bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Regulation of total LC3 levels by angiotensin II in vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Mondaca‐Ruff David , Quiroga Clara , Norambuena‐Soto Ignacio , Riquelme Jaime A. , San Martin Alejandra , Bustamante Mario , Lavandero Sergio , Chiong Mario 
Published: February 2022

AbstractHypertension is associated with high circulating angiotensin II (Ang II). We have reported that autophagy regulates Ang II‐induced vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) hypertrophy, but the mechanism mediating this effect is still unknown. Therefore, we studied how Ang II regulates LC3 levels in VSMCs and whether Bag3, a co‐chaperone known to regulate LC3 total levels, may be involved in the effects elicited by Ang II. A7r5 cell line or rat aortic smooth muscle cell (RASMC) primary culture were stimulated with Ang II 100 nM for 24 h and LC3 I, LC3 II and Bag3 protein levels were determined by Western blot. MAP1LC3B mRNA levels were assessed by RT‐qPCR. Ang II increased MAP1LC3B mRNA levels and protein levels of LC3 I, LC3 II and total LC3 (LC3 I + LC3 II). Cycloheximide, but not actinomycin D, abolished LC3 II and total LC3 increase elicited by Ang II in RASMCs. In A7r5 cells, cycloheximide prevented the Ang II‐mediated increase of LC3 I and total LC3, but not LC3 II. Moreover, Ang II increased Bag3 levels, but this increase was not observed upon co‐administration with either losartan 1 μM (AT1R antagonist) or Y‐27632 10 μM (ROCK inhibitor). These results suggest that Ang II may regulate total LC3 content through transcriptional and translational mechanisms. Moreover, Bag3 is increased in response to Ang II by a AT1R/ROCK signalling pathway. These data provide preliminary evidence suggesting that Ang II may stimulate autophagy in VSMCs by increasing total LC3 content and LC3 processing.
Relationship between onset age of type 2 diabetes mellitus and vascular complications based on propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Huang Lingning , Wu Peiwen , Zhang Yongze , Lin Yanxian , Shen Ximei , Zhao Fengying , Yan Sunjie 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAims/IntroductionTo assess the relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus onset age and vascular complications in China.Materials and MethodsA retrospective review of 3,568 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus using a propensity score‐matched (PSM) cohort analysis was carried out in two different age of onset groups (age 40 and 60 years). These groups were then subdivided into two groups, early‐onset diabetes (EOD40 and EOD60; the onset age before 40 and 60 years, respectively) and late‐onset diabetes (LOD40 and LOD60: the onset age after 40 and 60 years, respectively). Macrovascular and microvascular complications were analyzed before and after PSM.ResultsPatients categorized in both the early‐onset disease (EOD) groups had a higher risk of developing macro‐ and microvascular complications before PSM. After PSM, no differences existed between the EOD and late‐onset disease groups in the risk of macrovascular complications. Compared with the late‐onset disease group, the odds ratio of having a microvascular complication of diabetic retinopathy, chronic kidney disease and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the 40‐year‐old EOD group increased to 2.906, 1.967 and 1.672 (P < 0.05), respectively. The odds ratio of diabetic retinopathy and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the 60‐year‐old EOD group was 1.763 and 1.675 (P < 0.05), respectively.ConclusionsThe earlier the onset of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the higher risk of microvascular, but not necessarily macrovascular, complications. It is not too late to prevent diabetes at any age. Pre‐emptive microvascular treatment or preventative measures in EOD patients who do not yet show symptoms, might be beneficial.
A review on octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch‐based Pickering‐emulsion: Instabilities and ingredients interactions
Authors: Nhouchi Zeineb , Watuzola Roxane , Pense‐Lheritier Anne Marie 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPickering emulsions endow attractive features and a wide versatility in both food and nonfood fields. In the last decades, a noticeable interest has emerged toward the use of octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA)‐starch to improve the long‐term stability in such systems. In this review, instabilities were pointed out, where a new kinetic equilibrium was observed in Pickering emulsions assigned to migration and size variations of particles. These features were monitored using rheological measurements to understand microstructure and droplets mobility. The elastic modulus (G′), the viscous modulus (G″), and tan(δ) values were attributed to the transition from solid to fluid and assigned to the instability of the formulation regardless of the type of the system configuration. The novelties in using OSA‐modified starch, were also exposed. The chemical modification of starch decreased creaming for months. Interaction between OSA‐modified starches and some ionic components (potassium, magnesium, and calcium) as well as hydrocolloids and proteins reduced creaming and coalescence due to dense interfacial film. Furthermore, the key parameters (oil fraction, fatty acids composition, oxidative stress oil polarity, and oil viscosity) that govern oil phase in Pickering emulsion, were analyzed. These parameters were found to be positively correlated to the stability of Pickering emulsions.
Evaluation of resting cortisol concentration testing in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs
