bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geographic changes in pollinator species composition affect the corolla tube length of self‐heal (Prunella vulgarisL.): Evidence from three elevational gradients
Authors: Egawa Shin , Hirose Koyo , Itino Takao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGeographic difference in pollinator fauna and variation in average pollinator size may lead to local adaptations of flower size that enhance pollen transfer efficiency. Here, we show that flower size (corolla tube length) ofPrunella vulgarisvaries both laterally and along elevational gradients, in parallel with local pollinator proboscis length. We measured geographic variation in corolla tube length and leaf length ofP. vulgaris, and in proboscis length of its bumblebee pollinators, in 12 populations on three different mountains. In estimating pollinator proboscis length, we considered both the average proboscis length of each bumblebee species and the species composition of bumblebees visitingP. vulgarisflowers. We then ascertained whether pollinator proboscis length, elevation itself, or resource availability (indicated by leaf length) correlated with corolla tube length. We found that the local pollinator species composition varied along elevation and among mountain areas, and this variation corresponded to geographic variation in the average pollinator proboscis length. Similarly, corolla tube length ofP. vulgarisvaried along elevation and among mountain areas. We found that the corolla tube length variation was not associated with elevation itself or local resource availability but was strongly associated with local pollinator average proboscis length. Although corolla tube length was generally shorter at higher elevation, it was relatively longer in some high‐elevation populations, where bumblebees having long proboscis length (Bombus consobrinusandB. diversus) visited the flowers. Therefore, parallel changes inP. vulgariscorolla tube length and pollinator proboscis length occur across a wide geographic region in central Japan.
Fingerprint Comparison and Adversarialism: The Scientific and Historical Evidence
Authors: Edmond Gary , Cunliffe Emma , Hamer David 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis article suggests that lawyers and courts are largely oblivious to scientific insights regarding the value and limitations of latent fingerprint evidence. It proceeds through a detailed historical analysis of the way fingerprint evidence has been reported and challenged. It compares legal responses with mainstream scientific research. Our analysis shows that fingerprint evidence is routinely equated with categorical proof of identity notwithstanding scientific warnings that such an approach is ‘indefensible’. We find that legal challenges to latent fingerprint evidence have been uniformly focused on adjectival issues (e.g. compliance with enabling legislation), leaving the validity and accuracy of this subjective comparison technique virtually unexamined since its first reception at the very beginning of the twentieth century. Lack of legal engagement with validity, error and scientific research suggest that adversarial procedures have not worked effectively to secure scientifically reliable expert evidence and that legal personnel struggle with elementary scientific reasoning.
Association between Medicaid expansion, dental coverage policies for adults, and children's receipt of preventive dental services
Authors: Khouja Tumader , Burgette Jacqueline M. , Donohue Julie M. , Roberts Eric T. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo examine whether low‐income children's use of preventive dental services is linked to variation in state Medicaid policies that affect parents' access to dental care in Medicaid.Data SourcesMedical Expenditure Panel Survey (2011‐2016), Area Health Resources File, and Medicaid adult dental coverage policies.Study DesignWe conducted a quasi‐experimental analysis using linked parent‐child dyads in low‐income families (≤125 percent of the Federal Poverty Level). We assessed whether expansions of Medicaid to low‐income adults under the Affordable Care Act were associated with increases in the use of preventive dental services among low‐income children when state Medicaid programs did vs did not cover these services for adults.Principal FindingsOver the study period, 37.8 percent of low‐income children received at least one annual preventive dental visit. We found no change in children's receipt of preventive dental care associated with Medicaid expansions in states that covered (1.26 percentage points; 95% CI: −3.74 to 6.27) vs did not cover preventive dental services for adults (3.03 percentage points; 95% CI: −2.76 to 8.81). (differential change: −1.76 percentage points; 95% CI: −8.09, 4.56). However, our estimates are imprecise, with wide confidential intervals that are unable to rule out sizable effects in either direction.ConclusionWe did not find an association between Medicaid expansions with concurrent coverage of preventive dental services for adults and children's use of these services. Factors other than parental access to dental benefits through Medicaid may be more salient determinants of preventive dental care use among low‐income children.
