bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of diet on melanin pigmentation in animals
Authors: Britton Sarah , Davidowitz Goggy 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Melanin, including both eu‐ and pheomelanin forms, is the most common pigment type in animals and plays numerous adaptive roles. However, the effect of diet on melanin pigmentation is not well reviewed or synthesized. Understanding how diet influences melanin may lead to valuable insights such as explaining intraspecific variation or explaining when melanin‐based traits are plastic or condition dependent versus when they are prioritized or canalized.

In order to assess the state of the literature and the current understanding of the effects of diet on melanin pigmentation we conducted a systematic literature search. We use the search results to highlight common patterns across animals. In particular we focus on three questions: Which dietary components can influence melanin? Which aspects of melanin‐based traits are influenced by diet? What factors can mediate the influence of diet on melanin?

The effect of diet on melanin is complex and multifaceted. Diet itself can vary in a number of ways including diet quantity, protein content, fatty acid content and amount of metals and other micronutrients. We discuss the mechanisms by which these components influence melanin pigmentation.

Diet can influence the size, darkness and colour of melanin‐based traits. Often, diet influences one of these aspects but not another, which may reflect the processes of melanin synthesis and distribution.

Factors that mediate whether melanin pigmentation responds to dietary variation include the type of trait, life stage, sex and environmental stress. Methodology (e.g. degree of manipulation relative to natural conditions) can also influence results. These nuances should be considered when developing hypotheses about the effects of diet on melanin pigmentation.

We conclude with important areas for future research, including the proximate mechanisms connecting diet and melanin, how diet affects internal melanin, how diet mediates costs of melanin pigmentation and how diet affects the evolution of melanin‐based traits. Overall, diet has important and complex effects on melanin and likely plays an important role in the ecology and evolution of melanin pigmentation.

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The cAMP‐PKA signalling pathway regulates hyphal growth, conidiation, trap morphogenesis, stress tolerance, and autophagy in Arthrobotrys oligospora
Authors: Zhu Mei‐Chen , Zhao Na , Liu Yan‐Kun , Li Xue‐Mei , Zhen Zheng‐Yi , Zheng Ya‐Qing , Zhang Ke‐Qin , Yang Jin‐Kui 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe cyclic adenosine monophosphate‐protein kinase A (cAMP‐PKA) signalling pathway is evolutionarily conserved in eukaryotes and plays a crucial role in defending against external environmental challenges, which can modulate the cellular response to external stimuli. Arthrobotrys oligospora is a typical nematode‐trapping fungus that specializes in adhesive networks to kill nematodes. To elucidate the biological roles of the cAMP‐PKA signalling pathway, we characterized the orthologous adenylate cyclase AoAcy, a regulatory subunit (AoPkaR), and two catalytic subunits (AoPkaC1 and AoPkaC2) of PKA in A. oligospora by gene disruption, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses. Deletion of Aoacy significantly reduced the levels of cAMP and arthrobotrisins. Results revealed that Aoacy, AopkaR, and AopkaC1 were involved in hyphal growth, trap morphogenesis, sporulation, stress resistance, and autophagy. In addition, Aoacy and AopkaC1 were involved in the regulation of mitochondrial morphology, thereby affecting energy metabolism, whereas AopkaC2 affected sporulation, nuclei, and autophagy. Multi‐omics results showed that the cAMP‐PKA signalling pathway regulated multiple metabolic and cellular processes. Collectively, these data highlight the indispensable role of cAMP‐PKA signalling pathway in the growth, development, and pathogenicity of A. oligospora, and provide insights into the regulatory mechanisms of signalling pathways in sporulation, trap formation, and lifestyle transition.
The role of social networks in the adoption of competing new technologies in Ghana
Authors: Abdul Mumin Yazeed , Abdulai Awudu , Goetz Renan 
Published: October 2022

