bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plasmodium infection cure cycles induce modulation of conventional dendritic cells
Authors: Adachi Ryosuke , Tamura Takahiko 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMalaria is one of the most widespread human infectious diseases worldwide and a cause of mortality. It is difficult to induce immunological memory against the malarial parasite Plasmodium. The immunity to clinical malaria disease is acquired with multiple infection and treatment cycles, along with substantial reduction in parasite burden. However, the mechanism of the acquired immunity remains largely unclear. Conventional DCs (cDCs) play a pivotal role in orchestration of immune responses. The purpose of this study is to analyze the characterization of cDCs after the infection and cure treatment cycles. Mice were infected with the lethal rodent malarial parasite Plasmodium berghei ANKA, which was followed by cure treatment with the antimalarial drug pyrimethamine. This was then followed by a challenge with live parasites. The mice that went through infection cure cycles showed significant immune response, demonstrating robust immunological memory against malaria parasites. We investigated the cytokine production capacity of splenic cDCs in both naive and infection cure mice by stimulating purified splenic cDCs with LPS (TLR4 agonist) or CpG (TLR9 agonist). The capacity of cytokine production was found to be significantly decreased in infection cure mice. The suppression of cytokine production was sustained for a long term (6 months). Moreover, the surface expression of MHC Class II molecules was significantly lower in infection cure mice than in naive mice. These results suggest that Plasmodium infection and cure treatment resulted in strong immunological memory and modulation of full functionality of cDCs.
Detection of prey odours underpins dietary specialization in a Neotropical top‐predator: How army ants find their ant prey
Authors: Manubay John Aidan , Powell Scott 
Published: February 2020

AbstractDeciphering the mechanisms that underpin dietary specialization and niche partitioning is crucial to understanding the maintenance of biodiversity. New world army ants live in species‐rich assemblages throughout the Neotropics and are voracious predators of other arthropods. They are therefore an important and potentially informative group for addressing how diverse predator assemblages partition available prey resources.New World army ants are largely specialist predators of other ants, with each species specializing on different ant genera. However, the mechanisms of prey choice are unknown. In this study, we addressed whether the army antEciton hamatum:(a) can detect potential prey odours, (b) can distinguish between odours of prey and non‐prey and (c) can differentiate between different types of odours associated with its prey.Using field experiments, we tested the response of army ants to the following four odour treatments: alarm odours, dead ants, live ants and nest material. Each treatment had a unique combination of odour sources and included some movement in two of the treatments (alarm and live ants). Odour treatments were tested for both prey and non‐prey ants. These data were used to determine the degree to whichE. hamatumare using specific prey stimuli to detect potential prey and direct their foraging.Army ants responded strongly to odours derived from prey ants, which triggered both increased localized recruitment and slowed advancement of the raid as they targeted the odour source. Odours from non‐prey ants were largely ignored. Additionally, the army ants had the strongest response to the nest material of their preferred prey, with progressively weaker responses across the live ant, dead ant and alarm odours treatments respectively.This study reveals that the detection of prey odours, and especially the most persistent odours related to the prey's nest, provides a mechanism for dietary specialization in army ants. If ubiquitous across the Neotropical army ants, then this olfaction‐based ecological specialization may facilitate patterns of resource partitioning and coexistence in these diverse predator communities.
Living With Stigma: Spatial and Social Divisions in a Danish City
Authors: Jensen Sune Qvotrup , Prieur Annick , Skjott‐Larsen Jakob 
Published: February 2020

