bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telling the world how skilful you are: Self-praise strategies on LinkedIn
Authors: Tobback Els
Published: September 2019

Self-praise has traditionally been interpreted as a potentially face threatening act, which infringes the ‘Modesty Maxim’ proposed by Leech. Certain discourse genres, however, like application letters, job interviews or the LinkedIn summaries which are the research object of this article serve, by definition, to promote the professional as skilful. Hence, the question arises to what extent these discourse genres take into account the (potentially) risky nature of self-praise. On the basis of a corpus of some 90 French and US LinkedIn summaries, this article shows, on one hand, that besides asserting explicitly which competent identity and skills one has, LinkedIn-members use a whole array of more or less subtle indirect strategies to express skilfulness, including strategies pertaining to the area of reported speech. On the other hand, the analysis reveals that downgrading devices are hardly attested, contrary to upgrading modifiers, which also exhibit a remarkable variation.
Maintaining culture and supporting cultural identity in foster care placements
Authors: Waniganayake Manjula , Hadley Fay , Johnson Matthew , Mortimer Paul , McMahon Tadgh , Karatasas Kathy
Published: September 2019

This article reports on an exploratory study about maintaining and supporting the cultural identity of children from culturally and linguistically diverse family backgrounds in foster care placements. In this study, we spoke with foster carers and caseworkers who respectively live and work with children from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in the state of New South Wales. Foster care is one of the most common placement types in out-of-home care where a child or young person is placed with an alternative caregiver on a temporary or long-term basis, usually due to neglect or abuse. The importance of nurturing a sense of belonging through cultural, linguistic and religious affiliations is recognised in Australian curriculum policies that guide teachers in early childhood and school settings. Teachers, however, may not be fully aware of their potential contribution in supporting these children to maintain their connections with their cultural heritage. Our findings provide evidence for extending the public discourse on cultural responsiveness and supporting cultural maintenance in foster care placements. We consider implications for foster care practice and future research involving key stakeholders such as children and young people in care, as well as teachers in early childhood and school settings.
Psychology of Giftedness and the Theory of Positive Disintegration: A Conversation With Sal Mendaglio
Authors: Mendaglio Sal , Kettler Todd , Rinn Anne N.
Published: September 2019

Dąbrowski’s theory of positive disintegration has been associated with the psychology of giftedness for four decades, and Sal Mendaglio has significantly contributed to the thoughtful understanding of the theory throughout those 40 years. In this interview, Mendaglio discusses the relationship between the theory of positive disintegration and the psychology of giftedness. Mendaglio addresses potential misunderstanding of the theory as well as the concept of overexcitabilities. He clarifies that Dąbrowski’s theory is not a theory of giftedness; however, the theory as well as Dąbrowski’s concept of intelligence contributed to Mendaglio’s understanding of the psychology of giftedness. Mendaglio cautions against the oversimplification of overexcitabilities and the tools with which the construct has been measured.
Long non‐coding RNA expression profiling in the lungs of pulmonary arterial hypertension rats with acute inflammation
Authors: Yang Yue , Cao Yanan , Qin Gang , Wang Lu , Li Qian , Dai Sisi , Guo Lizhe , Guo Qulian , Peng Yong Gang , Duan Bin , Wang E.
Published: September 2019

Background

We performed RNA‐sequencing to investigate the changes and expression profiles in long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their potential functional roles in the lungs of pulmonary arterial hypertension rats responding to acute inflammation.

Methods

To establish a pulmonary arterial hypertension rat model, monocrotaline was injected intraperitoneally and lipopolysaccharide was given to induce acute inflammation. Selected lncRNAs were validated by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Bioinformatics analyses were carried out to predict the potential biological roles of key lncRNAs.

Results

Twenty‐eight lncRNAs and seven mRNAs with elevated expression and 202 lncRNAs and 36 mRNAs with decreased expression were found in the lung tissues of lipopolysaccharide‐treated pulmonary arterial hypertension rats compared with control group. The qRT‐PCR validation results were consistent with the bioinformatics analysis. Gene ontology analyses showed that the mRNAs and lncRNAs were differentially expressed in different pathways regarding biological process, cellular components, and molecular function. The functions of differentially expressed messenger RNAs (DEmRNAs) and DElncRNAs were indicated by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment.

Conclusion

The DEmRNAs co‐expressed with DElncRNAs were obviously enriched in inflammation. DElncRNAs and DEmRNAs in the lungs of pulmonary arterial hypertension rats changed with acute inflammation may provide new insights into the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
The course from tooth loss to successful rehabilitation with denture: Feelings influenced by socioeconomic status
Authors: Lima de Paula Lara Melina Leite , Sampaio Aline Araujo , Costa Josué Gomes , Gomes Viviane Elisângela , Ferreira Efigênia Ferreira e , Ferreira Raquel Conceição
Published: September 2019

Objective:

This study evaluated the perception of users of complete dentures (successful cases) provided by the public health service throughout the course from tooth loss to rehabilitation.

