bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are belowground clonal traits good predictors of ecosystem functioning in temperate grasslands?
Authors: Klimešová Jitka , Mudrák Ondřej , Martínková Jana , Lisner Aleš , Lepš Jan , Filartiga Arinawa Liz , Ottaviani Gianluigi
Published: January 2021

In herbaceous communities which host many perennial species, belowground clonal organs and traits remain largely overlooked in ecosystem functioning studies. However, the belowground compartment is expected to play a key role as the greatest proportion of biomass is allocated belowground. Our main goal was to test whether including underexplored clonal traits (in tandem with widely used aboveground traits) improves the ability to predict biomass production and soil carbon in temperate grasslands. We examined the relationships between five plant functional traits (canopy height, specific leaf area [SLA], lateral spread, multiplication rate, persistence of rhizome) and biomass allocation (aboveground, roots, rhizomes) and soil organic carbon (SOC).

We studied 52 grassland plots clustered in two Central European regions differing by management intensity. We assessed biomass allocated aboveground and belowground (into roots and rhizomes separately). SOC was measured from averaging five soil cores at each plot. Trait community means were calculated for each trait from species compositions using databases.

The most important traits in predicting biomass allocation were canopy height and persistence of rhizome. Results, however, differed for the two regions implying context dependency of the relationships. Persistence of rhizome and canopy height emerged as traits largely affecting ecosystem functioning at the less intensively managed grasslands—likely because of their links to biomass production and plant economics spectrum. At the more intensively managed grasslands, canopy height and SLA were negatively correlated with root biomass, with persistence of rhizome playing a (lesser) role. We found no significant predictors for SOC.

Synthesis. This study is the first attempt to integrate belowground clonal and aboveground traits to predict biomass allocation and soil carbon. Findings indicate that the ability of plant functional traits in predicting ecosystem functioning is highly context dependent, varying greatly even within the same community type. Only SLA and, to a lesser extent, persistence of rhizome consistently predicted root biomass in the two regions. We call for a broader implementation of the whole‐plant multifunctional approach applied here, ideally extending to other open ecosystems.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Life after recovery: Increased resolution of forest resilience assessment sheds new light on post‐drought compensatory growth and recovery dynamics
Authors: Ovenden Thomas S. , Perks Mike P. , Clarke Toni‐Kim , Mencuccini Maurizio , Jump Alistair S.
Published: January 2021

Understanding the impacts of extreme drought on forest productivity requires a comprehensive assessment of tree and forest resilience. However, current approaches to quantifying resilience limit our understanding of forest response dynamics, recovery trajectories and drought legacies by constraining the temporal scale and resolution of assessment.

We compared individual tree growth histories with growth forecasted using dynamic regression at an annual resolution, allowing drought impact and individual tree and stand level recovery dynamics to be assessed relative to a scenario where no drought occurred. The novel application of this approach allowed us to quantify the cumulative impact of drought legacy on radial growth at multiple stem heights at different stand densities.

We show that the choice of pre‐ and post‐drought periods over which resilience is assessed can lead to systematic bias in both estimates and interpretations of resilience indices. In contrast, measuring growth resilience annually revealed clear nonlinearities in tree and stand recovery trajectories. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the influence of pre‐drought attributes such as tree size, growth rates and stand densities on growth resilience were only detectable at certain stages of recovery. Importantly, we show that the legacy of drought on tree growth can become positive for some individuals, extending up to 9 years after the event such that post‐recovery growth can result in the reclamation of some lost tree and stand basal area.

Synthesis. We demonstrate the importance of increasing the temporal scale and resolution of forest resilience assessment in order to understand both patterns and drivers of drought recovery. We highlight the shortcomings of collapsing growth response into a single average value and show how drought legacy can persist into a post‐recovery phase, even positively impacting the growth of some trees. If unaccounted for, this post‐recovery growth phase can lead to an underestimation of resilience and an overestimation of above‐ground losses in productivity, highlighting the importance of considering longer‐term drought legacies and compensatory growth on basal area.
Colonization and bioweathering of monazite by Aspergillus niger: solubilization and precipitation of rare earth elements
Authors: Kang Xia , Csetenyi Laszlo , Gadd Geoffrey Michael
Published: January 2021