AbstractInspired by Bourdieu's theory of homology between social, mental and spatial structures, this essay dissects the relationship between spatial and social divisions in the Danish city of Aalborg using varied data from official statistics, surveys, qualitative interviews and field observations. Spatial divisions reflect differences in the objective distribution of economic and cultural capital, and are accompanied by symbolic divisions in residents’ minds. Some nuances are, however, added to Bourdieu's homology argument, as there are discrepancies between objective distributions and mental schemes, such that the latter exaggerate and dramatize the former. The neighbourhood of Aalborg East is subjected to this symbolic exaggeration in the form of spatial stigma or territorial stigmatization. An analysis of residents’ strategies for coping with spatial stigma furthermore provides an illustration of Wacquant's claim that this stigmatization can be met with a range of socially patterned responses ranging from acceptance or indifference to recalcitrance.
Diversity of lacewing assemblages (Neuropterida:Neuroptera) in different forest habitats and agricultural areas in the East Mediterranean area of Turkey
Authors: Bozdoğan Hakan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe objectives of this study were to understand lacewing diversity patterns and the role of environmental factors in determining lacewing diversity in four habitat types: agricultural area (crops and orchards), pine forest (Pinus nigra Arnold and, Pinus brutia Ten), natural forest (cedar and willow‐oak), and mixed forest (beech and oak).Several diversity patterns were evaluated, including evenness and dominance, in the East Mediterranean area of Turkey by analyzing the abundance and species composition of lacewing assemblages using the Simpson and Shannon Diversity Indices. It was questioned whether these communities are structured according to environmental conditions such as altitude, temperature, rainfall, wind and humidity. This question was explored using generalized linear models (GLMs) and principal component analysis (PCA) to detect the effect of ecological parameters on the species composition of the lacewing assemblages. The data suggest that the species abundance, composition, and diversity of lacewings are affected by different forest and agricultural habitat types. Based on the results of the present study, it is recommended that the area of farmland under cultivation is decreased and the area of sustainably managed forest and agricultural land is increased in order to better protect lacewing diversity in the East Mediterranean area of Turkey.
Immune checkpoint inhibitor‐associated interstitial lung diseases correlate with better prognosis in patients with advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Sugano Teppei , Seike Masahiro , Saito Yoshinobu , Kashiwada Takeru , Terasaki Yasuhiro , Takano Natsuki , Hisakane Kakeru , Takahashi Satoshi , Tanaka Toru , Takeuchi Susumu , Miyanaga Akihiko , Minegishi Yuji , Noro Rintaro , Kubota Kaoru , Gemma Akihiko 
Published: February 2020