AbstractWe use a detailed dataset to examine the impact of social networks, conditional on contextual and individual confounders, on farmers' adoption of competing improved soybean varieties in Ghana. Based on the contagion conceptual framework, we employ a spatial autoregressive multinomial probit model to examine how neighbours' varietal and cross‐varietal adoption of improved varieties affect a farmer's adoption decision in the social network. Our results show that adoption decisions in a network tend to converge on one variety, such that beyond a threshold of adopting neighbours of that improved variety, the cross‐varietal effects tend to lose significance in the network. If the shares of adopting neighbours of the improved varieties are equal, we find evidence that farmers are not more likely to adopt either improved variety compared to farmers with no neighbours who have adopted the improved varieties. The findings demonstrate the significance of neighbourhood effects in the adoption of competing technologies.
Evolution of polyphenolic, anthocyanin, and organic acid components during coinoculation fermentation (simultaneous inoculation of LAB and yeast) and sequential fermentation of blueberry wine
Authors: Zhang Jigang , Fang Ling , Huang Xudong , Ding Zhien , Wang Chuyan 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThis research aims to investigate the effects of both sequential fermentation and coinoculation fermentation with yeast and lactic acid bacterial (LAB) on the dynamics of changes in basic quality parameters and organic acid, anthocyanin, and phenolic components as well as antioxidant activity during the fermentation of blueberry. The coculture‐fermented blueberry wine showed significant decreases in total phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanins,by 23.9%, 15.9%, and 13.7%, respectively, as compared with those before fermentation Fermentation changed the contents of organic acids in each group, with a more than 7‐fold increase in lactic acid contents as well as a more than 4‐fold reduction in quinic acid and malic acid contents. The content of all investigated anthocyanins first increased and then decreased. Moreover, different fermentation strategies exerted a profound influence on the dynamic change in phenolic components during fermentation; specifically, most of the phenolic acids showed a trend of increasing first, then decreasing, and finally increasing. Gallic acid, p‐coumaric acid, quercetin, and myricetin were increased by 116.9%, 130.1%, 127.2% and 177.6%, respectively, while syringic acid, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, and vanillic acid were decreased by 49.5%, 68.5%, and 37.1% in sequentially fermented blueberry wine. Coinoculation fermentation with yeast and LAB produces faster dynamic variations and higher organic acid, anthocyanin, and phenolic profiles than sequential inoculation fermentation.Practical ApplicationIn this work, brewing technology of sequential fermentation and coinoculation fermentation with yeast and LAB (Lactobacillus plantarum SGJ‐24 and Oenococcus oeni SD‐2a) was adopted to ferment blueberry wine. This is an innovative technology of fruit wine brewing technology to produce wine products. Compared with traditional sequential brewing, simultaneous inoculation brewing can significantly accelerate the brewing process of fruit wine and slightly improve the quality of fruit wine in terms of active ingredients.
Improving the performance of bioelectrochemical sulfate removal by applying flow mode
Authors: Dai Shixiang , Harnisch Falk , Bin‐Hudari Mohammad Sufian , Keller Nina Sophie , Vogt Carsten , Korth Benjamin 
Published: October 2022