Effect of bevacizumab and everolimus combination treatment on peritoneal sclerosis in an experimental rat model
Authors: Acıkgoz Mert Gizem Sultan , Ceri Mevlut , Calli Demirkan Nese , Sahin Barbaros , Mert Mehmet , Dursun Belda 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate whether bevacizumab and everolimus combination therapy is superior to bevacizumab treatment alone as a treatment for peritoneal sclerosis. Forty Wistar albino rats were divided into five equal groups. The control group received isotonic saline solution (2 mL/day) intraperitoneal (IP) daily for 3 weeks. The CG group received 2 mL 0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) and 15% ethanol dissolved in saline IP daily for 3 weeks. Peritoneal tissue samples were taken at the end of 3 weeks. The resting group received CG (weeks 0‐3), plus isotonic saline solution (2 mL/day) IP daily and tap water (2 mL/day) via a feeding tube daily (weeks 3‐6).The bevacizumab group received CG (weeks 1‐3) plus bevacizumab at 2.5 mg/kg/day (2 mL) IP daily and tap water (2 mL/day) via a feeding tube daily (weeks 3‐6). The bevacizumab+everolimus group received CG (weeks 1‐3) plus bevacizumab at 2.5 mg/kg/day (2 mL) IP daily and everolimus at 0.3 mg/kg/day (2 mL) via a feeding tube daily (weeks 3‐6). Peritoneal tissue samples were taken from these three groups at the end of 6 weeks and were examined after staining with hematoxylin‐eosin and Masson's trichrome. Inflammation, vasculopathy, fibrosis, and peritoneal thickness were evaluated under light microscopy. The samples were also stained with anti‐TGF‐β and anti‐MMP‐2. Inflammation and vasculopathy scores were significantly decreased in the VEGF‐i group compared to the CG group. The addition of everolimus to VEGF‐i showed significantly lower inflammation, vasculopathy, fibrosis scores, and an evident decrease in peritoneal thickening (respectively, 2.29 ± 0.76 vs 0.57 ± 0.53, P = .003; 2.71 ± 0.76 vs 1.43 ± 0.53, P = .008; 2.57 ± 0.79 vs 1.57 ± 0.79, P = .04; 247.5 ± 136.1 vs 84.5 ± 48.6, P = .048). MMP‐2 levels were lower in the combination group compared to the resting group (2.63 ± 0.74 vs 1.86 ± 0.38, P = .019). The study results demonstrated that bevacizumab and everolimus combination therapy was more effective than bevacizumab therapy alone.
Correlation of extracellular polymeric substances and microbial community structure in denitrification biofilm exposed to adverse conditions
Authors: Wang Shuo , Zhi Liling , Shan Wei , Lu Hui , Xu Qiao , Li Ji 
Published: July 2020

SummaryMicrobial community may respond to different adverse conditions and result in the variation of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in denitrification biofilm; this study discovered the role of EPS in accordance with the analysis of cyclic diguanylate (c‐di‐GMP) and electron equilibrium (EE) under low organic loading rate, shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions. Good nitrate removal performance could be achieved under shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions; however, owing to the low organic loading rate, the carbon source was preferentially utilized for biomass growth. Tightly bound EPS (TB‐EPS) contents progressively increased and facilitated cell adhesion and biofilm formation. The stable TB protein (TB‐PN) content in TB‐EPS built a cross‐linked network to maintain internal biofilm structure and led to the rapid biosynthesis of polysaccharides, which could further enhance microbial adhesion and improve nitrate removal. C‐di‐GMP played an important role in biomass retention and biofilm formation, based on the correlation analysis of c‐di‐GMP and EPS. TB polysaccharide (TB‐PS) contents presented a significant positive correlation with c‐di‐GMP content, microbial adhesion and biofilm stabilization was further enhanced through c‐di‐GMP regulation. In addition, a remarkable negative correlation between electron deletion rate (EDR) and TB‐PN and TB‐PS was discovered, and TB‐PS was required to serve as energy source to enhance denitrification according to EE analysis. Surprisingly, dynamic microbial community was observed due to the drastic community succession under low temperature conditions, and the discrepancy between the dominant species for denitrification was found under shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions. The notable increase in bacterial strains Simlicispira, Pseudomonas and Chryseobacterium was conducive to biofilm formation and denitrification under shock organic loading rate, while Dechloromonas and Zoogloea dramatically enriched for nitrate removal under low temperature conditions. The high abundance of Dechloromonas improved the secretion of EPS through the downstream signal transduction, and the c‐di‐GMP conserved in Pseudomonas concurrently facilitated to enhance exopolysaccharide production to shock organic loading rate and low temperature conditions.