Geoactive fungi play a significant role in bioweathering of rock and mineral substrates. Monazite is a phosphate mineral containing the rare earth elements (REE) cerium, lanthanum and neodymium. Little is known about geomicrobial transformations of REE‐bearing minerals which are also relevant to REE biorecovery from terrestrial and extra‐terrestrial reserves. The geoactive soil fungus Aspergillus niger colonized monazite in solid and liquid growth media without any apparent growth inhibition. In a glucose‐minerals salts medium, monazite enhanced growth and mycelium extensively covered rock particle surfaces, probably due to the provision of phosphate and essential trace metals. Teeth‐like and pagoda‐like etching patterns indicated monazite dissolution, with extensive precipitation of secondary oxalate minerals. Biomechanical forces ensued causing aggressive bioweathering effects by tunnelling, penetration and splitting of the ore particles. High amounts of oxalic acid (~46 mM) and moderate amounts of citric acid (~5 mM) were produced in liquid media containing 2% (wt./vol.) monazite, and REE and phosphate were released. Correlation analysis suggested that citric acid was more effective than oxalic acid in REE mobilization, although the higher concentration of oxalic acid also implied complexant activity, as well as the prime role in REE‐oxalate precipitation.
The effects of foreign aid, foreign direct investment and domestic investment on economic growth in African countries: Nonlinearities and complementarities
Authors: Younsi Moheddine , Bechtini Marwa , Khemili Hasna
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the relationship between foreign aid (AID), foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic investment (DI) and its effects on economic growth in 41 African countries. Annual panel data from 1990 to 2016 are examined using fixed‐effects (FE) and system‐GMM estimators. We test the existence of nonlinearities and complementarities in the relationship between AID–FDI, AID–DI, FDI–DI, and AID–FDI–DI. Empirical results confirm the existence of a nonlinear relationship between AID, FDI, DI, and economic growth. Besides, the results show that AID and FDI have a significant positive complementing effect on economic growth. It is shown also that FDI complements DI, while the coupled effect of AID and DI remains weak in catalyzing growth. Moreover, the results indicate that the complementarity between AID–FDI–DI positively influence economic growth, revealing that AID and FDI work as a complement factor to DI and enhance its effectiveness in promoting economic growth. These insights have important policy implications. Policy‐makers in African countries are well advised to implement concrete policy measures suitable for building on the growth momentum created by foreign capital inflows, like FDI, AID as well as remittance.
Integration of dsRNA against host immune response genes augments the virulence of transgenic Metarhizium robertsii strains in insect pest species
Authors: Wang Yulong , Xie Xiangyun , Qin Li , Yu Deshui , Wang Zhangxun , Huang Bo
Published: January 2021

The slow lethality of fungal biopesticides to insects restrains their widespread application as a strategy of pest control. In this study, unary, binary and ternary transgenic Metarhizium robertsii were created by integrating genes that encode the scorpion neurotoxin BjαIT, the cuticle‐degrading protease Pr1A, and a double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) that targets host gnbp3, individually or collectively under a constitutive promoter to enhance virulence. Compared with the parental wild type, all unary transgenic strains had increased virulence against four insect species, Tenebrio molitor, Locusta migratoria, Plutella xylostella and Galleria mellonella, whereas the binary transgenic strain expressing both pr1A and BjαIT had increased virulence to T. molitor and L. migratoria, with no change in virulence against P. xylostella and G. mellonella. Importantly, all ternary transgenic strains simultaneously expressing pr1A, BjαIT, and the dsRNA specific to host gnbp3 exhibited the highest increase in insect‐specific virulence. This finding highlights a novel strategy for genetic engineering of dsRNAs that target genes associated with the host immune response alongside virulence genes to maximize fungal virulence and lethality against insect pests.
maxnodf: An R package for fair and fast comparisons of nestedness between networks
Authors: Hoeppke Christoph , Simmons Benno I.
Published: January 2021

Nestedness is a widespread pattern in mutualistic networks that has high ecological and evolutionary importance due to its role in enhancing species persistence and community stability. Nestedness measures tend to be correlated with fundamental properties of networks, such as size and connectance, and so nestedness values must be normalised to enable fair comparisons between different ecological communities. Current approaches, such as using null‐corrected nestedness values and z‐scores, suffer from extensive statistical issues. Thus a new approach called NODFc was recently proposed, where nestedness is expressed relative to network size, connectance and the maximum nestedness that could be achieved in a particular network. While this approach is demonstrably effective in overcoming the issues of collinearity with basic network properties, it is computationally intensive to calculate, and current approaches are too slow to be practical for many types of analysis, or for analysing large networks.

We developed three highly optimised algorithms, based on greedy, hill climbing and simulated annealing approaches, for calculation of NODFc, spread along a speed‐quality continuum. Users thus have the choice between a fast algorithm with a less accurate estimate, a slower algorithm with a more accurate estimate and an intermediate option.

We outline the package and its implementation, as well as provide comparative performance benchmarking and two example analyses. We show that maxnodf enables speed increases of hundreds of times faster than existing approaches, with large networks seeing the biggest improvements. For example, for a large network with 3,000 links, computation time was reduced from 50 min using the fastest existing algorithm to 11 s using maxnodf.

maxnodf makes correctly normalised nestedness measures feasible for complex analyses of even large networks. Analyses that would previously take weeks to complete can now be finished in hours or even seconds. Given evidence that correctly normalising nestedness values can significantly change the conclusions of ecological studies, we believe this package will usher in necessary widespread use of appropriate comparative nestedness statistics.
metabaR: An r package for the evaluation and improvement of DNA metabarcoding data quality
Authors: Zinger Lucie , Lionnet Clément , Benoiston Anne‐Sophie , Donald Julian , Mercier Céline , Boyer Frédéric
Published: January 2021

DNA metabarcoding is becoming the tool of choice for biodiversity assessment across taxa and environments. Yet, the artefacts present in metabarcoding datasets often preclude a proper interpretation of ecological patterns. Bioinformatic pipelines to remove experimental noise exist. However, these often only partially target produced artefacts, or are marker specific. In addition, assessments of data curation quality and chosen filtering thresholds are seldom available in existing pipelines, partly due to the lack of appropriate visualisation tools.

