bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of fungal symbionts at the arid limit of the distribution range in a native Patagonian grass—Resource eco‐physiological relations
Authors: Casas Cecilia , Gundel Pedro E. , Deliens Eluney , Iannone Leopoldo J. , García Martinez Guillermo , Vignale María V. , Schnyder Hans 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Crucial to our understanding of plant ecology is the consideration of the eco‐physiological responses and constraints of plant–fungal symbioses throughout the native distribution range of their host.

We examined key eco‐physiological roles of two co‐occurring fungal symbionts [Epichloë endophytes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF)] in the endemic grass Hordeum comosum across a wide bioclimatic gradient and contrasting grazing severity. We sampled H. comosum plants along four humid‐to‐arid transects in Patagonia, Argentina, covering its entire distribution range and determined Epichloë presence, AMF root colonization, nitrogen and phosphorus concentration, intrinsic water‐use efficiency (iWUE, the ratio of photosynthesis to stomatal conductance) and 18O‐enrichment of cellulose in shoots.

Root colonization by AMF increased with Epichloë presence. All plants hosted Epichloë in the humid range of the gradient, but symbioses occurrence decreased towards arid sites which also displayed severe grazing symptoms at site level.

Symbiosis with Epichloë correlated positively with shoot nitrogen concentration in the centre of the distribution range, and with shoot phosphorus concentration across the entire distribution range.

The site‐level relationship of AMF colonization with 18O‐enrichment and iWUE suggested that mycorrhiza boosted stomatal conductance in humid environments but curbed it in arid environments.

While the interpretation of interactions and potential causalities from observational studies should be done with caution, this study demonstrates distinct correlations between plant–fungal symbiont associations and key resource parameters (phosphorus, nitrogen and iWUE vs. 18O‐enrichment). Such correlations may suggest particular functional roles for these symbionts in the ecology of their host plant.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Assistance dogs in occupational therapy practice: A survey of Australian occupational therapists' experiences and recommendations
Authors: Chan Kar Wei , Young Janette , Williams Lindy J. , Nottle Carmel 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIntroductionAssistance dogs perform multiple tasks to support people with disabilities and bring various benefits. Occupational therapists play a key role in assessing or referring clients for assistive technology, which includes assistance dogs. However, little is known about Australian occupational therapists' experiences with assistance dogs and how they perceive their roles in this area of practice.MethodsA cross‐sectional online survey was developed and distributed nationally to Australian occupational therapists to glean their experiences and perceptions of assistance dogs and their recommendations to support future practice.ResultsA total of 220 completed surveys were received with all perceiving assistance dogs as beneficial for clients with disabilities. Over 60% agreed it was within their scope to assess or refer clients for assistance dogs, but more than two thirds had not had the occasion to do so and/or lacked relevant education and training. Common difficulties experienced in the referral or assessment process include challenges with accessing and navigating funding, lack of resources and/or assistance dogs, and perceived insufficient evidence to support the use of assistance dogs.ConclusionFindings indicate that occupational therapists' lack experience and knowledge of assistance dogs although they perceive assistance dogs as within the scope of occupational therapy practice. This study highlights a need for increasing professional development opportunities for occupational therapists regarding assistance dogs, including assessment and referral processes. This will be steadily more important given the increasing profile and expanding application of assistance dogs, and funding organisation requests for occupational therapists in assessing clients for assistance dogs.
Routes into the homeopathic profession: Witnessing, gender and subaltern therapeutics
Authors: Dew Kevin , Clark‐Grill Monika 
Published: November 2021

AbstractHomeopathy, along with many other alternative therapies, has come under severe attack from apologists for orthodox medicine. Given the cultural authority of medicine, what then provides the impetus for people to take up homeopathy as a clinical practice? This article addresses this question in the context of homeopathic practice in New Zealand. Five focus groups were conducted with 22 homeopaths in five cities. The study found that it was common to be drawn to homeopathy through witnessing in themselves, their family, friends or animals, the positive effects of homeopathy, commonly after negligible success from conventional medicine. For many participants, all of whom were women, the opportunity to study homeopathy occurred when they were the primary carers of children, with homeopathy providing a possibility for a change in work trajectories. Many participants had previous occupations inside the conventional health system. Central to the appeal of homeopathy as a subaltern practice in New Zealand is the often dramatic impact of witnessing the effects of the therapeutic modality, which is conceptualised as analogous to an ‘event’ that tears at the fabric of the everyday.
Batch effects in population genomic studies with low‐coverage whole genome sequencing data: Causes, detection and mitigation
Authors: Lou Runyang Nicolas , Therkildsen Nina Overgaard 
Published: November 2021

