bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amelanotic/hypopigmented melanoma in a sibship with oculocutaneous albinism
Authors: Maas Ellie J. , Wallingford Courtney K. , McGuire Jessica J. , Rutjes Chantal , Smit Darren J. , Betz‐Stablein Brigid , Sturm Richard A. , Soyer H. Peter , McInerney‐Leo Aideen M. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractOculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a rare condition characterized by hypopigmentation. A female proband and her sister, both with primary amelanotic/hypopigmented melanoma, underwent three‐dimensional total‐body photography and dermoscopy. Both sisters had exome sequencing along with their brother, who had OCA but no history of melanoma. Imaging analysis was consistent with OCA in terms of individual typology angle scores, degree of sun damage, and high naevus counts. Exome data filtered for variants in known OCA and melanoma/naevi susceptibility genes (n = 98) found all siblings were compound heterozygous for TYR mutations (Arg402Ter and Val275Phe), previously reported as causative OCA variants. A rare missense variant in PARP1 (p.Pro377Ser) was solely present in the melanoma‐unaffected brother, which is noteworthy as this was previously reported as potentially protective in a familial melanoma pedigree positive for CDKN2A mutations. Evaluation and confirmation of functional impact in larger cohorts could personalize melanoma screening in OCA.
Survival of the fattest: How body fat and migration influence survival in highly seasonal environments
Authors: Denryter Kristin , Conner Mary M. , Stephenson Thomas R. , German David W. , Monteith Kevin L. 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Energy stores and migration are important adaptations for animals in seasonal environments, but their roles may vary relative to an animal's endogenous and exogenous environment. In partially migratory populations, migrants and residents experience different seasonal environments; thus, the influence of energy stores on survival may differ relative to migratory tactic, with potential consequences to survival and fitness.

Using data from Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae; hereafter, Sierra bighorn), we tested the hypothesis that body fat (energy stores) buffers animals against their environment, but that buffering capacity differs across environments experienced by high‐elevation residents (using a single range year‐round), traditional migrants (making 1 round‐trip movement between high‐ and low‐elevation ranges during winter) and vacillating migrants (making ≥2 round trips between high‐ and low‐elevation ranges during winter). We predicted that: for animals with high levels of body fat, survival would be high regardless of migratory tactic; residents would require larger stores of body fat to survive than migrants; energy stores would be least influential to survival for vacillating migrants.

High levels of body fat in autumn (≥14% for females and ≥19% for males) largely buffered animals against harsh environments (survival >0.90) regardless of migratory tactic. At lower levels of body fat, traditional migrants had higher survival than residents. Vacillating migrants exhibited nearly 100% survival with no detectable effect of body fat on survival.

Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that body fat buffers animals against harsh environments but that the buffering capacity differed relative to the environment and highly flexible behaviours (i.e. vacillating migration) can allow animals to decouple survival from body fat.

Our work reveals that synergies between physiological and behavioural adaptations of animals in highly seasonal environments carry potential fitness consequences for individuals and demographic consequences for populations. Interactions among these adaptations are key to understanding nutritional prerequisites for persistence in variable environments.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Flower strips and remnant semi‐natural vegetation have different impacts on pollination and productivity of sunflower crops
Authors: Mota Lucie , Hevia Violeta , Rad Carlos , Alves Joana , Silva António , González José A. , Ortega‐Marcos Jorge , Aguado Oscar , Alcorlo Paloma , Azcárate Francisco M. , Chapinal Libertad , López César A. , Loureiro João , Marks Evan A. N. , Siopa Catarina , Sousa José Paulo , Castro Sílvia 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

Intensification of agricultural landscapes to fulfil increased global food demands has dramatically impacted biodiversity and ecosystem services. Several pollinator groups, which are vital for the maintenance of pollinator‐dependent crops, have been severely affected by this intensification process. Management tools, such as the implementation of agri‐environmental schemes, have been widely proposed to improve pollinator's communities and pollination services, although the effectiveness of wildflower strips in comparison to existing natural or semi‐natural habitats and the impact on yield has not been fully demonstrated.