Here, we present metabaR, an r package that provides a comprehensive suite of tools to effectively curate DNA metabarcoding data after basic bioinformatic analyses. In particular, metabaR uses experimental negative or positive controls to identify different types of artefactual sequences, that is, contaminants and tag‐jumps. It also flags potentially dysfunctional PCRs based on PCR replicate similarities when those are available. Finally, metabaR provides tools to visualise DNA metabarcoding data characteristics in their experimental context as well as their distribution, and facilitates assessment of the appropriateness of data curation filtering thresholds.

metabaR is applicable to any DNA metabarcoding experimental design but is most powerful when the design includes experimental controls and replicates. More generally, the simplicity and flexibility of the package makes it applicable any DNA marker, and data generated with any sequencing platform, and pre‐analysed with any bioinformatic pipeline. Its outputs are easily usable for downstream analyses with any ecological r package.

metabaR complements existing bioinformatics pipelines by providing scientists with a variety of functions to effectively clean DNA metabarcoding data and avoid serious misinterpretations. It thus offers a promising platform for automatised data quality assessments of DNA metabarcoding data for environmental research and biomonitoring.
A five‐channel LED display to investigate UV perception
Authors: Powell Samuel B. , Mitchell Laurie J. , Phelan Amelia M. , Cortesi Fabio , Marshall Justin , Cheney Karen L.
Published: January 2021

The ability to see ultraviolet (UV) light (<400 nm) may have importance for foraging, communication or navigation in many taxa including insects, crustaceans, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Behavioural experiments reveal how vision mediates such behaviour; however, our knowledge of UV perception is constrained by the challenge of creating and calibrating stimuli that reflect or emit UV. Commonly used technologies for displaying visual stimuli—such as computer screens and printers—are designed for human vision and thus are unsuitable for testing UV perception.

To overcome this limitation, we designed and constructed a display with five spectral channels with peak wavelengths as follows: red at 629 nm, green at 526 nm, blue at 466 nm, violet at 395 nm and UV at 367 nm. Each pixel of the display consists of five LEDs with a baffle to prevent crosstalk from adjacent pixels and a diffuser to promote uniform colour mixing. The LEDs are driven by high‐performance pulse‐width‐modulated constant‐current drivers with a maximum flicker rate of 64 kHz and a maximum frame rate of 6.5 kHz. This method allows colour mixing with wavelengths as low as 350 nm to be calibrated and tested rapidly and concurrently.

To demonstrate the utility of this display, we conducted colour detection tests using the anemonefish, Amphiprion ocellaris, a species known to have UV‐sensitive cones. Fish were able to associate pecking all target colours (‘Blue’, ‘UV‐grey’ and ‘UV’) with a food reward, demonstrating for the first time, UV perception in A. ocellaris.

The RGB‐V‐UV LED display is a useful device for behavioural tests of colour vision across a broad spectrum (350–650 nm) visible to many animals and can be used to investigate various questions concerning animal perception, including colour discrimination and categorisation. We include design documents and source code so this system can be further developed and modified to investigate other visual behaviours in a variety of taxa.
Testing the validity of national drug surveys: comparison between a general population cohort and household surveys
Authors: Charles Hannah , Heron Jon , Hickman Matthew , Brown Jamie , Hines Lindsey
Published: January 2021

Background and Aims

There are concerns that national population‐based estimates of illicit drug use are underestimated. We investigated this by comparing estimates of illicit substance use at age 24 from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) with a birth cohort (Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, ALSPAC) and by comparing the Smoking and Alcohol Toolkit Studies (STS/ATS) to ALSPAC.

Design

Cross‐sectional household survey and cross‐sectional data from one wave of a longitudinal birth cohort.

Setting

England and Wales.

Participants

Young adults aged 23–25 reporting on substance use in 2017 to CSEW (n = 1165), ALSPAC (n = 3389) and STS/ATS (n = 950).

Measurements

Lifetime and past‐year illicit drug use, smoking status and hazardous drinking at age 24.

Findings

The 2017 CSEW estimate of lifetime illicit drug use was 40.6%, compared with 62.8% in ALSPAC (risk difference % [RD%] = 22.2%; 95% CI = 18.9–25.5%; P ≤ 0.001). The RD in lifetime use between ALSPAC and the CSEW was 23.2% (95% CI = 20.0–26.4%) for cannabis, 16.9% (95% CI = 14.4–19.4%) for powder cocaine and 24.8% (95% CI = 22.6–27.0%) for amphetamine. Past‐year drug use was 16.4% in CSEW, compared with 36.7% in ALSPAC (RD% = 20.3%; 95% CI = 17.6–23.0%; P ≤ 0.001). For past‐year substance use, the RD between ALSPAC and the CSEW was 15.4% (95% CI = 12.9–17.9%) for cannabis, 14.8% (95% CI = 13.0%–16.6%) for powder cocaine and 15.9% (95% CI = 14.5–17.4%) for amphetamine. Levels of current smoking were similar between STS (27.4%) and ALSPAC (29.4%). Hazardous drinking was substantially higher in ALSPAC (60.3%) than the ATS (32.1%; RD% = 28.2%; 95% CI = 24.8–31.6%; P ≤ 0.001).