Authors: Gallego Ana Fernandez , Gow Adam G. , Boag Alisdair M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundResting cortisol concentrations are routinely measured in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs to rule out hypoadrenocorticism based on a concentration >2 μg/dL (>55 nmol/L).Hypothesis/ObjectivesTo assess the cross‐sectional prevalence of hypoadrenocorticism in a group of dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs presented to a referral internal medicine service.AnimalsTwo‐hundred and eighty‐two client‐owned dogs with chronic gastrointestinal signs and with resting cortisol concentration testing performed.MethodsRetrospective review of medical records (final diagnosis, resting cortisol concentration, and adenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH] stimulation test results) of a referral population of dogs between May 2013 and September 2017.ResultsResting cortisol concentration was <2 μg/dL (<55 nmol/L) in 79 patients (28%). Repeated resting cortisol concentration measurements were performed in 28 dogs, and in 8, resting cortisol concentrations remained <2 μg/dL (<55 nmol/L). Post‐ACTH cortisol concentration was <2 μg/dL (<55 nmol/L) in 1 dog, consistent with a diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism and giving a prevalence estimate of hypoadrenocorticism in this population of dogs of 0.3% (95% confidence interval [95CI], 0.03‐1.5%). In 19 dogs with an initial resting cortisol concentration <2 μg/dL (<55 nmol/L), hypoadrenocorticism was excluded based on a repeat resting cortisol concentration >2 μg/dL (>55 nmol/L). Overall, the most common diagnosis was chronic primary inflammatory enteropathy (176/282, 62.4%), followed by extragastrointestinal neoplasia (17/282, 6%), protein‐losing enteropathy, pancreatitis and megaesophagus (10/282, 3.5% each).Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceAlthough dogs with hypoadrenocorticism can present with chronic gastrointestinal signs, it was the final diagnosis in only 1 of 282 dogs presenting to a referral internal medicine service for signs of chronic enteropathy. Repeated resting cortisol concentration may be considered as a test to try and exclude hypoadrenocorticism.
Effects of the addition of oak (Quercus robur L.) and yucca (Yucca schidigera) on the water quality and growth performance of pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cultured intensively in concrete tanks
Authors: Novriadi Romi , Albasri Hatim , Wahyudi Aldy Eka , Fadhilah Rifqi , Ali Afriadi , Trullàs Clara 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe application of mixed natural extracts from oak (Quercus robur L.) and yucca (Yucca Schidigera) (OY) in an intensive culture system for Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) was able to improve the growth performance of shrimp and the quality of its rearing media. Twelve tanks sized 8 × 8 × 1.3 m were stocked with 500 post‐larvae m−2 per tank and treated with 2, 2.5, and 3 Kg Ha−1 of OY. Physical and chemical water parameters, including pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, were measured 4 times day−1 during the trial. Measurements of other chemical parameters, including Ammonia (NH3‐N), Nitrite (NO2‐N), and Nitrate (NO3‐N), were performed the second and sixth day after the addition of OY. The same measurements were conducted in the control treatment every seventh‐day post water exchange during the 90 days of the culture period. The growth performance parameters (biomass, final body weight, feed conversion ratio, survival rate, and percentage weight gain) and nutrient retention rate were evaluated after 90 days of shrimp culture. The utilization of OY significantly increased the final body weight (FBW), percentage weight gain (PWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), survival rate (%), and the final biomass of shrimp. Different dose applications of OY significantly reduced the accumulation of ammonia (NH3‐N), nitrite (NO2‐N), and nitrate (NO3) in the rearing media compared to the control. However, there were no significant differences in protein, fat, ash, dry fiber, and water content among the shrimp treated with different addition levels of OY. This research concludes that the application of OY could maintain a safe level of ammonia and other nitrogen metabolites in the rearing media and enhance the growth performance of shrimp cultured in intensive production systems using commercial concrete tanks.
Ridinilazole: a novel, narrow-spectrum antimicrobial agent targeting Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile
Authors: Collins Deirdre A , Riley Thomas V. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Clostridium (Clostridioides) difficile infection (CDI) remains an urgent threat to patients in health systems worldwide. Recurrent CDI occurs in up to 30% of cases due to sustained dysbiosis of the gut microbiota which normally protects against CDI. Associated costs of initial and recurrent episodes of CDI impose heavy financial burdens on health systems. Vancomycin and metronidazole have been the mainstay of therapy for CDI for many years; however, these agents continue to cause significant disruption to the gut microbiota and thus carry a high risk of recurrence for CDI patients. Treatment regimens are now turning towards novel narrow spectrum antimicrobial agents which target C. difficile while conserving the commensal gut microbiota, thus significantly reducing risk of recurrence. One such agent, fidaxomicin, has been in therapeutic use for several years and is now recommended as a first-line treatment for CDI, as it is superior to vancomycin in reducing risk of recurrence. Another narrow spectrum agent, ridnilazole, was recently developed and is undergoing evaluation of its potential clinical utility. This review aimed to summarize experimental reports of ridinilazole and assess its potential as a first-line agent for treatment of CDI. Reported results from in vitro assessments, and from hamster models of CDI, show potent activity against C. difficile, non-inferiority to vancomycin for clinical cure and non-susceptibility among most gut commensal bacteria. Phase I and II clinical trials have been completed with ridinilazole showing high tolerability and efficacy in treatment of CDI, and superiority over vancomycin in reducing recurrence of CDI within 30 days of treatment completion. Phase III trials are currently underway, the results of which may prove its potential to reduce recurrent CDI and lessen the heavy health and financial burden C. difficile imposes on patients and healthcare systems.
Particular Social Group Trouble: Producing Categories of “Unworthy” Asylum Seekers
Authors: Frank‐Vitale Amelia 
Published: February 2022