Here, we aimed to assess the effect of flower strips implementation near sunflower fields in two intensive agricultural regions and to quantify their impact on visitation rates and sunflower productivity. Data were obtained in two regions in Spain (Burgos and Cuenca) in sunflower fields with associated semi‐natural vegetation (SNVs), with implemented wildflower strips (WFSs) and without vegetation structures (NonVs). Visitation rates were monitored over 2 years by direct observations, and both sunflower seed production and weight were assessed in 52 fields per year.

Our results revealed regional and inter‐annual variation in visitation rates, likely driven by structural differences in the landscapes studied. In Cuenca, characterized by more heterogeneous and floral resources‐richer landscapes, the effects of WFSs were significant in the second year of implementation, with higher visitation rates and productivity values in fields with implemented wildflower strips compared to those without. In contrast, in Burgos, no consistent effects among field treatments between years were observed.

Synthesis and applications. The implementation of flower strips or maintenance of remnant semi‐natural habitats adjacent to sunflower fields showed context‐dependent effects on pollinator visitation rates and crop yield. In highly simplified agroecosystems, these interventions may be insufficient or may need longer times to produce significant effects. Yet, in regions where natural and semi‐natural patches were already present, the implementation of flower strips was a successful strategy to promote pollinators and sunflower productivity.
The effects of natural enemies on herb diversity in a temperate forest depend on species traits and neighbouring tree composition
Authors: Jia Shihong , Wang Xugao , Hao Zhanqing , Bagchi Robert 
Published: July 2022

Abstract

There is mounting evidence that top‐down control by natural enemies helps maintain plant diversity in natural ecosystems. Previous work has concentrated on either forest trees or grassland herbs. Our knowledge of how natural enemies affect herb diversity in forests is limited.

We used fungicides and insecticide to experimentally examine the effects of fungi and insects on herb abundance and diversity at the community‐wide scale and within groups of species with certain traits. We also assessed how the effects of fungi and insects on herb assemblages were modified by neighbouring tree diversity and composition in an old‐growth temperate forest.

We found that fungicides increased overall herb abundance by 7% while decreasing herb diversity by 5%. This effect of fungicides on both herb abundance and diversity weakened with the increase of neighbouring tree diversity. Insecticide did not affect either herb abundance or diversity noticeably, except in areas dominated by deciduous trees where insecticide application reduced herb diversity.

Fungicides and insecticide decreased the diversity of relatively less defended species (i.e. thin‐leaved and non‐clonal) but had no effect on the diversity of herbs with stronger defensive traits (i.e. thick‐leaved and clonal). Fungicides increased the abundance of non‐mycorrhizal (NM) species but not arbuscular‐mycorrhizal (AM) species, although the effect of fungicides on herb diversity was unrelated to species' mycorrhizal association. Insecticide had stronger effects on the abundance and diversity of NM species than AM species.