Conclusions

The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children provides one source of validation for measurements of drug use in government household surveys and indicates that illicit drug use may be underestimated in the Crime Survey for England and Wales.
Longitudinal study of intravenous versus subcutaneous immunoglobulin replacement therapy in hematological malignancy
Authors: Windegger Tanja M , English Janine , Weston Helen , Morwood Karen , Kynn Mary , Scuffham Paul , Fung Yoke‐Lin
Published: January 2021

Aim

To present findings from a longitudinal study on infection risk, mortality, and patient perspective of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) and subcutaneous immunoglobulin (SCIg) treatment for patients with hypogammaglobulinemia secondary to hematological malignancy or its treatment (abbreviated as SID).

Methods

Observational study period included final year of IVIg (13 patients) and of the first 3 years of SCIg (17 patients) with SID. Data were collected on clinical outcomes from medical records and patient perception via study specific questionnaire.

Results

The median age was 63 years (53‐76 years), and for 82.4% of patients their hematological malignancy was in complete remission. The annual mean serum IgG trough levels remained stable over the 4 years and were 7.0 g/L (±2.77 g/L) with IVIg, and 8.0 g/L (±1.75 g/L), 8.7 g/L (±2.75 g/L), and 7.6 g/L (±2.89 g/L) (year 1, 2, and 3, respectively) with SCIg. While the annual infection rate was similar, the rate of hospitalization due to infection fluctuated, with 37%, 9%, 15%, and 32% in year 1, 2, 3, and 4 respectively. There were no systemic adverse events with IVIg or SCIg. Patients reported a strong preference for SCIg. One patient died due to progression of underlying disease and infection within the study period.

Conclusion

SCIg was the preferred treatment mode over IVIg in our cohort, but both were well tolerated without any systemic adverse events in 4‐year follow up. The dosage and serum IgG levels were stable throughout. However, the number of infections requiring hospitalization fluctuated. It is anticipated that these findings encourage more hospitals to offer SCIg for SID patients.
A rare case of epithelial‐myoepithelial carcinoma arising from pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland
Authors: Van Rooij Nicholas , Newman Alexander , Sullivan Timothy
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Epithelial‐myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a low‐grade salivary gland tumour which is very rarely reported in the lacrimal gland. Hybrid carcinomas such as EMC, defined by Seifert and Donath (1996),1 comprise two histological subtypes of carcinoma within the same topographic field. Hybrid tumours constitute <1% of all salivary gland tumours, with only eight previous documented cases of lacrimal gland EMC reported in the literature.2 The diagnosis of EMC is histological, demonstrating a biphasic dual morphology of luminal cuboidal ductal epithelial cells and outer myoepithelial cells with clear cytoplasm.1,2

Methods/Results

We describe the case of a 92‐year‐old transgender man that presented with progressively worsening left‐sided headaches, eye pain and with a clinical enlargement of the left lacrimal region. The patient underwent superior‐lateral orbitotomy with excisional biopsy of the left lacrimal gland and was found to have EMC arising from a pleomorphic adenoma, which was subsequently managed with adjuvant rotation therapy.

Conclusions

Patient prognostication and optimal management of these tumours provide a challenge for clinicians due to their inherent rarity. We describe the first case of EMC arising within a pleomorphic adenoma in the Australian population.

References

1. Seifert G, Donath K. Hybrid tumours of salivary glands. Definition and classification of five rare cases. European Journal Of Cancer Part B, Oral Oncology 1996; 32B: 251‐259.

Li E, Distefano A, Sinard J, Wong A, Pointdujour‐Lim R. Epithelial‐myoepithelial carcinoma presenting as a pseudo veno‐lymphatic malformation. Ophthalmic Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery 2018; 34: e157‐e60.
New data in a mouse model of spontaneous choroidal neovascularisation support the role of angiopoietin‐2 inhibition in driving sustained vascular stabilisation and reduced fibrosis progression
Authors: Canonica Jérémie , Uhles Sabine , Foxton Richard , Revelant Franco , Cole Nadine , Westenkow Peter , Scheidl Stefan , Ullmer Christoph
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To explore the vessel stabilisation potential of dual angiopoietin‐2 (Ang‐2)/vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A) inhibition in a mouse model of spontaneous choroidal neovascularisation (sCNV) in the context of phase 2 clinical data on faricimab, a bispecific antibody that binds to and neutralises both Ang‐2 and VEGF‐A.

Methods

Seven‐week‐old JR5558 mice, developing sCNV in both eyes, were treated intraperitoneally with mouse cross‐reactive tool antibodies against Ang‐2, VEGF‐A, or both (bispecific antibody VA2); n = 7–15 mice per group. Fluorescein angiography (FA)‐evaluated CNV leakage and fibronectin (fibrosis marker) deposition on the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)/choroid and around CNV lesions were assessed at baseline and 1 (PT1), 3 (PT2) and 5 weeks (PT3) post treatment to assess the effects on CNV lesion activity relative to untreated/IgG‐exposed mice.