AbstractDeveloping ethnographic knowledge is largely about understanding and retaining nuance, complexity, and, even, contradiction. In the asylum courtroom, however, the law looks for certainty, clear percentages of likelihood of harm, and general, essential claims that a given people/country are a particular way. In this essay, I reflect on the ways in which the asylum system, by requiring that individuals be at risk because of their category (particular social group with immutable characteristics), casts other categories of people as inherently violent. I am particularly concerned with this dynamic in terms of gender‐based violence claims, where women's very real fears of domestic abuse in Honduras are frequently argued in such a way that serves to reinforce the idea that Central American men are uniquely violent. This, then, undercuts the asylum claims of young Honduran men who are, at the same time, those most likely to be killed upon deportation.
Multivariate selection mediated by aridity predicts divergence of drought‐resistant traits along natural aridity gradients of an invasive weed
Authors: Carvalho Carter , Davis Rochelle , Connallon Tim , Gleadow Roslyn M. , Moore Joslin L. , Uesugi Akane 
Published: February 2022

Summary

Geographical variation in the environment underpins selection for local adaptation and evolutionary divergence among populations. Because many environmental conditions vary across species' ranges, identifying the specific environmental variables underlying local adaptation is profoundly challenging.

We tested whether natural selection mediated by aridity predicts clinal divergence among invasive populations of capeweed (Arctotheca calendula) that established and spread across southern Australia during the last two centuries.

Using common garden experiments with two environmental treatments (wet and dry) that mimic aridity conditions across capeweed’s invasive range, we estimated clinal divergence and effects of aridity on fitness and multivariate phenotypic selection in populations sampled along aridity gradients in Australia. We show that: (1) capeweed populations have relatively high fitness in aridity environments similar to their sampling locations; (2) the magnitude and direction of selection strongly differs between wet and dry treatments, with drought stress increasing the strength of selection; and (3) differences in directional selection between wet and dry treatments predict patterns of clinal divergence across the aridity gradient, particularly for traits affecting biomass, flowering phenology and putative antioxidant expression.