Clinical features and long‐term outcomes of Chinese patients with scleroderma renal crisis
Authors: Zhou Jiaxin , Hou Yong , Wang Qian , Li Mengtao , Zeng Xiaofeng , Xu Dong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the clinical features, treatments, and long‐term outcomes of Chinese patients with scleroderma renal crisis (SRC).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical and laboratory data of 538 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) at our center from January 2009 to December 2016, including 29 SRC and 509 SSc without SRC patients. The treatments and long‐term outcomes of patients with SRC were also retrospectively analyzed.ResultsThe prevalence of SRC was 5.4% in our cohort. Male gender (odds ratio [OR] =4.194 [95% CI 1.494‐11.773]), glucocorticoid exposure (OR = 3.666 [1.484‐9.056]), pericardial effusion (OR = 11.180 [4.515‐27.681]), and myocardial involvement (OR = 7.958 [1.664‐38.064]) were associated with an increased risk of development of SRC. Despite the wide use of angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors, the permanent dialysis rate of patients with SRC was 48.3%. Sixteen patients died during follow‐up, and the estimated 1‐ and 5‐year survival rates of patients with SRC were 62.1% and 47.3%, respectively. Withdrawal of dialysis (5 patients) and myocardial complications (3 patients) were the main causes of death in patients with SRC. Patients with serum creatinine level >500 µmol/L before treatment (log rank test 5.051, P = 0.025) and/or those who needed dialysis at the onset of SRC (log rank test 12.870, P < 0.001) showed poorer prognosis.ConclusionSRC is a rare but severe complication in patients with SSc. Male gender, glucocorticoid exposure, pericardial effusion, and myocardial involvement were risk factors in the development of SRC. Withdrawal of dialysis and myocardial complications were the main causes of death in Chinese patients with SRC.
Effect of genetic variation in Notch regulator DTX1 on SCLC prognosis compared with the effect on NSCLC prongosis
Authors: Yoo Seung Soo , Lee Jang Hyuck , Hong Mi Jeong , Choi Jin Eun , Kang Hyo‐Gyoung , Do Sook Kyung , Kim Ji Hyun , Baek Sun Ah , Choi Sun Ha , Lee Won Kee , Lee Yong Hoon , Seo Hyewon , Lee Jaehee , Lee Shin Yup , Cha Seung Ick , Kim Chang Ho , Park Jae Yong 
Published: July 2020

Deltex‐1 (DTX1) is a negative regulator of the Notch signaling pathway. Here, we investigated the clinical effect of DTX1 rs1732786A > G, which is associated with better prognosis in patients with early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in 261 patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). DTX1 rs1732786A > G was associated with a significantly worse chemotherapy response and lower overall survival in the codominant model (odds ratio = 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.66, P = 2 × 10−4; hazard ratio = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.17–1.84, P = 0.001, respectively). An in vitro luciferase assay was performed, and the 1732786G allele demonstrated significantly higher promoter activity than the 1732786A allele (P = 2 × 10−7). In summary, DTX1 rs1732786A > G was associated with poor prognosis in patients with SCLC as opposed to patients with NSCLC.Key pointsSignificant findings of the studyDTX1 rs1732786A > G was associated with better prognosis in patients with early‐stage non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in our previous study.What this study addsDTX1 rs1732786A > G was associated with a significantly worse chemotherapy response and lower overall survival in small cell lung cancer (SCLC).