Results

Anti‐Ang‐2‐, anti‐VEGF‐A‐ and VA2‐treated mice showed a significant reduction in CNV leakage (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) versus controls at PT1, maintained only in anti‐Ang‐2‐ and VA2‐treated mice at PT2/3 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.0001). Lesions treated with anti‐VEGF alone showed reactivation on FA at PT2. The area of fibronectin staining on RPE/choroid and around lesions was significantly reduced with VA2 (38%; p < 0.01) and anti‐Ang‐2 (41%; p < 0.001) versus IgG control at PT1; the effect of VEGF‐A inhibition alone was not significant. At PT2 and PT3, only VA2 inhibition showed significant reduction in fibronectin staining over both control groups (by 47%; p < 0.01 and 54%; p < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusions

Faricimab's potential for extended durability observed in phase 2 clinical trials was further explored in a mouse model of sCNV. CNV leakage and fibronectin staining around CNV lesions were suppressed for longer with dual Ang‐2/VEGF‐A inhibition versus VEGF‐A alone. These findings support the hypothesis that the sustained efficacy of faricimab observed in phase 2 trials is due to vessel‐stabilising effects driven by Ang‐2 inhibition.
Intravitreal dexamethasone implant combined with bevacizumab versus intravitreal bevacizumab for diabetic macular edema
Authors: Gong Yeseul , Kang Kuidong
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To compare the visual and anatomical outcomes of intravitreal bevacizumab combined with the dexamethasone intravitreal implant and bevacizumab monotherapy in eyes with diabetic macular edema

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 41 eyes of 41 patients with diabetic macular edema who underwent either intravitreal bevacizumab (1.25 mg) (20 eyes, IVB group) injection alone or simultaneous injection of bevacizumab (1.25 mg) and dexamethasone implant (0.7 mg) (21 eyes, IVD group). The best‐corrected visual acuity, central macular thickness (CMT), intraocular pressure, and retreatment percentages were accessed for 1, 3, and 6 months after injection

Results

At 3 and 6 months, best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) showed significant improvements in the IVD group compared to the baseline. No significant improvement of the BCVA was observed in the IVB group during the initial 3 months; however, BCVA in this group at 6 months was significantly improved compared to baseline. There was a significant improvement in CMT in IVD group compared to IVB group during the first 3 months. In IVD group, CMT was 264.39 ± 54.95 µm at 1 month after initial injection while that of IVB group was 349.00 ± 112.18 µm (p = 0.011). At 3 months, CMT in the IVD group significantly improved compared to that of IVB group (p < 0.001). The average number of additional intravitreal injections during 6 months follow‐up period was 0.45 in the IVD group and 1.15 in the IVB group. In the IVD group, cortical (7%) and posterior subcapsular (15%) cataract developed by 2 grades or more during the follow‐up period in phakic eyes.

Conclusions

In patients with diabetic macular edema, simultaneous therapy combining a dexamethasone implant plus bevacizumab showed significant improvement in the visual acuity and CMT during the initial 3 months, and the number of additional intravitreal injections were less in combined treated group.
Detection and clinical course of choroidal neovascularization in central serous chorioretinopathy
Authors: Kim Raeyoung , Park Young‐Hoon
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The objective of this study was to observe the detection of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) after central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) diagnosis and to determine whether clinical features and prognosis differ in CNV eyes from chronic CSC after CNV detection.

Methods

The medical records of 30 eyes of 30 patients with CSC were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The presence of CNV was diagnosed using fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), or optical coherent tomography angiography (OCTA). The time of initial symptom diagnosis and the period from the diagnosis of CSC to the detection of CNV were estimated based on the medical records. We observed the clinical change pattern by measuring the best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) for one year since the detection of CNV.

Results

The average period until CNV detection was 24.18 ± 29.43 months (mean ± standard deviation) from the initial symptom initiation and 20.10 ± 28.49 months from the first diagnosis of CSC. The CMT significantly decreased in patients with CSC in the one‐year follow‐up after CNV detection (p = 0.01), but no statistically significant changes were found in BCVA and SFCT.

Conclusions

In CSC patients, CNV detection was observed earlier than previously reported, and after CNV detection, there was no rapid deterioration of visual acuity or clinical features.
Swept‐source optical coherence tomography angiography findings in hypertensive chorioretinopathy
Authors: Braham Imene Zhioua , Kaouel Hela , Ammous Imen , Boukari Mejdi , Zhioua Raja
Published: January 2021

Purpose

To study malignant hypertension ocular findings with swept source optical coherence tomography (SS‐OCT) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT‐A).

Methods

In this retrospective study, we included patients with malignant hypertension associated to hypertensive chorioretinopathy. Clinical characteristics with multimodal imaging including SS‐OCT and OCT‐A were evaluated at baseline and during follow‐up.

Results

Seventeen eyes of nine patients were included. Fundus examination revealed signs of hypertensive chorioretinopathy in all cases. At baseline, SS‐OCT showed serous retinal detachment in 7 eyes, macular edema in 15 eyes and hard exudates in 13 eyes. Central macular thickness was 403.33 ± 257.92 µm at baseline and 261.08 ± 62.43 µm after 3 months of mean follow‐up (p = 0.05). Central choroidal thickness decreased from 352.06 ± 87.62 µm at baseline to 319.58 ± 80.66 µm after follow‐up (p > 0.05). On OCT‐A, all patients showed nonperfusion capillary areas at the level of the superficial and deep capillary plexuses. The choriocapillaris layer showed dark areas corresponding to a shadowing effect of retinal lesions and flow voids corresponding to focal ischemia. During follow‐up, there was a partial reperfusion of the retinal layers and the choriocapillaris with persistence of ischemic areas.