AbstractTreatment of wastewater contaminated with high sulfate concentrations is an environmental imperative lacking a sustainable and environmental friendly technological solution. Microbial electrochemical technology (MET) represents a promising approach for sulfate reduction. In MET, a cathode is introduced as inexhaustible electron source for promoting sulfate reduction via direct or mediated electron transfer. So far, this is mainly studied in batch mode representing straightforward and easy‐to‐use systems, but their practical implementation seems unlikely, as treatment capacities are limited. Here, we investigated bioelectrochemical sulfate reduction in flow mode and achieved removal efficiencies (Esulfate, 89.2 ± 0.4%) being comparable to batch experiments, while sulfate removal rates (Rsulfate, 3.1 ± 0.2 mmol L−1) and Coulombic efficiencies (CE, 85.2 ± 17.7%) were significantly increased. Different temperatures and hydraulic retention times (HRT) were applied and the best performance was achieved at HRT 3.5 days and 30°C. Microbial community analysis based on amplicon sequencing demonstrated that sulfate reduction was mainly performed by prokaryotes belonging to the genera Desulfomicrobium, Desulfovibrio, and Desulfococcus, indicating that hydrogenotrophic and heterotrophic sulfate reduction occurred by utilizing cathodically produced H2 or acetate produced by homoacetogens (Acetobacterium). The advantage of flow operation for bioelectrochemical sulfate reduction is likely based on higher absolute biomass, stable pH, and selection of sulfate reducers with a higher sulfide tolerance, and improved ratio between sulfate‐reducing prokaryotes and homoacetogens.
Catching the tide: Reversing legal trends to find collective and long‐term solutions that value the natural world
Authors: Reid Colin T. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractThe social and economic trends that have contributed to the current climate and biodiversity crises have been created by and reflected in the law in many ways. Looking primarily at experience in the UK, it can be seen that much that is deeply embedded in the law needs to change to enable a more sustainable future. In particular, we have seen a move to greater individualism when we need to adopt more collective solutions, we have seen an emphasis on short‐term priorities when we need to take a longer‐term view and we have seen a focus on economic and commercial value when we need to value more highly the natural world. The past trends in the evolution of the law must be reversed, requiring consideration across many legal areas. Examples of past evolution are identified to show how the law encourages unsustainable ways of working and obstructs, or fails to enable and incentivise, improvement, before more recent positive developments are discussed to illustrate how legal structures can be recast to support a new way of living based on collective and long‐term approaches and a partnership with nature. Ensuring a sustainable future requires a break from many inherited legal structures.
Ultrasonographic measurement of the adrenal gland‐to‐abdominal aortic ratio as a valuable method of estimating normal adrenal size in rabbits
Authors: Ghaffari Tina , Mirshahi Ali , Sarchahi Ali Asghar , Azizzadeh Mohammad 
Published: October 2022