Synthesis. We conclude that fungi and insect herbivores are critical to regulating herb abundance and diversity in this temperate forest, with their effects dependent on species' traits and neighbouring tree diversity and composition. Our results highlight the importance of top‐down control of understory herb communities by natural enemies in temperate forests, advancing our understanding of the processes shaping plant diversity in natural ecosystems.
Forensic cardiac device analysis at the Los Angeles County Department of the Coroner: A 20‐year experience
Authors: Bernardes‐Souza Breno , Tiecher Ricardo D. , Do Duc H. , Saint‐Martin Pauline , Sathyavagiswaran Lakshmanan , Ukpo Odey C. , Rogers Christopher B. , Boyle Noel G. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractCardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) store information continuously; however, the log of these devices is rarely analyzed in forensic practice. We retrospectively reviewed all cases referred for CIED interrogation by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner‐Coroner between 2001 and 2020. According to the Department's practice, CIED interrogation may be requested for decedents in which details or cause of death are not clear from autopsy and clinical history. The CIED analysis was considered informative for the coroner's investigation either if it detected an arrhythmia or malfunction likely related to decedent's terminal event or if it was essential to determine time of death or identity of decedent. A total of 57 CIEDs were evaluated during the 20‐year period. In almost half of cases (26/57: 45.6%), device analysis was informative for coroner's investigation. Arrhythmias likely related to terminal event were commonly detected (21/57: 36.8%). Device malfunction was identified as the likely cause of death in almost 10% of decedents (5/57: 8.8%), including three cases of battery depletion (3/57: 5.3%), one case of misclassification of ventricular tachycardia as supraventricular tachycardia with failure to deliver therapy (1/57: 1.7%), and one case of lead failure due to a broken pacing wire (1/57: 1.7%). Not infrequently, CIED interrogation was essential for determination of time of death (9/57: 15.8%), and there was one case (1/57: 1.7%) in which interrogation was essential for identifying the decedent. Our study shows that postmortem CIED interrogation can provide unique information regarding mechanism and time of death, and decedent's identity.
Algeria and China: Shifts in political and military relations
Authors: Zoubir Yahia H. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThis article studies China's political and military relations with Algeria, a North African middle power. It tries to do through Role Theory, which has been enriched by incorporating the notion of hedging. The National Role Conception provides a good framework, for it shows that the overlapping roles of Algeria and China have helped consolidate their ties. Both China and Algeria have expectations from one another; the article demonstrates that though each has fulfilled the other's expectations, China has not fully done so regarding the conflict in Western Sahara without however resulting in distrust or tensions between the two. On the contrary, in view of the reconfiguration taking place in the international system, as well as in the immediate environment, the article advances the proposition that Algeria, historically a staunch nonaligned nation, has recently hedged China to defend against mounting threats. Algeria hedges China as ‘geopolitical insurance policy’. Furthermore, Algeria participated at the 14th BRICS Summit in June 2022; its eventual membership will consolidate Sino‐Algerian relations and will enable both countries to continue playing their self‐attributed roles.
Comparison of different neoadjuvant treatments for resectable locoregional esophageal cancer: A systematic review and network meta‐analysis
Authors: Bao Yongxing , Ma Zeliang , Yuan Meng , Wang Yang , Men Yu , Hui Zhouguang 
Published: July 2022

AbstractPurposeThe best pattern of neoadjuvant therapy for resectable locoregional esophageal cancer has not been determined. Our study evaluated the efficacy and postoperative events of different treatments using the Bayesian network meta‐analysis.MethodsWe systematically tracked randomized clinical trials from the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. The following treatments were included: neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery (NCRT + S), neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (NCT + S), neoadjuvant radiotherapy followed by surgery (NRT + S), and surgery alone (S). The Revised Cochrane risk‐of‐bias tools were used to assess the quality of included trials. Overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival or disease‐free survival (PFS/DFS) were assessed through hazard ratios (HR). Locoregional recurrence, distant metastasis, postoperative mortality, and postoperative morbidity were assessed through odds ratios (OR). These outcomes were compared between different treatments through Bayesian network meta‐analysis.ResultsTwenty trials with 4384 patients were included. Compared with S, only NCRT + S could significantly improve OS for patients with esophageal cancer (HR = 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.68–0.88). NCRT + S and NCT + S significantly improved PFS/DFS compared with S (NCRT + S vs. S, HR = 0.72, 95% CI 0.63–0.81; NCT + S vs. S, HR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.69–0.97). NCRT + S significantly reduced both locoregional recurrence (OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.51–0.88) and distant metastasis (OR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.45–0.90) compared with S. There were no differences in postoperative morbidity between the four treatments. However, NCRT + S also increased postoperative mortality compared with S (OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.09–2.82) and NCT + S (OR = 1.96, 95% CI 1.11–3.51).ConclusionNCRT + S is the most efficient neoadjuvant treatment for resectable locoregional esophageal cancer. However, NCRT + S increases the risk of postoperative mortality but not morbidity.
Morphological importance of coronary ostia in equine
Authors: Pereira Vitor P. , Seyfert Carlos E. , Santos João M. L. , de Morais‐Pinto Luciano 
Published: July 2022