Conclusions

OCTA clearly visualizes ischemic changes in the retinal layers and in the choriocapillaris in hypertensive chorioretinopathy. During follow‐up, OCTA showed incomplete reperfusion of the retinal layers and the choriocapillaris.
Identification of characteristic subepithelial surface granulomatosis in immune‐related adverse event‐associated enterocolitis
Authors: Kubo Terufumi , Hirohashi Yoshihiko , Keira Yoshiko , Akimoto Mayuko , Ikeda Tatsuru , Kikuchi Noriaki , Iwaki Hiroyuki , Kikuchi Tomoki , Obata Masahiko , Morita Rena , Kasai Kiyoshi , Segawa Keiko , Tsukahara Tomohide , Kanaseki Takayuki , Murata Kenji , Kikuchi Yasuhiro , Shinkawa Tomoyo , Hasegawa Tadashi , Torigoe Toshihiko
Published: January 2021

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have provided an additional treatment option for various types of human cancers. However, ICIs often induce various immune‐related adverse events (irAEs). Enterocolitis is a major irAE with poorly understood histopathological characteristics. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the histopathology of colon tissue samples from 17 patients treated with ICIs. There were two major histological patterns of colitis: an ulcerative colitis‐like pattern and a graft vs host disease‐like pattern. Although these two patterns of colitis were mutually exclusive, both patterns often showed a characteristic that we call “subepithelial surface granulomatosis” (SSG), which has not been reported in other types of colitis. SSG was found even in colon tissue without symptoms or endoscopic findings of colitis. Given the increasing reports of sarcoid reaction or exacerbation of tuberculosis after treatment with ICIs, granuloma formation could be a histological hallmark of systemic immune activation by ICIs. Although statistical significance was not obtained, probably because of the small sample size, SSG may be a surrogate biomarker of systemic anticancer immune activation. We propose that a prospective study with larger sample size be performed.
An Illusion of Self‐Sufficiency for Learning About Artifacts in Scaffolded Learners, But Not Observers
Authors: Richardson Emory , Sheskin Mark , Keil Frank C.
Published: January 2021

Two studies ask whether scaffolded children (n = 243, 5–6 years and 9–10 years) recognize that assistance is needed to learn to use complex artifacts. In Study 1, children were asked to learn to use a toy pantograph. While children recognized the need for assistance for indirect knowledge, 70% of scaffolded children claimed that they would have learned to use the artifact without assistance, even though 0% of children actually succeeded without assistance. In Study 2, this illusion of self‐sufficiency was significantly attenuated when observing another learner being scaffolded. Learners may fail to appreciate artifacts’ opacity because self‐directed exploration can be partially informative, such that learning to use artifacts is typically scaffolded instead of taught explicitly.
Obesity and polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Barber Thomas M. , Franks Stephen
Published: January 2021

The increased global prevalence of obesity over the last 40‐years has driven a rise in prevalence of obesity‐related co‐morbidities, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). On a background of genetic susceptibility, PCOS often becomes clinically manifest following weight gain, commonly during adolescence. A common endocrinopathy affecting between 6%‐10% of reproductive‐age women, PCOS presents with the cardinal features of hyperandrogenism, reproductive and metabolic dysfunction. PCOS associates with insulin resistance, independently of (but amplified by) obesity. Insulin resistance in PCOS is characterized by abnormal post‐receptor signalling within the phosphatidylinositol‐kinase (PI3‐K) pathway. Multiple factors (including most notably, weight gain) contribute towards the severity of insulin resistance in PCOS. Compensatory hyperinsulinaemia ensues, resulting in over‐stimulation of the (intact) post‐receptor mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAP‐K) insulin pathway, with consequent implications for steroidogenesis and ovarian function. In this concise review, we explore the effects of weight gain and obesity on the pathogenesis of PCOS from the perspective of its three cardinal features of hyperandrogenism, reproductive and metabolic dysfunction, with a focus on the central mediating role of the insulin pathway. We also consider key lifestyle strategies for the effective management of obese and overweight women with PCOS.
Exosomes from adipose‐derived stem cells and application to skin wound healing
Authors: An Yang , Lin Shuyan , Tan Xiaojie , Zhu Shiou , Nie Fangfei , Zhen Yonghuan , Gu Luosha , Zhang Chunlei , Wang Baicheng , Wei Wei , Li Dong , Wu Junhao
Published: January 2021

Skin wound healing is an intractable problem that represents an urgent clinical need. To solve this problem, a large number of studies have focused on the use of exosomes (EXOs) derived from adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs). This review describes the mechanisms whereby ADSCs‐EXOs regulate wound healing and their clinical application. In the wound, ADSCs‐EXOs modulate immune responses and inflammation. They also promote angiogenesis, accelerate proliferation and re‐epithelization of skin cells, and regulate collagen remodelling which inhibits scar hyperplasia. Compared with ADSCs therapeutics, ADSCs‐EXOs have highly stability and are easily stored. Additionally, they are not rejected by the immune system and have a homing effect and their dosage can be easily controlled. ADSCs‐EXOs can improve fat grafting and promote wound healing in patients with diabetes mellitus. They can also act as a carrier and combined scaffold for treatment, leading to scarless cutaneous repair. Overall, ADSCs‐EXOs have the potential to be used in the clinic to promote wound healing.
Large carnivore expansion in Europe is associated with human population density and land cover changes
Authors: Cimatti Marta , Ranc Nathan , Benítez‐López Ana , Maiorano Luigi , Boitani Luigi , Cagnacci Francesca , Čengić Mirza , Ciucci Paolo , Huijbregts Mark A. J. , Krofel Miha , López‐Bao José Vicente , Selva Nuria , Andren Henrik , Bautista Carlos , Ćirović Duško , Hemmingmoore Heather , Reinhardt Ilka , Marenče Miha , Mertzanis Yorgos , Pedrotti Luca , Trbojević Igor , Zetterberg Andreas , Zwijacz‐Kozica Tomasz , Santini Luca
Published: January 2021