AbstractA wide range has been reported for the ultrasonographic measurements of the normal adrenal gland in rabbits. Therefore, having sufficient information about the normal measurements of the adrenal gland and their relationship with indicators such as weight, sex and the diameter of the internal abdominal aorta will be of great help in diagnosing diseases of the adrenal gland. In the present study, 21 healthy adult intact rabbits were selected. The abdominal cavity of the animals was examined using ultrasound; adrenal gland parameters such as length, width, height, circumference and area on the right and left sides were measured in both sagittal and transverse planes. Additionally, the diameter of the abdominal aorta in the sagittal plane was imaged. After statistical analysis, the parameters of the adrenal glands on the right and left showed a positive significant correlation with the weight and the diameter of the abdominal aorta, although no significant correlation was found between these parameters and sex. The ratio of adrenal gland parameters to abdominal aortic diameter was calculated and the statistical analysis of the values showed that, except for the ratio of left adrenal area to aortic diameter, the other ratio of adrenal gland parameters to abdominal aortic diameter was not significantly related to weight. Therefore, these ratios can be used as suitable indicators for assessing the change in size of the adrenal gland of rabbits of different sizes. Knowing the relationship between normal adrenal measurements and the indices such as weight, sex and diameter of the abdominal aorta can help clinicians and researchers evaluate the changes in the size of the adrenal gland.
COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant women and the reasons for hesitancy: A multi‐centre cross‐sectional survey
Authors: Rikard‐Bell Monica , Elhindi James , Lam Justin , Seeho Sean , Black Kirsten , Melov Sarah , Jenkins Greg , McNab Justin , Wiley Kerrie , Pasupathy Dharmintra 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundOn 9 June 2021, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists recommended that pregnant women receive Comirnaty (Pfizer) messenger RNA vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.AimThis multi‐centre study aimed to assess vaccine acceptance, reasons for hesitancy and determine if differences exist between health districts, to inform future policy strategies for COVID‐19 vaccination in pregnancy.Materials and methodsAn online survey (developed based on the World Health Organization Behavioural and Social Drivers survey and modified for the pregnant population) was administered to a sample population of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at two metropolitan hospitals (Westmead and Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH)) in New South Wales between 15 September 2021 and 22 October 2021.ResultsThere were 287 pregnant women surveyed (Westmead 198 (69%), RNSH 66 (23%), no site 23 (8%)). There was a significantly lower Socio‐Economic Indexes for Areas score (5.66 vs 9.45, P = 0.001), fewer women born in Australia (37% vs 53%, P = 0.02) and higher number of children (0.77 vs 0.41, P = 0.01) among Westmead respondents. There was lower vaccination uptake (68% vs 86%, P = 0.01) and willingness to receive vaccine (68% vs 88% P = 0.01) at Westmead compared to RNSH. There was an increased proportion of respondents who were concerned that the vaccine could cause harm to the unborn baby at Westmead (38% vs 11%, P = 0.01).ConclusionsAlong with healthcare provider recommendation for vaccination in pregnancy, materials should be targeted to specific safety concerns of pregnant women.
Efficacy of intermittent compression devices for thromboembolic prophylaxis in major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Lott Natalie , Robb Felicity , Nolan Erin , Attia John , Reeves Penny , Gani Jon , Smith Stephen 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe benefits of mechanical prophylaxis for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in abdominal and pelvic surgery are uncertain, with different guidelines stating that graduated compression stockings (GCS) and intermittent pneumatic compression devices (IPCDs) can be used either alone or in combination. To review the efficacy of IPCDs in preventing VTE following abdominal and pelvic surgery.MethodsA systematic review was conducted, identifying relevant literature reporting clinical trials conducted in abdominopelvic surgery, comparing the effect of IPCDs alone or in combination with no prophylaxis, GCS and chemical prophylaxis. The review identified studies reported from 1966 to 2022 in Medline, Embase, PubMed and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials.ResultsThirteen RCTs involving 1914 participants were identified. IPCDs were superior to placebo (OR VTE 0.39; 95% CI 0.20–0.76) but not superior to other forms of prophylaxis (OR 0.83; 95% CI 0.30–2.27) or to GCS alone (OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.24–3.36). The addition of IPCDs to GCS compared with GCS alone was beneficial (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.23–0.91) as was the addition of IPCDs to standard perioperative chemoprophylaxis (OR 0.25; 95% CI 0.09–0.74). The overall quality and reliability of trials were low, with high risk of bias.ConclusionsIPCDs are more effective than placebo in reducing VTE rates but are not more effective than other forms of thrombo‐prophylaxis (chemical or mechanical) following abdominal and pelvic surgery. There is poor quality evidence to suggest that they might have a role as additional prophylaxis when combined with GCS and chemical prophylaxis.
The comparison of two different strategies of intravitreal conbercept for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy in Chinese patients results from a 48‐week randomized phase 4 study: STAR study
Authors: Li Xiaoxin , Qu Jinfeng , Su Guanfang , Yu Suqin , Zhang Yongjin , Sadda Srini Vas ,   STAR Study Group
Published: October 2022