AbstractThe position of the coronary ostia was investigated in 70 segments of the aorta from young adult crossbred horses. After fixation with a 4% buffered aqueous formaldehyde solution and cautious dissection of the aortic bulb, the morphometric relationships between the coronary ostium and the aortic valvar elements were digitally analysed with the support of Image‐Pro Plus® software. In horses, the left coronary ostium was near to the right valvular commissure in all cases (100%) analysed in this study. The left coronary ostium was at the level of the intercommissural line in 57.1% and below it in 42.9%. The right coronary ostium was near to the left valvular commissure in 58.6% (2.14 ± 0.32 cm) and close to the right valvular commissure in 41.4% (2.27 ± 0.40 cm). Concerning the intercommissural line, the right coronary ostia was at its level in 24.3% and below it in 75.7%. Accessory coronary ostia were observed in 8.6% of the specimens. In view of the results, it was possible to assume that the positions of the coronary ostia in equines tend towards a standard morphological disposition. Thus, perfusion of the left coronary artery occurs partly more frequently in ventricular systole and complete perfusion occurs less frequently in ventricular diastole. For the right coronary artery, perfusion is mostly complete in diastole and partially in ventricular systole.
Dramatic effects but fast adaptation: Changes in life satisfaction and different facets of affective well‐being around the death of a partner and death of a child
Authors: Asselmann Eva , Specht Jule 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAlthough everyone would agree that bereavement is extremely stressful, surprisingly little is known about changes in different facets of affective well‐being in the years surrounding the death of a loved one. On the basis of the Socio‐Economic Panel Study, we examined changes in cognitive well‐being (life satisfaction) and different facets of affective well‐being (happiness, sadness, anxiety, and anger) in the years around the death of a partner (N = 989) and child (N = 276). Data on the death of a partner and child as well as cognitive and affective well‐being were assessed yearly since 2007. Multilevel analyses revealed that both events were associated with very large well‐being impairments (>1 SD) that were most pronounced for sadness, happiness, and life satisfaction in the first year of bereavement. Afterwards, bereaved individuals managed to recover impressively well: Levels of life satisfaction, happiness, and sadness were on average similar 5 years after losing a partner or child compared with 5 years before the respective loss. Our findings suggest (a) that many individuals tend to be capable to even cope with highly stressful loss experiences and (b) that Set‐Point Theory not only applies to life satisfaction but also different facets of affective well‐being around the death of a loved one.
A drug‐disease model for predicting survival in an Ebola outbreak
Authors: Toroghi Masood Khaksar , Al‐Huniti Nidal , Davis John D. , DiCioccio A. Thomas , Rippley Ronda , Baum Alina , Kyratsous Christos A. , Sivapalasingam Sumathi , Kantrowitz Joel , Kamal Mohamed A. 
Published: July 2022

AbstractREGN‐EB3 (Inmazeb) is a cocktail of three human monoclonal antibodies approved for treatment of Ebola infection. This paper describes development of a mathematical model linking REGN‐EB3’s inhibition of Ebola virus to survival in a non‐human primate (NHP) model, and translational scaling to predict survival in humans. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data from single‐ and multiple‐dose REGN‐EB3 studies in infected rhesus macaques were incorporated. Using discrete indirect response models, the antiviral mechanism of action was used as a forcing function to drive the reversal of key Ebola disease hallmarks over time, for example, liver and kidney damage (elevated alanine [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferases [AST], blood urea nitrogen [BUN], and creatinine), and hemorrhage (decreased platelet count). A composite disease characteristic function was introduced to describe disease severity and integrated with the ordinary differential equations estimating the time course of clinical biomarkers. Model simulation results appropriately represented the concentration‐dependence of the magnitude and time course of Ebola infection (viral and pathophysiological), including time course of viral load, ALT and AST elevations, platelet count, creatinine, and BUN. The model estimated the observed survival rate in rhesus macaques and the dose of REGN‐EB3 required for saturation of the pharmacodynamic effects of viral inhibition, reversal of Ebola pathophysiology, and survival. The model also predicted survival in clinical trials with appropriate scaling to humans. This mathematical investigation demonstrates that drug‐disease modeling can be an important translational tool to integrate preclinical data from an NHP model recapitulating disease progression to guide future translation of preclinical data to clinical study design.
Curbing the usage of conflict minerals: A supply network perspective
Authors: Zhang Han , Aydin Goker , Heese Hans Sebastian 
Published: July 2022