Methods:

A total of 11 individuals who received their complete dentures through the public health service were interviewed according to a qualitative approach based on three pre-established topics: (1) tooth loss, (2) living without teeth, and (3) living with dentures. The obtained material was submitted to content analysis.

Results:

Individuals associated the socioeconomic status with lifelong oral health experiences and difficulty to access oral treatment. Tooth loss was the solution to pain and sometimes perceived as a natural event of life. Living without teeth was a negative surprise that resulted in physical and psychological impairments. The period of adaptation to dentures represented suffering and required psychological efforts to be successful.

Conclusion:

The dentures represented a reward for the suffering and recovered normal function, appearance, and socialization.
Urodynamic findings and urologic management of central cord syndrome
Authors: Pirpiris Athina , Hoag Nathan , Clements Richard , Gani Johan
Published: September 2019

Purpose:

Central cord syndrome is the most common incomplete spinal cord injury, although urodynamic data on this subset of patients is lacking. We aim to determine the typical urodynamic features associated with this condition.

Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing urodynamic studies in a tertiary spinal cord unit between 2014 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed to identify those with central cord syndrome. Charts were evaluated for demographics, spinal cord injury classification, symptoms, urodynamic parameters and treatment. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results:

A total of 131 consecutive patients undergoing urodynamic studies were reviewed and 33 were identified with central cord syndrome. Mean age was 46 years and 91% were male. The predominant spinal cord injury classification was American Spinal Injury Association D (52%). Overall, 94% (31/33) reported volitional voiding and normal bladder sensation. Video-urodynamics demonstrated neurogenic detrusor overactivity in 70% (23/33) of patients, with 15% (5/33) demonstrating leakage with neurogenic detrusor overactivity and 21% (7/33) having reflex emptying. In total, 94% (31/33) of patients had normal compliance, 42% (14/33) of patients had detrusor sphincter or bladder neck dyssynergia and 60% (20/33) had an alteration to their management plan following urodynamic study.

Conclusion:

There is discordance between subjective patient-reported symptoms and objective urodynamic findings. About two-fifths of patients may have a potentially unsafe urodynamic bladder profile and urodynamics studies resulted in a change in bladder management in the majority of patients. Urodynamic assessment of patients with central cord syndrome is essential to determine which patients require further intervention.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable for this multicentre audit.
“She Thinks of Him as a Machine”: On the Entanglements of Neoliberal Ideology and Misogynist Cybercrime
Authors: Van Valkenburgh Shawn P.
Published: September 2019

The “manosphere” is a constellation of masculinist social media communities loosely unified by an anti-feminist worldview. Although extant journalism and social media scholarship successfully delineate the manosphere as a significant social problem by associating it with misogynist cybercrime and cyberhate, the resulting narrative simplistically pathologizes manosphere discourse while leaving its misogyny undertheorized. In this article, I complicate this emerging narrative by demonstrating how a certain central manosphere discourse qualitatively overlaps with a broader neoliberal ideology. I do so by further developing a critical discourse analysis of quasi-representative manosphere documents drawn from “The Red Pill,” a sub-forum of Reddit.com. Although this forum is explicitly devoted to discussing heterosexual seduction strategies, I find that it also produces a discursive means for fiscally conservative men to reconcile their pro-capitalist economic beliefs with apparent evidence of capitalism’s destructive tendencies and contradictions. This forum’s anti-feminist discourse implicitly parallels Marxian theory while explicitly supporting free market capitalism and denigrating women, thereby providing men with a linguistic and conceptual framework to scapegoat women for economic problems while leaving neoliberal ideas and assumptions unchallenged.
Does Too Much News on Social Media Discourage News Seeking? Mediating Role of News Efficacy Between Perceived News Overload and News Avoidance on Social Media
Authors: Park Chang Sup
Published: September 2019

Drawing upon Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, this study conceptualizes “social media news efficacy” and examines how news efficacy connects perceived news overload on social media to news avoidance and social filtering. Findings from a two-wave panel survey of South Korean adults show that news overload is significantly related to a decrease of news efficacy, which in turn increases news avoidance on social media. The analysis also finds that news efficacy mediates the positive link between perceived news overload and social filtering over time.
Association between risk factors and testicular microlithiasis
Authors: Pedersen Malene Roland , Møller Henrik , Rafaelsen Søren Rafael , Møller Jens Kjølseth , Osther Palle Jørn Sloth , Vedsted Peter
Published: September 2019

Background

Testicular microlithiasis and its clinical significance are not fully understood. Testicular microlithiasis and risk factors have been associated with testicular cancer. The role of testicular microlithiasis is investigated.

Purpose

To investigate the association between testicular microlithiasis and socioeconomic and other pre-diagnostic factors.