Cognitive function and health‐related quality of life 1 year after acute brain injury: An observational study
Authors: Larsen Laura Krone , Møller Kirsten , Petersen Marian , Egerod Ingrid 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundCognitive impairment and reduced health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) are well‐established sequelae of critical illness. Studies on survivors of critical illness have found delirium to be a predictor of these conditions, but evidence regarding survivors of acute brain injury is sparse. We aimed to explore if delirium duration was associated with 1‐year cognitive impairment and reduced HRQoL in patients with acute brain injury.MethodIntensive care unit (ICU) delirium was assessed using the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist. Cognitive status was assessed using the Repeatable Battery for Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and HRQoL using the European Quality of Life 5‐dimension questionnaire (EQ‐5D). We used a multiple linear regression for testing the association of delirium duration with cognitive impairment and quality of life, respectively.ResultsForty‐seven survivors of acute brain injury participated in follow‐up and 35 completed RBANS. Delirium was present in 39 of 47 (83%) with a median duration of 4 days. Delirium duration did not predict cognitive impairment (95% CI −4.1 to 0.5) or lower HRQoL (95% CI −1.4 to 2.7). Moderate‐to‐severe cognitive impairment was present in 17 of 35 (49%) participants, and they had a mean EQ‐5D health visual analogue scale of 70.9 vs 81.6 for the Danish age‐matched norm.ConclusionsOur sample did not demonstrate an association between delirium and 1‐year cognitive impairment or reduced HRQoL. Still, a large proportion of the participants were cognitively impaired, and their quality of life was lower compared to norm. Larger studies are necessary to explore these associations further.
Alcohol Use Trajectories Before and After Pregnancy Among Adolescent and Young Adult Mothers
Authors: Tung Irene , Chung Tammy , Krafty Robert T. , Keenan Kate , Hipwell Alison E. 
Published: July 2020

BackgroundModerate to heavy alcohol use during pregnancy (≥3 drinks/occasion) is linked to a range of adverse offspring outcomes. Prior studies suggest that adolescent and young adult mothers may be particularly vulnerable to these risky drinking behaviors during and after pregnancy. This study used latent class growth analysis (LCGA) to examine changes in risky drinking from prepregnancy to postpregnancy and identified prepregnancy predictors representing cognitive and social factors to inform prevention.MethodsParticipants included 432 adolescent and young adult mothers (aged 13 to 24; 78% Black) assessed annually since childhood in the Pittsburgh Girls Study. Participants prospectively reported frequency of risky drinking (≥3 drinks/occasion) in the year of pregnancy and 2 years before and after pregnancy, as well as social–cognitive risk factors for drinking (alcohol expectancies, drinking motives, caregiver, and peer alcohol use).ResultsApproximately 11% of young mothers in this community‐based sample engaged in risky drinking at least once a month during the year of pregnancy, with greater frequency observed for young adult (vs. adolescent) mothers. LCGA revealed 4 risky drinking trajectories across the perinatal period, including 3 relatively stable trajectories (low, moderate, and high frequency) and 1 distinct trajectory (“postpartum initiators”) characterized by increased risky drinking post‐childbirth. Peer alcohol use during and after pregnancy distinguished higher risk from lower risk trajectories, controlling for age, race, and age of drinking onset. Exposure to caregiver alcohol use and prepregnancy coping motives for drinking also elevated risk, but only for mothers who became pregnant in early adulthood (vs. adolescence).ConclusionsAdolescent and young adult mothers show heterogeneous risky drinking trajectories from prepregnancy to postpregnancy. Pregnant women in the transitional age of early adulthood who report exposure to caregiver alcohol use, more friends who drink, and coping motives for drinking may have elevated risk for moderate–heavy drinking during the perinatal period and may benefit from targeted intervention.
Factors influencing the residency of bettongs using one‐way gates to exit a fenced reserve
Authors: Moyses Jessie , Hradsky Bronwyn , Tuft Katherine , Moseby Katherine , Golding Nicholas , Wintle Brendan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the conditions under which small native Australian mammals can persist in the presence of introduced predators remains a key challenge to conservation ecologists. Bettong‐specific one‐way gates were used at a predator‐free reserve in South Australia to allow the burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur) – a small potoroid, listed as ‘vulnerable’ nationally – to disperse out of the reserve. We conducted a field experiment to explore the conditions affecting residence time of bettongs that left the reserve. We monitored bettong and mammalian predator activity outside the fence using track surveys across 18 sites over two seasons. We examined the effect of supplementary feeding as a strategy for increasing residence time, as well as the influence of predator presence and habitat quality, using linear mixed models. Bettong activity was positively associated with supplementary feeding, midstorey vegetation cover and shelter availability. After gates were closed, bettong activity near gates declined to almost zero the following weeks, likely either due to death from predation or due to movement away from the sites. To a small extent, mammalian predators were more likely to be present at sites with high bettong activity. Further research on conditions to support persistence of burrowing bettongs and other small mammals, including understanding minimum necessary predator control effort, is required before successful establishment of populations outside of fences can occur.
