is reportedly rich in phenolic compounds that possess strong antioxidant activities. Encapsulation of such extracts in nanoparticles (NPs) is an effective way to preserve various food products. In the present study, grapes were first extracted, and the amount of total phenolic content and different types of phenolic acids was determined. The extracts at different chitosan/extract weight ratios (1:0.25, 1:0.5, 1:0.75, and 1:1) were then encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles (NPs) using the ionic gelation method. The extract‐loaded chitosan nanoparticles were characterized by their physicochemical properties using the dynamic light scattering (DLS) technique, chemical properties using Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X‐ray powder diffraction technique (XRD), the morphological properties using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the antioxidant activity using the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) and loading capacity (LC) were also assessed. Our findings showed that the free radical inhibition effect of NPs significantly increased with an increase in extract concentration. Chitosan NPs presented acceptable encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity (LC), and the encapsulation process enhanced the antioxidant activity of the free grape extracts. At the weight ratio of 1:0.5, the particle size and zeta potential of the NPs were 177.5 ± 2.12 nm and 32.95 ± 0.49 mV, respectively. FTIR and XRD analyses verified the credibility of the encapsulated grape extract in chitosan NPs. These NPs can be an efficient way to increase the shelf‐life of food products.
Elevated preradiotherapy serum lactate dehydrogenase predicts distant metastasis for lymphoepithelial carcinoma of major salivary gland following postoperative radiotherapy
Authors: Yan Wenbin , Liu Yang , Shen Chunying , Yi Junlin , Ou Xiaomin , Hu Chaosu 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundTo evaluate the predicting factors associated with distant metastasis (DM) for lymphoepithelial carcinoma of salivary gland (LECSG) following postoperative radiotherapy (PORT).MethodsWe retrospectively collected 160 eligible patients from two cancer institutions. The DM rate was evaluated using competing risk method.ResultsThe median follow‐up time was 65.6 months. Elevated preradiotherapy serum LDH (ratio >0.5) (p = 0.006) and N classification (N2‐3) (p = 0.001) were independently associated with DM for the LECSG. After the risk stratification, the high‐risk subgroup was defined as the patients presented higher risk score (score >0), whereas 5‐year cumulative incidence of DM in the high‐ and low‐risk group was 30.9% and 6.0%, respectively (p < 0.001). Moreover, a significantly worse overall survival (OS) was observed in the high‐risk patients compared with the low‐risk subgroup (5‐year OS: 83.9% vs. 97.8%, p = 0.006).ConclusionElevated preradiotherapy serum LDH could serve as a predictive factor for DM in the LECSG following PORT.
Comparison of eradication rates of moxifloxacin–rifabutin triple therapy and bismuth quadruple therapy as second‐line regimens in patients with peptic ulcers
Authors: Lee Chang Min , Kim Seong Je , Hah Se In , Kwak Ji Yoon , Choi Jung Woo , Cho Hyun Chin , Ha Chang Yoon , Lee Ok Jae , Jung Woon Tae 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBackgroundBismuth quadruple (BQ) therapy is known to have poor patient compliance and a complex dosing method, and no appropriate third‐line regimen exists if second‐line BQ therapy fails. In Korea, some alternative regimens have shown unsatisfactory eradication rates. Therefore, we investigated the success rates of the second‐line moxifloxacin–rifabutin triple (MRT) regimen and compared it with BQ regimen in subgroup analysis of peptic ulcer patients.Materials and MethodsThis study was a retrospective study of 71 patients who underwent a second‐line MRT for Helicobacter pylori after failing to clarithromycin triple regimen. To compare the eradication rate in gastric ulcer patients, 51 patients in the MRT group and 132 patients in BQ group were included. After age and sex propensity matching, 45 patients were included in each group (the alpha value and power were set at 0.05% and 77%, respectively).ResultsThe eradication rate in the MRT group was 69.0% (49/71) in the intention‐to‐treat (ITT) analysis and 77.8% (49/63) in the per‐protocol (PP) analysis. These were significantly lower than the eradication rate in the BQ group (82.5%, p = 0.019 in the ITT analysis; 89.3%, p = 0.022 in the PP analysis). In subgroup analysis of peptic ulcer patients, the success rate of BQ group was significantly higher than that of MRT group in both ITT and PP populations (81.8% (108/132) vs. 60.8% (31/51) in the ITT populations, p = 0.004; and 90.0% (108/120) vs. 72.1% (31/43) in the PP populations, p = 0.010). Among the 14 patients with MRT therapy failure, 10 were eradicated with BQ as the third‐line regimen. The eradication rate of the third‐line BQ after the second‐line MRT failure was 90.0% (9/10).ConclusionSecond‐line MRT therapy was not as effective as BQ therapy, so it should be considered for limited use only when BQ is not available.