Material and Methods

All men who had a scrotal ultrasound examination at the Department of Radiology, Vejle Hospital, during 2001–2013 were included. They were categorized as patients with and without testicular microlithiasis and compared with pre-diagnostic data from a nationwide registry. A total of 2404 men (283 [11.8%] with testicular microlithiasis and 2121 [88.2%] without testicular microlithiasis) were included. The association between testicular microlithiasis and pre-diagnostic conditions was investigated with logistic regression.

Results

Overall, we found no statistically significant differences in demographics, socioeconomic characteristics, or testicular diseases in men with and without testicular microlithiasis. Men with testicular microlithiasis had more often been treated for infertility (odds ratio [OR] 2.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84–5.24) and testicular torsion (OR 1.58, 95% CI 0.34–7.36) compared to men without testicular microlithiasis. We found no association between sexually transmitted diseases and testicular microlithiasis.

Conclusion

Treatment for infertility and torsion was non-significantly associated with testicular microlithiasis and no other association was found. These data do not suggest early exposure is related to testicular microlithiasis.
Maxillary Lateral Incisor with 3 Root Canals: A Case Report
Authors: Buonvivere Mario , Buonvivere Matteo
Published: September 2019

The proper knowledge of the root canal system anatomy is crucial to perform successful endodontic treatments. Maxillary lateral incisors usually have a single root. However, aberrant canal configurations of this tooth have been reported in the literature. The clinician should be aware of the difficulties arising from this more complex root canal anatomy and should be able to manage them. A rare case of a maxillary lateral incisor with three root canals is presented in this article; the challenge of diagnosis and treatment in similar situations is also discussed.
Factors Affecting the Outcomes of Arthroscopic Capsular Release for Idiopathic Adhesive Capsulitis
Authors: Rizvi Syed M. , Harisha Ahmed J. , Lam Patrick H. , Murrell George A.C.
Published: September 2019

Background:

Arthroscopic capsular release has been shown to provide excellent short- and long-term outcomes in patients with idiopathic frozen shoulder. Some surgeons delay surgery in the belief that operating in the early stages of adhesive capsulitis results in a poorer prognosis. However, it is unclear which factors, particularly the stage of the disorder, affect the surgical outcome of this procedure.

Hypothesis:

Patients who undergo capsular release during the early symptomatic stage of idiopathic adhesive capsulitis would have less improvement in range of motion compared with those who undergo surgery at a later stage.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 189 shoulders with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis that underwent arthroscopic capsular release were evaluated. All patients completed a L’Insalata questionnaire and had their range of motion and strength tested prior to surgery and at 1, 6, and 12 weeks and 6 months post–capsular release. Post hoc, patients were grouped by whether they had symptoms lasting <10 months (shorter symptoms group; n = 131) or ≥10 months (longer symptoms group; n = 38). Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to determine which preoperative factors were independently associated with a favorable outcome.

Results:

Patients in the shorter symptoms group were more restricted prior to surgery than were those in the longer symptoms group (mean ± SEM: external rotation, 17° ± 2° vs 27° ± 4° [ P = .04]; abduction, 78° ± 3° vs 92° ± 6° [ P = .04]; internal rotation, S3 ± 1 vs S1 ± 1 [ P = .03]). The shorter symptoms group had greater postoperative improvement in internal rotation (from S3 ± 1 preoperatively to T12 ± 1 vertebral levels) compared with the longer symptoms cohort (from S1 ± 1 to L2 ± 1) ( P = .02).

Conclusion:

Patients with a frozen shoulder and a duration of symptoms <10 months made greater improvements in internal rotation and had similar final results for flexion, abduction, and external rotation following arthroscopic capsular release when compared with patients who had a longer duration of symptoms, so there is no reason to delay surgery.
Reception of the Gospel of John among the Isawa of Northern Nigeria and the Qiang of Western China, 1913–35
Authors: Seed Caroline Grace
Published: September 2019

This article examines the early mission history of the reception of the Gospel of John among two very different people groups, the Isawa of northern Nigeria and the Qiang of western China. It considers the similarities in their pre-Christian religion in terms of monotheism, messianic expectation, and self-understanding as children of Israel in order to theorize theological reasons for the positive reception of John’s Gospel. It concludes that John’s Gospel is the ideal place to start reading with monotheistic groups.
Threats to Cultural Monument in Ethiopia: Based on Evidences of Causes and Problems of Some Forgotten Rock-cut Churches
Authors: Demissie Tsegaye Ebabey
Published: September 2019