Factors influencing the occurrence of the Southern Long‐nosed Bandicoot (Perameles nasuta Geoffroy) during a population irruption and decline
Authors: MacGregor Christopher I. , Blanchard Wade , Stein John A. , Lindenmayer David B. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractModelling the occupancy of species is a key part of the discipline of ecology, with particular efforts often focused on identifying which environmental, vegetation and other factors influence why a given species occurs where it does. Here, based on data gathered between 2003 and 2016, we developed models of the environmental, terrain and vegetation factors associated with site occupancy of the Southern Long‐nosed Bandicoot (Perameles nasuta Geoffroy) at Booderee National Park in the Jervis Bay Territory, south‐eastern Australia. The Long‐nosed Bandicoot is a nocturnal omnivorous marsupial which feeds primarily on subterranean invertebrates and fungi. The species has undergone a major reduction in abundance and site occupancy following a peak irruption in 2006 with the percentage of the sites at which the species was present declining from 74.3% of sites trapped in 2006 to 10.5% of sites trapped in 2016. We found the Long‐nosed Bandicoot was distributed widely across Booderee National Park and occurred in all six broad vegetation types in the reserve (forest, heathland, woodland, shrubland, sedgeland and rainforest). Detection‐occupancy modelling revealed that the persistence and colonisation of sites by the species were negatively associated with the per cent cover of leaf litter, irrespective of broad vegetation type. Occupancy models are an important tool in identifying parts of landscapes most likely to support populations of particular species, such as the Long‐nosed Bandicoot over time, and they may assist management of protected areas to prioritise resources to manage the habitat of those areas.
Oral mucositis among Chinese cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: Effects and management strategies
Authors: Chan Carmen W. H. , Law Bernard M. H. , Wong Martin M. H. , Chan Dorothy N. S. , Ng Marques S. N. , So Winnie K. W. , Wong Cho Lee , Chow Ka Ming 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOral mucositis is a painful and distressing complication of chemotherapy‐induced toxicity in cancer patients that can develop early during the treatment regimen. Previous studies have demonstrated that both oxidative stress and inflammation play a role in the development of the ulceration that is a characteristic of oral mucositis. To date, a few studies have investigated the effect of this complication on the well‐being of patients, demonstrating its negative impact on patients’ functional ability and quality of life. This effect may entail chemotherapeutic drug dose reduction among patients, in turn reducing their cancer survival rates. Therefore, interventions to address the detrimental effects of oral mucositis on the well‐being of cancer patients are required. This review provides an overview of the studies that have examined the negative effects of oral mucositis on Chinese cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, as well as the interventions shown to be effective in treating this complication, with a focus on interventions utilizing traditional Chinese medicine. Overall, both traditional Chinese medicine‐based interventions and interventions involving patient education about effective oral care led by trained nurses were found to be useful in reducing the incidence and severity of oral mucositis among Chinese patients undergoing chemotherapy. Future oral mucositis management plans aiming at effective oral care among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy should incorporate these types of interventions as integral components to enhance the well‐being of these patients.
Pseudocystic pilomatricoma: A new variant and review of the literature
Authors: Sung Kun‐Yong , Lee Seungkoo , Jeong Yeonjin , Lee Sang‐Yeul 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA classic pilomatricoma, which usually presents with an asymptomatic, solitary, firm, subcutaneous nodule in the head, neck, or extremities of the paediatric population, is easily diagnosed based on its characteristic clinical and histopathological features. However, its variants often pose particular diagnostic challenges to clinicians due to their rarity and diverse clinicopathological features. We present a new pseudocystic variant, manifesting as solid lesions floating in a fluid‐filled sac.