Our results suggest that aridity‐mediated selection contributes to trait diversification among invasive capeweed populations, possibly facilitating the expansion of capeweed across southern Australia.
Disturbance and indirect effects of climate warming support a plant invader in mountains
Authors: Haider Sylvia , Palm Sebastian , Bruelheide Helge , de Villemereuil Pierre , Menzel Annette , Lachmuth Susanne 
Published: February 2022

Climate warming and increased disturbance (resulting from intensified land use) are expected to enhance the invasibility of plant communities and the performance of exotic species also at high elevations, and thus pose additional threats to mountain ecosystems. The invasion success of introduced genotypes will also depend on their degree of pre‐adaption to high elevation climatic conditions, which may vary intra‐specifically across source populations. For populations currently spreading in the lowlands, climate warming might reduce the climatic distance to high‐elevation sites and thus remove a barrier to upwards spread.Here, we investigated the various facets of mountain invasions in a single, integrative experimental study. We applied a community transplant approach between high‐ and low‐elevation sites in the European Alps to address effects of climate warming and disturbance through land use on community invasibility and the performance of the exotic species Senecio inaequidens, a potential future plant invader in the Alps. Additionally, the transplant sites served as common gardens to test the influence of climatic pre‐adaptation to current (high site) and future (low site) climatic conditions on the performance of S. inaequidens in the transplanted communities. The 16 invasive central and western European S. inaequidens source population locations covered a wide geographic range, and thus a wide amplitude of climatic distances and presumed pre‐adaptation to our gardens.Our results attest to a strong effect of disturbance, which increased community invasibility, and promoted the performance of the exotic species. Contrary to our expectation, experimentally induced climate warming did not increase community invasibility. However, the performance of the S. inaequidens populations was positively related to their pre‐adaptation to the climatic conditions of our common gardens. Climate warming might thus promote the invasion of exotic species by reducing the climatic distance between mountain ranges and locations of potential source populations.
A nexus between renewable energy, FDI, oil prices, oil rent and CO2 emission: panel data evidence from G7 economies
Authors: Royal Saransh , Singh Kamaljit , Chander Ramesh 
Published: February 2022

AbstractVolatile energy prices, supply chain vulnerability and ecological implications of depleting fossil fuels have obligated the nations to swap carbon energy resources with sustainable and consumption energy choices. The study aims to investigate the sustaining connection of renewable energy consumption with trade openness, oil rent (OR), oil prices (OP) and carbon dioxide emissions of the G7 nations over the period 1971–2019. Using FMOLS and DOLS approach to panel data for analysing the long‐run elasticity, and SUR for estimating the short‐run elasticities. The analysis outcomes suggested that in the long run, a rise in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) incursion and OP and OR are found to be major drivers of renewable energy consumption. The long‐term elasticity was estimated from a panel co‐integrated FMOLS and DOLS model are mostly alike and present an encouraging association among different variables. Surprisingly, the average number of years to return to equilibria turned out to be 16 years, which is precisely in line with the voluntary commitment by G7 for overall net‐zero electricity emission by 2035. The findings reported in the study suggest the oil‐producing countries should be compensated to diversify energy production. Higher OR is desired to further strengthen the renewable energy generation and consumption as implied by the findings reported. FDI may also further be welcomed in greener know‐hows for sustainable green energy choices.
Mechanisms of xylem hydraulic recovery after drought in Eucalyptus saligna
Authors: Gauthey Alice , Peters Jennifer M. R. , Lòpez Rosana , Carins‐Murphy Madeline R. , Rodriguez‐Dominguez Celia M. , Tissue David T. , Medlyn Belinda E. , Brodribb Tim J. , Choat Brendan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe mechanisms by which woody plants recover xylem hydraulic capacity after drought stress are not well understood, particularly with regard to the role of embolism refilling. We evaluated the recovery of xylem hydraulic capacity in young Eucalyptus saligna plants exposed to cycles of drought stress and rewatering. Plants were exposed to moderate and severe drought stress treatments, with recovery monitored at time intervals from 24 h to 6 months after rewatering. The percentage loss of xylem vessels due to embolism (PLV) was quantified at each time point using microcomputed tomography with stem water potential (Ψx) and canopy transpiration (Ec) measured before scans. Plants exposed to severe drought stress suffered high levels of embolism (47.38% ± 10.97% PLV) and almost complete canopy loss. No evidence of embolism refilling was observed at 24 h, 1 week, or 3 weeks after rewatering despite rapid recovery in Ψx. Recovery of hydraulic capacity was achieved over a 6‐month period by growth of new xylem tissue, with canopy leaf area and Ec recovering over the same period. These findings indicate that E. saligna recovers slowly from severe drought stress, with potential for embolism to persist in the xylem for many months after rainfall events.
Cutaneous mastocytosis in a child with a de novo GNB1 mutation
Authors: Lattanzio Katherine , Larijani Mary , Treat James R. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn the last few years, de novo mutations in the GNB1 gene have been found to cause a neurodevelopmental disorder typically characterized by global developmental delay and hypotonia. Only 4 cases of maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis in children with GNB1 mutations have been reported to date. Here, we describe another case of the condition with concomitant cutaneous mastocytosis.
Seasonal variation of leaf thickness: An overlooked component of functional trait variability
Authors: Schmitt S. , Trueba S. , Coste S. , Ducouret É. , Tysklind N. , Heuertz M. , Bonal D. , Burban B. , Hérault B. , Derroire G. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