Ethiopia is endowed with incredible rock-cut churches embodying great architectural, aesthetic and artistic significance built over its past. However, these priceless cultural antiquities are frequently confronted with different threats. This study aims to explore potential threats and associated impacts evidencing with least known and threatened rock-cut churches. Several rock-cut churches are subjected to different problems such as stripping, cracking, degradation, breaking and demolition that badly affected their significant values. Different natural and anthropogenic agents are responsible for these problems. Recycling rainfall and sunlight, among others, are the major natural factors that caused deterioration or destruction of various rock-cut churches. Uninformed local intervention, one of the major anthropogenic factors, not only has failed to restore lost structural, architectural and aesthetic elements of the rock-cut churches but it also has replaced original rock-cut features by culturally unfamiliar contemporary buildings. Previous war and conflict, the sixteenth-century war of the Islamic Sultanates against the Christian Kingdom, for instance, were also the other man-made causes of destruction, abandonment and plundering of many rock-cut churches that are evidenced in different areas. Above all, the absence of governmental attention towards heritage management is costing the country with a profound loss of its incredible built heritages particularly in the remote areas. All the evidences presented in this study are indicators that the country’s cultural heritage management is at its critical situation which needs the engagement of concerned stakeholder to preserve the country’s past.
Visual and Anatomic Outcomes in Perforating Ocular Injuries
Authors: Kanu Levi N. , Jiang Yi , Gonzalez Alvaro Fernandez-Vega , Mieler William F.
Published: September 2019

Purpose:

This article reports the presentation, management, and outcomes in patients suffering perforating ocular injuries.

Methods:

A retrospective review was conducted at a single ophthalmology Level 1 trauma center. Patients with evidence of traumatic ocular perforation, with surgical intervention attended by a single vitreoretinal surgeon (W.F.M.), were reviewed between 2009 and 2017.

Results:

Six eyes from 6 patients with perforating ocular injuries were studied. All patients were male, between ages 11 and 56 years. Perforation was the result of gunshots (3), other accidental injury (2), or surgical complication (1). Varying degrees of retinal detachments were seen in all 6 patients. Pars plana vitrectomy, with endolaser around posterior entry or exit wounds, was performed on average 21.7 ± 8.9 days from the time of injury (range, 0-58 days). In all cases with intraorbital foreign bodies, the foreign bodies were left in place. The most recent postoperative visual acuity ranged from 20/25 to counting fingers. Missile injuries tended to have poorer vision. All cases achieved full anatomic attachment at most recent follow-up. There have been no orbital complications related to retained intraorbital foreign bodies, including endophthalmitis, orbital infections, or mechanical strabismus.

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates successful anatomic outcomes of 6 cases of perforating ocular injuries. Visual outcomes were variable, though missile injuries demonstrated worse prognosis, whereas several nonmissile macula-involving cases achieved quite favorable results. Although traumatic perforating injuries generally have guarded visual prognoses, favorable results may be achieved in select scenarios.
New organisation for follow-up and assessment of treatment efficacy in sleep apnoea
Authors: Suarez-Giron Monique , Bonsignore Maria R. , Montserrat Josep M.
Published: September 2019

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a highly prevalent disease, and there is an increased demand for OSA diagnosis and treatment. However, resources are limited compared with the growing needs for OSA diagnosis and management, and alternative strategies need to be developed to optimise the OSA clinical pathway. In this review, we propose a management strategy for OSA, and in general for sleep-disordered breathing, to be implemented from diagnosis to follow-up. For this purpose, the best current options seem to be: 1) networking at different levels of care, from primary physicians to specialised sleep laboratories; and 2) use of telemedicine. Telemedicine can contribute to the improved cost-effectiveness of OSA management during both the diagnostic and therapeutic phases. However, although the technology is already in place and different commercial platforms are in use, it is still unclear how to use telemedicine effectively in the sleep field. Application of telemedicine for titration of positive airway pressure treatment, follow-up to improve compliance to treatment through early identification and solution of problems, and teleconsultation all appear to be promising areas for improved OSA management.
Do multiple personal roles promote working energetically in female nurses? A cross-sectional study of relevant factors promoting work engagement in female nurses
Authors: Okada Nagisa , Yabase Kosuke , Kobayashi Toshio , Okamura Hitoshi
Published: September 2019

Background

Like most women, female nurses in the workforce experience life events such as marriage, childbirth, and child-rearing, and carry out numerous personal roles. This may result in an increase in various demands for nurses, and coping with these roles may promote work engagement. However, few studies have focused on work engagement or spillover effects, including those in the family domain, in female nurses with multiple roles. In the present study, we aimed to examine work engagement in female nurses and investigate its relationship with factors such as the presence or absence of multiple personal roles.

Methods

The subjects of this study were 1225 female nurses working at three general hospitals, each with at least 200 hospital beds in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The cross-sectional design of the study used anonymous self-administered questionnaires. Responses were received from 650 nurses (response rate 53.1%), of which 612 were valid (valid response rate 50.0%). Multiple regression analysis was performed on the 612 responses regarding associations between work engagement and the presence or absence of multiple roles (role as a wife or mother), spillover effects, coping characteristics, job demands, and job resources.