Molecular Identification of Spatially Distinct Anabolic Responses to Mechanical Loading in Murine Cortical Bone
Authors: Chlebek Carolyn , Moore Jacob A , Ross F Patrick , van der Meulen Marjolein C H 
Published: August 2022

ABSTRACT
Osteoporosis affects over 200 million women worldwide, one-third of whom are predicted to suffer from an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. The most promising anabolic drugs involve administration of expensive antibodies. Because mechanical loading stimulates bone formation, our current data, using a mouse model, replicates the anabolic effects of loading in humans and may identify novel pathways amenable to oral treatment. Murine tibial compression produces axially varying deformations along the cortical bone, inducing highest strains at the mid-diaphysis and lowest at the metaphyseal shell. To test the hypothesis that load-induced transcriptomic responses at different axial locations of cortical bone would vary as a function of strain magnitude, we loaded the left tibias of 10-week-old female C57Bl/6 mice in vivo in compression, with contralateral limbs as controls. Animals were euthanized at 1, 3, or 24 hours post-loading or loaded for 1 week (n = 4–5/group). Bone marrow and cancellous bone were removed, cortical bone was segmented into the metaphyseal shell, proximal diaphysis, and mid-diaphysis, and load-induced differential gene expression and enriched biological processes were examined for the three segments. At each time point, the mid-diaphysis (highest strain) had the greatest transcriptomic response. Similarly, biological processes regulating bone formation and turnover increased earlier and to the greatest extent at the mid-diaphysis. Higher strain induced greater levels of osteoblast and osteocyte genes, whereas expression was lower in osteoclasts. Among the top differentially expressed genes at 24-hours post-loading, 17 had known functions in bone biology, of which 12 were present only in osteoblasts, 3 exclusively in osteoclasts, and 2 were present in both cell types. Based on these results, we conclude that murine tibial loading induces spatially unique transcriptomic responses correlating with strain magnitude in cortical bone. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Investigation of glucose electrooxidation mechanism over N‐modified metal‐doped graphene electrode by density functional theory approach
Authors: Düzenli Derya , Onal Isik , Tezsevin Ilker 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this work, various precious and non‐precious metals reported in the literature as the most effective catalysts for glucose electrooxidation reaction were investigated by the density functional theory (DFT) approach in order to reveal the mechanisms taking place over the catalysts in the fuel cell. The use of a single‐atom catalyst model was adopted by insertion of one Au, Cu, Ni, Pd, Pt, and Zn metal atom on the pyridinic N atoms doped graphene surface (NG). β form of d‐glucose in alkaline solution was used to determine the reaction mechanism and intermediates that formed during the reaction. DFT results showed that the desired glucono‐lactone was formed on the Cu‐3NG electrode in a single‐step reaction pathway whereas it was produced via different two‐step pathways on the Au and Pt‐3NG electrodes. Although the interaction of glucose with Ni, Pd, and Zn‐doped surfaces resulted in the deprotonation of the molecule, lactone product formation did not occur on these electrode surfaces. When the calculation results are evaluated in terms of energy content and product formation, it can be concluded that Cu, Pt, and especially Au doped graphene catalysts are effective for direct glucose oxidation in fuel cells reactor.