BackgroundInterstitial lung disease (ILD) induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is a potentially life‐threatening adverse event. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the development of immune‐related adverse events (irAEs), especially ILD, was associated with treatment efficacy and to research the features and risk factors of ILD in advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsBetween December 2015 and November 2018, 130 advanced NSCLC patients were treated with nivolumab, pembrolizumab or atezolizumab. The patients were categorized into two groups (irAEs group or non‐irAEs group). Subsequently, we divided the irAEs group into two groups based on the incidence of ILD (ILD group and irAEs‐non‐ILD group). Treatment efficacy and the characteristics of ILD were evaluated.ResultsA total of 39 (30%) patients developed irAEs. ILD was observed in 16 (12%) patients. Patients with ILD had a higher objective response rate (ORR) compared with irAEs‐non‐ILD patients and non‐irAEs patients (63%, 43% and 22%, respectively). Median progression‐free survival (mPFS) was 15.9 months in ILD patients, 5.4 months in irAEs‐non‐ILD patients and 3.3 months in non‐irAEs patients (log‐rank test, P = 0.033). Pre‐existing interstitial pneumonia (IP) was an independent risk factor for ILD‐induced ICIs (odds ratio [OR] 14.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.16–99.6, P = 0.006).ConclusionsORR and PFS were significantly better in ILD patients than in irAEs‐non‐ILD and non‐irAEs patients. Pre‐existing history of IP was an independent risk factor for ILD‐induced ICIs.
Age‐related changes to macrophages are detrimental to fracture healing in mice
Authors: Clark Daniel , Brazina Sloane , Yang Frank , Hu Diane , Hsieh Christine L. , Niemi Erene C. , Miclau Theodore , Nakamura Mary C. , Marcucio Ralph 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe elderly population suffers from higher rates of complications during fracture healing that result in increased morbidity and mortality. Inflammatory dysregulation is associated with increased age and is a contributing factor to the myriad of age‐related diseases. Therefore, we investigated age‐related changes to an important cellular regulator of inflammation, the macrophage, and the impact on fracture healing outcomes. We demonstrated that old mice (24 months) have delayed fracture healing with significantly less bone and more cartilage compared to young mice (3 months). The quantity of infiltrating macrophages into the fracture callus was similar in old and young mice. However, RNA‐seq analysis demonstrated distinct differences in the transcriptomes of macrophages derived from the fracture callus of old and young mice, with an up‐regulation of M1/pro‐inflammatory genes in macrophages from old mice as well as dysregulation of other immune‐related genes. Preventing infiltration of the fracture site by macrophages in old mice improved healing outcomes, with significantly more bone in the calluses of treated mice compared to age‐matched controls. After preventing infiltration by macrophages, the macrophages remaining within the fracture callus were collected and examined via RNA‐seq analysis, and their transcriptome resembled macrophages from young calluses. Taken together, infiltrating macrophages from old mice demonstrate detrimental age‐related changes, and depleting infiltrating macrophages can improve fracture healing in old mice.
Increased miR‐34c mediates synaptic deficits by targeting synaptotagmin 1 through ROS‐JNK‐p53 pathway in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Shi Zhongli , Zhang Kaixia , Zhou Huimin , Jiang Lei , Xie Bing , Wang Ruiyuan , Xia Wenzhen , Yin Yajuan , Gao Zhaoyu , Cui Dongsheng , Zhang Rui , Xu Shunjiang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) and cancer have inverse relationship in many aspects. Some tumor suppressors, including miR‐34c, are decreased in cancer but increased in AD. The upstream regulatory pathways and the downstream mechanisms of miR‐34c in AD remain to be investigated. The expression of miR‐34c was detected by RT–qPCR in oxidative stressed neurons, hippocampus of SAMP8 mice, or serum of patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Dual luciferase assay was performed to confirm the binding sites of miR‐34c in its target mRNA. The Morris water maze (MWM) was used to evaluate learning and memory in SAMP8 mice administrated with miR‐34c antagomir (AM34c). Golgi staining was used to evaluate the synaptic function and structure. The dramatically increased miR‐34c was mediated by ROS‐JNK‐p53 pathway and negatively regulated synaptotagmin 1 (SYT1) expression by targeting the 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of syt1 in AD. The expression of SYT1 protein was reduced by over expression of miR‐34c in the HT‐22 cells and vice versa. Administration of AM34c by the third ventricle injection or intranasal delivery markedly increased the brain levels of SYT1 and ameliorated the cognitive function in SAMP8 mice. The serum miR‐34c was significantly increased in patients with aMCI and might be a predictive biomarker for diagnosis of aMCI. These results indicated that increased miR‐34c mediated synaptic and memory deficits by targeting SYT1 through ROS‐JNK‐p53 pathway and the miR‐34c/SYT1 pathway could be considered as a promising novel therapeutic target for patients with AD.
Opioid agonist treatment and fatal overdose risk in a state‐wide US population receiving opioid use disorder services
Authors: Krawczyk Noa , Mojtabai Ramin , Stuart Elizabeth A. , Fingerhood Michael , Agus Deborah , Lyons B. Casey , Weiner Jonathan P. , Saloner Brendan 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackground and aimsEvidence from randomized controlled trials establishes that medication treatment with methadone and buprenorphine reduces opioid use and improves treatment retention. However, little is known about the role of such medications compared with non‐medication treatments in mitigating overdose risk among US patient populations receiving treatment in usual care settings. This study compared overdose mortality among those in medication versus non‐medication treatments in specialty care settings.DesignRetrospective cohort study using state‐wide treatment data linked to death records. Survival analysis was used to analyze data in a time‐to‐event framework.SettingServices delivered by 757 providers in publicly funded out‐patient specialty treatment programs in Maryland, USA between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016.ParticipantsA total of 48 274 adults admitted to out‐patient specialty treatment programs in 2015–16 for primary diagnosis of opioid use disorder.MeasurementsMain exposure was time in medication treatment (methadone/buprenorphine), time following medication treatment, time exposed to non‐medication treatments and time following non‐medication treatment. Main outcome was opioid overdose death during and after treatment. Hazard ratios were calculated using Cox proportional hazard regression. Propensity score weights were adjusted for patient information on sex, age, race, region of residence, marital and veteran status, employment, homelessness, primary opioid, mental health treatment, arrests and criminal justice referral.FindingsThe study population experienced 371 opioid overdose deaths. Periods in medication treatment were associated with substantially reduced hazard of opioid overdose death compared with periods in non‐medication treatment [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.08–0.40]. Periods after discharge from non‐medication treatment (aHR = 5.45, 95% CI = 2.80–9.53) and medication treatment (aHR = 5.85, 95% CI = 3.10–11.02) had similar and substantially elevated risks compared with periods in non‐medication treatments.ConclusionsAmong Maryland patients in specialty opioid treatment, periods in treatment are protective against overdose compared with periods out of care. Methadone and buprenorphine are associated with significantly lower overdose death compared with non‐medication treatments during care but not after treatment is discontinued.
Cost‐effectiveness of grass pollen allergen immunotherapy in adults
Authors: Di Bona Danilo , Bilancia Massimo , Albanesi Marcello , Caiaffa Maria Filomena , Macchia Luigi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundMajor scientific societies, such as the EAACI or the AAAAI, do not express any suggestion on which form of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is to be preferred (subcutaneous immunotherapy, SCIT, vs sublingual immunotherapy, SLIT). This choice could depend on their relative pharmacoeconomic value.ObjectiveTo assess the cost‐effectiveness of AIT for grass pollen, administered as SCIT or SLIT.MethodsWe created a Markovian Model, to evaluate, in a hypothetical cohort of adult patients suffering from moderate‐to‐severe rhino‐conjunctivitis with or without allergic asthma, the cost‐effectiveness of SLIT (tablets, Grazax® and Oralair®) or SCIT (various currently available products, plus indirect nonmedical costs, such as travel and productivity costs) in addition to pharmacological therapy, assuming a 9‐year horizon to capture AIT long‐term effects. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated assuming pharmacological therapy as the reference comparator.ResultsIn the base case, SCIT was slightly more expensive, but more effective than SLIT, being the most cost‐effective option (ICER for SCIT, €11 418; ICER for SLIT, €15 212). ICERs greater than €120 000 for both SCIT and SLIT were demonstrated in a scenario assuming that low treatment persistence rates, which are common in real‐life, lead to absence of long‐term AIT clinical benefit. Considering indirect nonmedical costs SLIT resulted more cost‐effective than SCIT (ICER for SCIT, €17 318; ICER for SLIT, €15 212).ConclusionIn daily practice, AIT for grass pollens may be a cost‐effective option only in patients with low discontinuation rates. SCIT, which is less affected by this limitation than SLIT, seems the most cost‐effective AIT form.
Factors associated with rapid improvement in visual acuity in patients with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy after gene therapy
Authors: Liu Hong‐li , Yuan Jia‐jia , Zhang Yong , Tian Zhen , Li Xin , Wang Dan , Du Yang‐yang , Song Lin , Li Bin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPurposeTo analyse the factors associated with rapid and significant improvement in visual acuity in patients with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) after gene therapy and explain the theory of this improvement.MethodsWe recruited 149 patients with LHON, who underwent gene therapy, and divided them into two groups according to the absence or presence of rapid and significant visual acuity improvements within 3 days of treatment. A bivariate logistic regression model was used to analyse relevant factors including age, the period between onset and treatment, baseline values of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field index (VFI) and pretreatment average retinal nerve fibre‐layer thickness (GRNFL). The corresponding parameters for the injected and non‐injected eyes were analysed separately.ResultsThe period between onset and treatment, and pretreatment baseline BCVA was significantly associated with rapid and significant improvement in visual acuity for both, the injected and non‐injected eyes. Moreover, pretreatment baseline VFI and GRNFL were not significantly associated with rapid and significant improvement in visual acuity. Age was significantly associated with rapid and significant improvement in visual acuity of the injected eyes.ConclusionThe period between onset and treatment, and pretreatment baseline BCVA may be important predictors of rapid and significant improvement in visual acuity in patients with LHON after gene therapy.
Development and validation of the DIGIGLO, a tool for assessing the digital competence of educators
Authors: Alarcón Rafael , del Pilar Jiménez Elena , de Vicente‐Yagüe María Isabel 
Published: February 2020