Results

In general, the work engagement of female nurses was low, as is the case with other female workers in Japan, but work engagement was higher among female nurses with multiple roles than among those without. The regression analysis showed that factors associated with better work engagement in female nurses were family-to-work positive spillover, job resources, coping strategies including “changing a point of view,” “active solution for problems,” “avoidance and suppression,” and the presence of multiple roles.

Conclusions

The results indicate that in addition to resources in the work domain, a family-to-work positive spillover effect, which is a variable in the non-work domain, may also promote energetic work among female nurses. Therefore, it is necessary for nurses to receive support at work and use effective coping strategies.
CytoConverter: a web-based tool to convert karyotypes to genomic coordinates
Authors: Wang Janet , LaFramboise Thomas
Published: September 2019

Background

Cytogenetic nomenclature is used to describe chromosomal aberrations (or lack thereof) in a collection of cells, referred to as the cells’ karyotype. The nomenclature identifies locations on chromosomes using a system of cytogenetic bands, each with a unique name and region on a chromosome. Each band is microscopically visible after staining, and encompasses a large portion of the chromosome. More modern analyses employ genomic coordinates, which precisely specify a chromosomal location according to its distance from the end of the chromosome. Currently, there is no tool to convert cytogenetic nomenclature into genomic coordinates. Since locations of genes and other genomic features are usually specified by genomic coordinates, a conversion tool will facilitate the identification of the features that are harbored in the regions of chromosomal gain and loss that are implied by a karyotype.

Results

Our tool, termed CytoConverter, takes as input either a single karyotype or a file consisting of multiple karyotypes from several individuals. All net chromosomal gains and losses implied by the karyotype are returned in standard genomic coordinates, along with the numbers of cells harboring each aberration if included in the input. CytoConverter also returns graphical output detailing areas of gains and losses of chromosomes and chromosomal segments.

Conclusions

CytoConverter is available as a web-based application at https://jxw773.shinyapps.io/Cytogenetic__software/ and as an R script at https://sourceforge.net/projects/cytoconverter/. Supplemental Material detailing the underlying algorithms is available.
The differences of gonadal hormones and uterine transcriptome during shell calcification of hens laying hard or weak-shelled eggs
Authors: Zhang Jiacai , Wang Yanan , Zhang Cong , Xiong Mingxin , Rajput Shahid Ali , Liu Yun , Qi Desheng
Published: September 2019

Background

Eggshell breaking strength is critical to reduce egg breaking rate and avoid economic loss. The process of eggshell calcification initiates with the egg entering the uterus and lasts about 18 h. It follows a temporal sequence corresponding to the initiation, growth and termination periods of shell calcification. During each period of shell calcification, our study investigated the differences of gonadal hormones and uterine transcriptome in laying hens producing a high or low breaking strength shell.

Results

60 Hy-line Brown laying hens were selected and divided into two groups according to eggshell breaking strength. Eggshell breaking strength of 44.57 ± 0.91 N and 26.68 ± 0.38 N were considered to be the high strength group (HS) and low strength group (LS), respectively. The results showed that mammillary thickness and mammillary knob width of eggshells were significantly lower in the HS. Serum progesterone (P4) and 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] were significantly higher in the HS compared to the LS during the initiation period of calcification. Serum estradiol (E2) and calcium did not change significantly. All factors mentioned above had no significant differences in the growth and termination periods of calcification. The relative expression of CaBP-D28k and PMCA 1b were not significantly different between HS and LS. The relative expression of NCX1 was significantly higher in HS compared to LS. Moreover, 1777 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained in the initiation period of calcification. However, few DEGs were identified in the growth or termination periods of calcification. 30 DEGs were selected as candidate genes involved in eggshell calcification during the initiation period of calcification by the analysis of GO terms and KEGG pathways.

Conclusions

Our study concluded that mammillary thickness and mammillary knob width of the HS were significantly lower than LS. P4 and 1,25-(OH)2D3 were significantly higher in the initiation period of HS. They may impact initial calcification when the mammillary layer is formed. The initiation period of calcification determined eggshell strength rather than the growth or termination periods. We inferred P4 or 1,25-(OH)2D3 may effect the ultrastructure of the mammillary layer by regulating the expression of uterine genes.
Comparative proteomic analysis provides new insights into the specialization of shoots and stolons in bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.)
Authors: Zhang Bing , Fan Jibiao , Liu Jianxiu
Published: September 2019

Background

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) is an important turfgrass species with two types of stems, shoots and stolons. Despite their importance in determining the morphological variance and plasticity of bermudagrass, the intrinsic differences between stolons and shoots are poorly understood.