ABSTRACTAn important source of funds for the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the revenue from mineral mining. NGOs and legislators made efforts to require manufacturers that use “conflict minerals” to learn and disclose their sources. In the mineral supply chain, the critical link between mines and manufacturers is smelters. We study equilibrium sourcing decisions in the supply network consisting of manufacturers and smelters. We show the equilibrium depends on the total demand of “compliance‐prone” manufacturers, which would choose to be compliant if the prices of certified and noncertified metals were equal. We identify the conditions for the existence of several types of equilibrium: an all‐certified equilibrium where all smelters become certified; an equilibrium where both metal types coexist with no shortage of certified metal; and an equilibrium where both metal types coexist with a shortage of certified metal. In the event that an all‐certified equilibrium is out of reach, we identify how the usage of conflict minerals changes as an NGO or a legislative body targets additional manufacturers. Our model does not incorporate deliberate choices by the mines to become verified conflict‐free, that may enhance the effect of the penalties in the long run. However, in the short‐to‐intermediate run, for a given pool of mines that are verified, an implication of our results is that imposing penalties on manufacturers goes only so far: If penalties induce sufficiently many manufacturers to become compliance‐prone, certified metal may become so expensive that some compliance‐prone manufacturers will not comply.
Preclinical pharmacology of RA15127343: In vitro and in vivo activity of a novel ultralong‐acting basal insulin
Authors: Werner Ulrich , Bielohuby Maximilian , Korn Marcus , Riedel Jens , Will Martin , Méndez María 
Published: July 2022

AbstractAimTo report the in vitro and in vivo preclinical pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of RA15127343, a novel ultralong‐acting insulin analogue targeting once‐weekly administration, in female Göttingen minipigs.MethodsIn vitro binding and activation of human insulin receptor isoforms (IR‐A/IR‐B), glucose uptake in rat myocytes, as well as mitogenic activity of RA15127343 were evaluated. In vivo, the PK and PD activities of RA15127343 were assessed in female, normoglycaemic Göttingen minipigs. The half‐life (t1/2) and time to maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) of subcutaneously (SC) administered RA15127343 (10/30/45/60 nmol/kg) were estimated. In vivo blood glucose and endogenous plasma C‐peptide concentrations after single SC administration (10/30/45/60 nmol/kg) or repeated dosing (15 nmol/kg) were analysed.ResultsIn comparison to human insulin, RA15127343 showed lower in vitro binding affinity (19.9/6.31 μM vs. 1.10/1.14 nM) and activation (2.054 μM/669.6 nM vs. 26.04/18.24 nM) of IR‐A/IR‐B, lower potency to activate glucose uptake (855.2 vs. 3.37 nM) and lower mitogenic activity (17.92 μM vs. 10.78 nM; proliferation in MCF7 cells). In vivo, the mean t1/2 and Tmax of RA15127343 after SC administration ranged from 48 to 59 and 30 to 39 hours, respectively. Blood glucose and plasma C‐peptide concentrations were significantly lower with RA15127343 (single/repeated doses) versus vehicle.ConclusionsRA15127343 showed an ultra‐long t1/2 with a slow onset of action. The preclinical pharmacological outcomes suggest RA15127343 could be a potential ultralong‐acting insulin analogue with low risk of hypoglycaemia in humans.