The dry and wet seasons in the Neotropics have strong effects on soil water and nutrient availability, as well as on forest dynamics. Despite these major effects on forest ecology, little is known on how leaf traits vary throughout the seasons in tropical rainforest trees.

Here, we investigated the influence of seasonal variations in climate and soil characteristics on leaf trait variation in two tropical tree species. We measured two leaf traits, thickness and water mass per area, in 401 individuals of two species of Symphonia (Clusiaceae) in the Paracou research station in French Guiana tropical lowland rainforest.

We found a significant effect of seasonal variation on these two leaf traits. Soil relative extractable water was a strong environmental predictor of leaf trait variation in response to seasonal variation. Reduced soil water availability during the dry season was associated with increased leaf thickness and water mass per area, possibly as a result of stomatal closure.

Our findings advocate the need to account for environmental seasonality when studying leaf traits in seasonal ecosystems such as tropical forests.
Mini‐Mental State Examination predicts mortality in patients on chronic hemodialysis
Authors: Bossola Maurizio , Pepe Gilda , Antocicco Manuela , di Stasio Enrico 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundNo available and easy to administer cognitive test has been evaluated for the prediction of mortality in prevalent patients on chronic hemodialysis. The aim of the present study was to determine if the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) was predictor of mortality in patients on chronic hemodialysis.MethodsOne hundred twenty‐seven prevalent patients on chronic hemodialysis were studied. All patients underwent assessment of cognitive function through the MMSE. The MMSE was administered during a midweek hemodialysis session, avoiding the beginning and the end of each treatment to minimize the effects of fluctuations in uremic syndrome or blood pressure in accordance with a previous study. An MMSE score ≤23 was used as indicative of cognitive impairment. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were recorded for each patient.ResultsMean (SD) MMSE was 23.2 ± 4.1. Median MMSE was 24 (min–max: 2–30). MMSE was ≤23 in 72 patients and >23 in 55. With data updated in March 2021, after a mean follow‐up of 58.8 ± 41 months (range: 2–156 months), 75 patients died, and 17 were transplanted. None was lost to follow‐up or was transferred to another unit. Dead participants, as compared with alive ones, were significantly older, had a higher Charlson Index score, had lower Activities daily living and Instrumental activities daily living, and had a lower MMSE score and lower serum albumin levels. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that survival was significantly lower in patients with MMSE ≤23 than in those with MMSE >23 (log‐rank χ2: 8.825, p = 0.003). According to Cox regression analysis, mortality was associated with age and inversely associated with MMSE.ConclusionWe show that the MMSE predicts mortality in prevalent patients on chronic hemodialysis.