Results

In this study, we compared the proteomes of internode sections of shoots and stolons in the bermudagrass cultivar Yangjiang. The results indicated that 376 protein species were differentially accumulated in the two types of stems. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that five and nine biochemical pathways were significantly enriched in stolons and shoots, respectively. Specifically, enzymes participating in starch synthesis all preferentially accumulated in stolons, whereas proteins involved in glycolysis and diverse transport processes showed relatively higher abundance in shoots. ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) and pyruvate kinase (PK), which catalyze rate-limiting steps of starch synthesis and glycolysis, showed high expression levels and enzyme activity in stolons and shoots, respectively, in accordance with the different starch and soluble sugar contents of the two types of stems.

Conclusions

Our study revealed the differences between the shoots and stolons of bermudagrass at the proteome level. The results not only expand our understanding of the specialization of stolons and shoots but also provide clues for the breeding of bermudagrass and other turfgrasses with different plant architectures.
Genome-wide association and differential expression analysis of salt tolerance in Gossypium hirsutum L at the germination stage
Authors: Yuan Yanchao , Xing Huixian , Zeng Wenguan , Xu Jialing , Mao Lili , Wang Liyuan , Feng Wei , Tao Jincai , Wang Haoran , Zhang Haijun , Wang Qingkang , Zhang Guihua , Song Xianliang , Sun Xue-Zhen
Published: September 2019

Background

Salinity is a major abiotic stress seriously hindering crop yield. Development and utilization of tolerant varieties is the most economical way to address soil salinity. Upland cotton is a major fiber crop and pioneer plant on saline soil and thus its genetic architecture underlying salt tolerance should be extensively explored.

Results

In this study, genome-wide association analysis and RNA sequencing were employed to detect salt-tolerant qualitative-trait loci (QTLs) and candidate genes in 196 upland cotton genotypes at the germination stage. Using comprehensive evaluation values of salt tolerance in four environments, we identified 33 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including 17 and 7 SNPs under at least two and four environments, respectively. The 17 stable SNPs were located within or near 98 candidate genes in 13 QTLs, including 35 genes that were functionally annotated to be involved in salt stress responses. RNA-seq analysis indicated that among the 98 candidate genes, 13 were stably differentially expressed. Furthermore, 12 of the 13 candidate genes were verified by qRT-PCR. RNA-seq analysis detected 6640, 3878, and 6462 differentially expressed genes at three sampling time points, of which 869 were shared.

Conclusions

These results, including the elite cotton accessions with accurate salt tolerance evaluation, the significant SNP markers, the candidate genes, and the salt-tolerant pathways, could improve our understanding of the molecular regulatory mechanisms under salt stress tolerance and genetic manipulation for cotton improvement.
Comparative analysis of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) leaf transcriptomes for insight into drought tolerance mechanisms
Authors: Zhang Yuyu , Gao Xiaoli , Li Jing , Gong Xiangwei , Yang Pu , Gao Jinfeng , Wang Pengke , Feng Baili
Published: September 2019

Background

Drought stress is a major abiotic stress that causes huge losses in agricultural production. Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum L.) can efficiently adapt to drought stress and provides important information and gene resources to improve drought tolerance. However, its complex drought-responsive mechanisms remain unclear.

Results

Among 37 core Chinese proso millet cultivars, Jinshu 6 (JS6) was selected as the drought-sensitive test material, whereas Neimi 5 (NM5) was selected as the drought-tolerant test material under PEG-induced water stress. After sequencing, 1695 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were observed in JS6 and NM5 without PEG-induced water stress (JS6CK and NM5CK). A total of 833 and 2166 DEGs were found in the two cultivars under simulated drought by using 20% PEG-6000 for 6 (JS6T6 and NM5T6) and 24 h (JS6T24 and NM5T24), respectively. The DEGs in JS6T6 and JS6T24 treatments were approximately 0.298- and 0.754-fold higher than those in NM5T6 and NM5T24, respectively. Compared with the respective controls, more DEGs were found in T6 treatments than in T24 treatments. A delay in the transcriptional responses of the ROS scavenging system to simulated drought treatment and relatively easy recovery of the expression of photosynthesis-associated genes were observed in NM5. Compared with JS6, different regulation strategies were observed in the jasmonic acid (JA) signal transduction pathway of NM5.

Conclusion

Under PEG-induced water stress, NM5 maintained highly stable gene expression levels. Compared with drought-sensitive cultivars, the different regulation strategies in the JA signal transduction pathway in drought-tolerant cultivars may be one of the driving forces underlying drought stress tolerance.
NAL8 encodes a prohibitin that contributes to leaf and spikelet development by regulating mitochondria and chloroplasts stability in rice
Authors: Chen Ke , Guo Tao , Li Xin-Min , Yang Yi-Bing , Dong Nai-Qian , Shi Chuan-Lin , Ye Wang-Wei , Shan Jun-Xiang , Lin Hong-Xuan
Published: September 2019

Background

Leaf morphology and spikelet number are two important traits associated with grain yield. To understand how genes coordinating with sink and sources of cereal crops is important for grain yield improvement guidance. Although many researches focus on leaf morphology or grain number in rice, the regulating molecular mechanisms are still unclear.