AbstractEducators must be able to adapt to the opportunities provided by information and communication technologies, making use of those which are best suited to meeting their students' needs and identifying areas of practice in which they themselves need to develop their skills. The European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators (DigCompEdu) proposes 22 basic competences, organised into six areas, which educators should ideally acquire. The present study seeks to build on this Framework by developing and validating an assessment tool that considers a total of eight areas: the six areas covered by DigCompEdu and two new areas corresponding to extrinsic factors in the digital competence of educators. The latter refers specifically to the digital resources and support services that are available to educators in their working environment. A total of 509 teacher educators from across Spain and Latin America completed the 29‐item DIGIGLO questionnaire. Analysis of the Spanish language instrument's construct validity and psychometric properties showed it to be a valid and reliable tool for assessing the digital competence of educators across the eight areas considered.
Practitioner NotesWhat is already known about this topic

Educators must be able to adapt (habituate) to the opportunities provided by information and communication technologies.
The European Framework for the Digital Competence of Educators (DigCompEdu) proposes 22 basic competences, organised into six areas, which educators should ideally acquire.
The speed with which digital technology is developing means that educators need to keep track of their own digital skills.
What this paper adds

We develop and validate an instrument for assessing educators' digital competence (the DIGIGLO) that considers external factors not included within the DigCompEdu.
These external factors refer to the digital resources and support services that are available to educators in their working environment.
The total score on the 29‐item questionnaire provides a measure of educators' overall digital competence across eight different areas.
Implications for practice and/or policy

The DIGIGLO is a brief and easy‐to‐use tool for assessing the digital competence of educators, a key issue in the educational field today.
It extends the scope of the DigCompEdu Framework by including two further areas of digital competence (digital environment and extrinsic digital engagement).
Application of the instrument can provide individual educators and their institutions with useful feedback about both strengths and areas in need of improvement with regard to the use of digital technology in teaching.