Aim

The recent recovery of large carnivores in Europe has been explained as resulting from a decrease in human persecution driven by widespread rural land abandonment, paralleled by forest cover increase and the consequent increase in availability of shelter and prey. We investigated whether land cover and human population density changes are related to the relative probability of occurrence of three European large carnivores: the grey wolf (Canis lupus), the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and the brown bear (Ursus arctos).

Location

Europe, west of 64° longitude.

Methods

We fitted multi‐temporal species distribution models using >50,000 occurrence points with time series of land cover, landscape configuration, protected areas, hunting regulations and human population density covering a 24‐year period (1992–2015). Within the temporal window considered, we then predicted changes in habitat suitability for large carnivores throughout Europe.

Results

Between 1992 and 2015, the habitat suitability for the three species increased in Eastern Europe, the Balkans, North‐West Iberian Peninsula and Northern Scandinavia, but showed mixed trends in Western and Southern Europe. These trends were primarily associated with increases in forest cover and decreases in human population density, and, additionally, with decreases in the cover of mosaics of cropland and natural vegetation.

Main conclusions

Recent land cover and human population changes appear to have altered the habitat suitability pattern for large carnivores in Europe, whereas protection level did not play a role. While projected changes largely match the observed recovery of large carnivore populations, we found mismatches with the recent expansion of wolves in Central and Southern Europe, where factors not included in our models may have played a dominant role. This suggests that large carnivores’ co‐existence with humans in European landscapes is not limited by habitat availability, but other factors such as favourable human tolerance and policy.
Microbial memories: Sex‐dependent impact of the gut microbiome on hippocampal plasticity
Authors: Darch Henry T. , Collins Michael K. , O’Riordan Kenneth J. , Cryan John F.
Published: January 2021

Germ‐free rodents, raised in the absence of a measurable gut microbiome, have been a key model to study the microbiome‐gut‐brain axis. Germ‐free mice exhibit marked behavioural and neurochemical differences to their conventionally raised counterparts. It is as yet unclear how these neurochemical differences lead to the behavioural differences. Here, we test the electrophysiological properties of hippocampal plasticity in adult germ‐free mice and compare them to conventionally raised counterparts. Whilst basal synaptic efficacy and pre‐synaptic short‐term plasticity appear normal, we find a striking alteration of hippocampal long‐term potentiation specifically in male germ‐free slices. However, the spike output of these neurons remains normal along with altered input‐output coupling, potentially indicating homeostatic compensatory mechanisms, or an altered excitation/inhibition balance. To our knowledge this is the first time the electrophysiological properties of the hippocampus have been assessed in a microbiome deficient animal. Our data indicate that the absence of a microbiome alters integration of dendritic signalling in the CA1 region in mice.
Diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment decisions for tooth wear in daily practice: a case presentation survey among Belgian dentists
Authors: Kanaan Mireille , Brabant Alain , Hara Anderson T. , Carvalho Joana C.
Published: January 2021

This survey assessed the use of current concepts for tooth wear diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment decisions in daily practice, and identified factors of significance for treatment decisions. A total of 104 dentists were presented with 10 cases representing varying degrees of tooth wear. The dentists were asked to answer six questions pertaining to the diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment of each case. A benchmark was established by three experts and the agreement between dentists and the benchmark was calculated. At dentition level, the agreement was moderate for diagnosis (κ = 0.55) and risk assessment (κ = 0.54). At tooth/surface level, the agreement for clinical and radiographic severity of wear was moderate (κ = 0.57) and substantial (κ = 0.65), respectively. The agreement for treatment decision was fair (κ = 0.35). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that treatment decisions for operative treatment were associated with moderate to high case risk (OR = 10.1; 95% CI: 5.4–18.9). Belgian dentists performed reasonably well in applying current concepts and strategies for tooth wear diagnosis and risk assessments at dentition level, as well as for assessment of wear severity at tooth/surface level. Improvement is warranted concerning treatment decisions. This survey could be a useful tool for disseminating and improving current knowledge of tooth wear, and for training dentists in daily practice.
The role of PARP1 in neurodegenerative diseases and aging
Authors: Mao Kanmin , Zhang Guo
Published: January 2021

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), are characterized by progressive memory loss and motor impairment. Aging is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Neurodegenerative diseases and aging often develop in an irreversible manner and cause a significant socioeconomic burden. When considering their pathogenesis, many studies usually focus on mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage. More recently, neuroinflammation, autophagy dysregulation, and SIRT1 inactivation were shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and aging. In addition, studies uncovered the role of poly (ADP‐ribose)‐polymerase‐1 (PARP1) in neurodegenerative diseases and aging. PARP1 links to a cluster of stress signals, including those originated by inflammation and autophagy dysregulation. In this review, we summarized the recent research progresses on PARP1 in neurodegenerative diseases and aging, with an emphasis on the relationship among PARP1, neuroinflammation, mitochondria, and autophagy. We discussed the possibilities of treating neurodegenerative diseases and aging through targeting PARP1.
The dark side of shareholder litigation: Evidence from corporate takeovers
Authors: Chu Yongqiang , Zhao Yijia (Eddie)
Published: January 2021