Results

In this study, we identified a prohibitin complex 2α subunit, NAL8, that contributes to multiple developmental process and is required for normal leaf width and spikelet number at the reproductive stage in rice. These results were consistent with the ubiquitous expression pattern of NAL8 gene. We used genetic complementation, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing system, RNAi gene silenced system and overexpressing system to generate transgenic plants for confirming the fuctions of NAL8. Mutation of NAL8 causes a reduction in the number of plastoglobules and shrunken thylakoids in chloroplasts, resulting in reduced cell division. In addition, the auxin levels in nal8 mutants are higher than in TQ, while the cytokinin levels are lower than in TQ. Moreover, RNA-sequencing and proteomics analysis shows that NAL8 is involved in multiple hormone signaling pathways as well as photosynthesis in chloroplasts and respiration in mitochondria.

Conclusions

Our findings provide new insights into the way that NAL8 functions as a molecular chaperone in regulating plant leaf morphology and spikelet number through its effects on mitochondria and chloroplasts associated with cell division.
Impact of transition in work status and social participation on cognitive performance among elderly in India
Authors: Chanda Srei , Mishra Raman
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Transition to the oldage marks a change in work and social participation. Socio-economic and physical conditions arising from this change pose a risk for cognitive outcomes among the elderly. Gender shows different pathways to deal with the pattern of participation and to maintain cognitive health. In India, work participation in the oldage is an outcome of financial deprivations and lack of support. At the same time, alterations in social interactions can induce stress and precipitate cognitive decline in oldage. A dearth of studies in this domain motivates us to estimate the effect of change in work and social participation on cognitive performance of the elderly in the Indian context.

Methods

The study has used the cross-sectional data on 5212 elderly from the World Health Organization’s Study on global AGeing and adult health (Wave 1) (2007–08) in India. A composite score for cognition was generated. Interaction between gender, work status and social participation with respect to cognition was performed using multivariate linear regression. A linear prediction of the cognitive scores across all levels of social participation was post-estimated thereafter.

Results

The study found that the elderly who were ‘presently working’ and showed ‘more’ social participation had a higher mean score for cognitive performance than their counterparts. Results of regression did not indicate any gender interaction with work or social participation. Participation in social activities ‘sometimes’ by those who were ‘retired’ or ‘presently working’ showed a positive and significant co-efficient with cognition among respondents. The post-estimated values for cognition specified that ‘retired’ and ‘presently working’ elderly had higher cognition scores. In the age group of 60–69 years, cognition scores were higher for those who were ‘retired’ and did ‘more’ social participation as compared to the other elderly.

Conclusion

Cognitive aging is attenuated by higher participation in work and social activities. Adequate financial schemes or the pension system can protect the elderly from developing further stress. Retirement at an appropriate age, along with a reasonable amount of social participation, is a boon for cognitive wellbeing. Hence, building more support can contain the detrimental effect of participation restriction on cognitive outcome among elderly.
Genetic variants in CYP4F2 were significantly correlated with susceptibility to ischemic stroke
Authors: Wu Yuan , Zhao Junjie , Zhao Yonglin , Huang Tingqin , Ma Xudong , Pang Honggang , Zhang Ming
Published: September 2019

Background

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a serious cardiovascular disease and is associated with several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, the role of Cytochrome P450 family 4 subfamily F member 2 (CYP4F2) gene in IS remains unknown. Our study aimed to explore whether CYP4F2 polymorphisms influenced IS risk in the Han Chinese population.

Methods

We selected 477 patients and 495 controls to do a case-control study, and five SNPs in CYP4F2 gene were successfully genotyped. And we evaluated the associations using the Chi-squared test, independent sample t test, and genetic models analyses. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

In this study, rs12459936 and rs3093144 were associated with IS risk in the overall. After stratified analysis by age (> 61 years), rs3093193 and rs3093144 were related to an increased risk of IS, whereas rs12459936 was related to a decreased risk of IS. In addition, we found that three SNPs (rs3093193, rs3093144 and rs12459936) were associated with the susceptibility to IS in males. We also found five SNPs in the CYP4F2 gene had strong linkage.

Conclusions

Three SNPs (rs3093193, rs3093144 and rs12459936) in the CYP4F2 were associated with IS risk in a Chinese Han population. And, CYP4F2 gene may be involved in the development of IS.
Association between prodynorphin gene polymorphisms and opioid dependence susceptibility: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Chang-wang , Ma Min , Lu Wei-guang , Luo Ru-qin
Published: September 2019

Background

Prodynorphin (PDYN) gene polymorphisms have been linked with opioid dependence (OD) with conflicting outcomes, the aim of this study is to synthesize the existing evidence of the association between PDYN polymorphisms and OD susceptibility.