AbstractPurposeTo compare a treat‐and‐extend (TAE) strategy with a fixed dosing regimen of intravitreal conbercept (IVC) for the management of treatment‐naïve polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) patients.Methods249 patients with treatment‐naïve PCV were randomized 1:1 to fixed dosing regimen with injections every 12 weeks (3 + Q12W) group or treat‐and‐extend regimen(3 + TAE) group. Patients received 3 monthly intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg conbercept as loading dose in both groups. The 3 + Q12W patients were monitored monthly and received mandated injections every 12 weeks; the 3 + TAE patients were monitored and treated monthly until the resolution of exudative disease activity; the interval between visits was then individualized according to study protocol. Visual and anatomical outcomes were compared between the two groups.ResultsAt 48 weeks, there was no significant difference between the 3 + Q12W group and 3 + TAE group in mean BCVA improvement (p = 0.421), mean changes in central retinal thickness (CRT) (p = 0.818), maximum retinal thickness (MRT) (p = 0.448), pigment epithelial detachment (PED) height (p = 0.221), PED volume (p = 0.076), branching vascular network (BVN) area (p = 0.615), polypoidal lesion number (p = 0.701), polypoidal lesion area (p = 0.424), rates of patients who avoided vision loss of ≥15 ETDRS letters (p = 0.397) or complete polypoidal lesion regression rate (43.8% vs. 41.8%, p = 0.814). The 3 + Q12W group had more decreased retinal haemorrhage area (p = 0.014) and fewer mean numbers of injections comparing with 3 + TAE group (6.6 vs. 9.4, p < 0.001). Mean maximum extension interval between injections after loading injections was 9.6 ± 2.0 weeks for 3 + TAE group, with 27.8% of patients achieving an extension interval of 12 weeks and 61.1% patients 8 weeks or more.ConclusionsBoth 3 + Q12W and 3 + TAE regimens of IVC could result in improvement in visual and anatomical outcomes in PCV patients.
Risk factors and clinical significance of prechoroidal cleft in eyes with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration in Caucasian patients
Authors: Kredi Gili , Iglicki Matias , Gomel Nir , Hilely Assaf , Loewenstein Anat , Habot‐Wilner Zohar , Zur Dinah 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectiveThe objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence, risk factors and clinical significance of prechoroidal cleft (PC) among neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD) patients in a Caucasian population.DesignA retrospective observational cohort study.MethodsA total of 140 patients with naive nAMD were treated with anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections and a follow‐up of ≥24 months. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were graded for the presence of PC, central subfield foveal thickness (CSFT), maximal retinal thickness (MRT), pigment epithelial detachment (PED), presence of intraretinal fluid (IRF), subretinal fluid (SRF) and subretinal hyper‐reflective material (SHRM) at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and anti‐VEGF treatments were recorded.ResultsOut of 140, 21 eyes (15%) developed PC. BCVA improved significantly from 0.68 ± 0.56 to 0.62 ± 0.59 logMAR after 24 months (p = 0.008). The change in BCVA was not related to the presence of cleft (p = 0.208). Multivariate analysis confirmed that higher baseline CSFT (p = 0.011, OR = 1.004, 95%, CI 1.001–1.007) and the presence of multi‐layered PED (p < 0.001, OR = 21.153, 95%, CI 5.591–80.026) were both predictive for development of PC. Eyes with PC received more injections than eyes without PC.ConclusionPrechoroidal cleft was found in 15% of Caucasian nAMD patients treated with anti‐VEGF injections and was related to greater retinal and PED height, as well as presence of multi‐layered PED. Eyes with PC required more anti‐VEGF injections. The presence of PC correlates with disease activity, and intensive anti‐VEGF suppression can preserve vision.
The content, experiences and outcomes of interventions designed to increase early skin‐to‐skin contact in high‐income settings: A mixed‐methods systematic review
Authors: Moran Chloe , Thomson Gill , Moran Victoria , Fallon Victoria 
Published: October 2022

AbstractAimTo explore the content, experiences and outcomes of interventions designed to increase early skin‐to‐skin contact (SSC) in high‐income settings.MethodsA mixed‐methods systematic review was undertaken across six bibliographic databases. References of all included studies were hand‐searched. All papers were quality appraised using a mixed‐method appraisal tool. A narrative synthesis was used to synthesise both quantitative and qualitative findings.ResultsDatabase searches generated 1221 hits, and two studies were identified via hand‐searching. Ten studies were included; most (n = 7) were designed to improve SSC following a caesarean section, and half were of low/poor quality. Outcomes related to SSC prevalence and/or duration (n = 7), breastfeeding prevalence, (n = 4) and six explored mothers' and/or health professionals' experiences of the intervention. While the interventions had ‘some’ impact on the prevalence of SSC, the duration was often limited and not in line with WHO recommendations. Breastfeeding rates (exclusive/any) were found to improve but generally not to a significant extent. Mother and healthcare professionals were positive about the interventions, with barriers to implementation noted. Most interventions targeted healthcare professionals, rather than mothers.ConclusionHigh‐quality interventions that increase SSC in line with WHO recommendations, and that target both health professionals and parents are needed.