Exploiting staggered adoption of the universal demand (UD) laws by 23 states between 1989 and 2005 that makes filing shareholder derivative litigations more difficult, we show that reduced litigation threats improve corporate takeover efficiency. Using a difference‐in‐differences approach, we find that acquirers experience higher announcement returns and better postmerger operating performance after the UD laws. Further analysis suggests that acquirers make suboptimal merger decisions to avoid litigation. Taken together, we show that litigation risk can distort managers’ incentives and destroy value ex ante.
Space‐for‐time inferences about range‐edge dynamics of tree species can be influenced by sampling biases
Authors: Ni Ming , Vellend Mark
Published: January 2021

Differences between the distributions of tree saplings and adults in geographic or niche space have been used to infer climate change effects on tree range dynamics. Previous studies have reported narrower latitudinal or climatic niche ranges of juvenile trees compared to adults, concluding that tree ranges are contracting, contradicting climate‐based predictions. However, more comprehensive sampling of adult trees than juvenile trees in most regional forest inventories could potentially bias ontogenetic comparisons. Here we first report spatial simulations showing that reduced sampling intensity can result in underestimates of range and niche limits, but that resampling the same number of individuals of different life stages can eliminate this bias. We then reanalyzed the U.S. Forest Inventory and Analysis data, comparing the range and niche limits between adult trees and saplings of 92 tree species, both using the original data and two resampling procedures. Resampling aimed to reduce sampling biases by controlling for either sampling area or the number of individuals sampled. Overall, these resampling procedures had a major influence on the estimation of range limits, most often by reducing, eliminating, or even reversing the tendency in the original analyses for saplings to have broader distributions than adult trees. These results indicate that previous conclusions that the distributions of juvenile trees were contracting in response to climate change were potentially artifacts of sampling in the underlying data. More generally, sampling effects involved in the estimation of geographic ranges and environmental niche widths need to be taken into account in studies comparing different life stages, and also likely in other types of distribution comparisons.
Rensch’s rule—Definitions and statistics
Authors: Meiri Shai , Liang Tao
Published: January 2021

Issue

Sexual size dimorphism is thought to vary in a predictable manner with overall body size, a pattern named “Rensch's rule”. The rule is thought to suggest different predictions for taxa with female‐ and male‐biased dimorphism. This leaves taxa where both types of dimorphism are common in limbo. Rensch's rule is usually estimated using the reduced major axis (RMA) slope of a regression of male size on female size. A slope steeper than one shows support for the rule.

Evidence

We show that the predictions of Rensch's rule for male‐ and female‐biased taxa are, in fact, the same and offer a unified definition of the rule. Using numerical examples and data from the literature, we show that RMA and ordinary least squares (OLS) methods of line fitting can produce conflicting results, suggesting that RMA is a less conservative way to test the rule.

Conclusion

We recommend that both line‐fitting methods are used to estimate Rensch's rule, with strong support being claimed only when the results of both agree with each other. Alternatively, we suggest that tests are conducted in a way that agrees with the definition of the rule (i.e., that size dimorphism is regressed on the mean size of males and females of the species).
Performance evaluation of coaguchek pro II in comparison with coaguchek XS plus and sta‐r Max using a sta‐neoplastine CI plus
Authors: Nam Minjeong , Hur Mina , Kim Hanah , Yoon Sumi , Lee Seungho , Shin Seonhyeon , Moon Hee‐Won , Yun Yeo‐Min
Published: January 2021

Introduction

We evaluated the analytical performance of CoaguChek Pro II (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany), a new point‐of‐care device measuring the international normalized ratio (INR) values, in comparison with CoaguChek XS Plus (Roche Diagnostics GmbH) and STA‐R Max using STA‐Neoplastine CI Plus (Diagnostica Stago SAS, Asnières‐sur‐Seine, France).

Methods

The precision of Pro II was analyzed, according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines (CLSI POCT14‐A2 and EP15‐A3). In 105 clinical samples, the Pro II INR values were compared with those of XS Plus and STA‐R Max using STA‐Neoplastine CI Plus (CLSI EP09‐A3 and EP35). We also compared the Pro II INR values between capillary blood (CB) and venous blood (VB; CLSI EP35).

Results

The precision of Pro II was acceptable (within‐run and between‐run CV%: 2.71% and 3.28% at normal level; 1.52% and 4.47% at abnormal level, respectively). The Pro II INR values showed very high correlation and almost perfect agreement with those of XS Plus and STA‐R Max using STA‐Neoplastine CI Plus (r = .97 and κ = .94; r = .95 and κ = .91). The mean difference between Pro II and STA‐R Max using STA‐Neoplastine CI Plus increased as INR values increased, with 60% of samples showing differences >0.5 in the supratherapeutic range. The Pro II INR values showed very high correlation between CB and VB (r = .98).

Conclusion

Pro II INR values are accurate and reliable using both CB and VB; however, they should be confirmed by laboratory analyzers in the supratherapeutic range.