Methods

Four databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Wanfang were retrieved for relevant studies before August, 2018. All identified studies were evaluated using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Summary odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were calculated to appraise the association. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.

Results

A total of seven case-control studies with 3129 cases and 3289 controls were recruited in the meta-analysis. For rs910080, rs1997794, rs1022563, and rs2235749 polymorphisms of PDYN gene, there were six, four, five, and four studies eventually included, respectively. The findings indicated that rs910080 polymorphism was significantly correlated with OD among Asian population under allelic model (A vs. G, OR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.04–1.62, P = 0.02, FDR = 0.05) and dominant model (AA+AG vs. GG, OR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.04–1.51, P = 0.02, FDR = 0.05). However, rs1022563, rs1997794 and rs2235749 polymorphisms did not appear to associate with OD susceptibility.

Conclusions

There existed a significant association between rs1022563 polymorphism and OD among Asian population. As the included studies were not adequate to guarantee a robust and convincing conclusion, future studies with larger sample size among more ethnicities are recommended.
Rationale and methods for a cross-sectional study of mental health and wellbeing following river flooding in rural Australia, using a community-academic partnership approach
Authors: Longman J. M. , Bennett-Levy J. , Matthews V. , Berry H. L. , Passey M. E. , Rolfe M. , Morgan G. G. , Braddon M. , Bailie R.
Published: September 2019

Background

Climate change is associated with greater frequency, duration, intensity and unpredictability of certain weather-related events, including floods. Floods harm mental health. There is limited understanding of the mental health and well-being effects from river flooding, particularly over the longer term and in rural contexts. This paper describes the rationale, aims, objectives, study design and socio-demographic characteristics of the sample for a study measuring associations between flood experience and mental health and wellbeing of residents (particularly those most likely to be negatively impacted and hard to reach) in rural NSW Australia 6 months following a devastating flood in 2017. To our knowledge, the study is the first of its kind within Australia in a rural community and is an important initiative given the likelihood of an increasing frequency of severe flooding in Australia given climate change.

Methods

A conceptual framework (The Flood Impact Framework) drawing on social ecological approaches was developed by the research team. It was based on the literature and feedback from the community. The Framework describes putative relationships between flood exposure and mental health and wellbeing outcomes. Within a community-academic partnership approach, a cross-sectional survey was then undertaken to quantify and further explore these relationships.

Results

The cross-sectional survey was conducted online (including on mobile phone) and on paper between September and November 2017 and recruited 2530 respondents. Of those, 2180 provided complete demographic data, among whom 69% were women, 91% were aged 25–74, 4% identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, 9% were farmers and 33% were business owners.

Conclusions

The study recruited a wide range of respondents and the partnership facilitated the community’s engagement with the design and implementation of the study. The study will provide a basis for a follow-up study, that will aim to improve the understanding of mental health and wellbeing effects over the longer term. It will provide an important and original contribution to understanding river flooding and mental health in rural Australia, a topic that will grow in importance in the context of human-induced climate change, and identify critical opportunities to strengthen services, emergency planning and resilience to future flooding.
Alarming development of dual snus and cigarette usage among young Finnish males
Authors: Danielsson Maria , Lammi Anelma , Siitonen Simo , Ollgren Jukka , Pylkkänen Liisa , Vasankari Tuula
Published: September 2019

Background

The consumption of tobacco products has evolved to include more complex combinations of different products. We investigated the tobacco habits of a representative population of young Finnish male conscripts in order to evaluate the prevalence of dual use of cigarettes and snus as well as the transition from one tobacco product to another. In addition, we evaluated the correlation between the level of education and the use of cigarettes and snus.

Methods

A questionnaire-based survey was carried out in three out of 17 garrisons among conscripts during their first week of service in 2014. A total of 1971 male conscripts were selected by simple random sampling of the 9013 males in the selected garrisons. Of them 1916 participated and filled in the questionnaire. The response rate was 97.2%. The questionnaire consisted of 25 questions including age, gender, basic education, use of tobacco products as well as questions assessing nicotine dependency.

Results

The amount of dual users of cigarettes and snus was 21%. There was a higher probability of dual use of cigarettes and snus among smokers compared to snus users (p < 0.001). One third (35%) of former smokers reported daily snus use and over 40% of the former snus users smoked daily. One third (34%) of the participants reported snus usage and 14% of the study subjects used snus daily. 40% of the study population were smokers and over 25% smoked daily. Of the participants with basic educational background 57% smoked daily (p < 0.001), however, no association between snus and level of education was found (p = 0.69).

Conclusions

This study provides better understanding of the complex tobacco habits of young adult males. The simultaneous usage of multiple tobacco products as well as the high tendency to transition from one tobacco product to another should be taken into consideration when planning cessation interventions in health care settings and tobacco control policies at societal levels.