AbstractOver the past few decades, there has been an explosion in the amount of publicly available sequencing data. This opens new opportunities for combining data sets to achieve unprecedented sample sizes, spatial coverage or temporal replication in population genomic studies. However, a common concern is that nonbiological differences between data sets may generate patterns of variation in the data that can confound real biological patterns, a problem known as batch effects. In this paper, we compare two batches of low‐coverage whole genome sequencing (lcWGS) data generated from the same populations of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua). First, we show that with a “batch‐effect‐naive” bioinformatic pipeline, batch effects systematically biased our genetic diversity estimates, population structure inference and selection scans. We then demonstrate that these batch effects resulted from multiple technical differences between our data sets, including the sequencing chemistry (four‐channel vs. two‐channel), sequencing run, read type (single‐end vs. paired‐end), read length (125 vs. 150 bp), DNA degradation level (degraded vs. well preserved) and sequencing depth (0.8× vs. 0.3× on average). Lastly, we illustrate that a set of simple bioinformatic strategies (such as different read trimming and single nucleotide polymorphism filtering) can be used to detect batch effects in our data and substantially mitigate their impact. We conclude that combining data sets remains a powerful approach as long as batch effects are explicitly accounted for. We focus on lcWGS data in this paper, which may be particularly vulnerable to certain causes of batch effects, but many of our conclusions also apply to other sequencing strategies.
Effect of psoriatic arthritis on the strength, proprioception, skill, coordination, and functional condition of the hand
Authors: Candiri Busra , Talu Burcu , Demirtas Karaoba Dilan , Ozaltin Gulfem Ezgi , Yolbas Servet 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundThis study was planned to evaluate the strength, proprioception, skill, coordination, and functional condition of the hand in individuals with psoriatic arthritis and to correlate disease activity with these parameters.MethodsFifty‐six individuals (psoriatic arthritis group, n = 36; control group, n = 20) were included in the study. Evaluations were performed of disease activity with Disease Activity Score 28; grip strength with a dynamometer and pinch strength with pinch gauge dynamometers; joint position sensation with a goniometer; finger skills with a mobile application; and coordination and skill of both hands with the Purdue Pegboard test. The Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) was used for hand functional evaluation.ResultsThere was a significant difference between the grip and pinch strength of the psoriatic arthritis group and the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the joint position sense measurements and the mobile application scores between the groups (P > 0.05). Purdue Pegboard scores showed a significant difference only in both hands and assembly subsections (P < 0.05). With Disease Activity Score 28, significant correlations were found between grip and pinch strength, mobile application scores, Purdue Pegboard all subsections, and left‐hand joint position sense average error amount, and between MHQ and grip and pinch strength.ConclusionsThis study is the first to show that psoriatic arthritis has a negative effect especially on hand strength; grip strength decreases as disease severity increases and, skill, coordination, and functionality of hand deteriorate.
LncRNA LINC00460: Function and mechanism in human cancer
Authors: Chen Xi , Song Jiwu , Wang Xiaoxiao , Sun Dongyuan , Liu Yunxia , Jiang Yingying 
Published: November 2021

AbstractLong non‐coding RNAs (LncRNAs), which are more than 200 nucleotides in length and with limited protein‐coding potential, play vital roles in the pathogenesis, tumorigenesis, and angiogenesis of cancers. Aberrant expression of lncRNAs has been detected in various carcinomas and may be correlated with oncogenesis by affecting related genes expression. Recently, an increasing number of studies have reported on long intergenic non‐protein coding RNA 460 (LINC00460) in human tumor fields. LINC00460 is upregulated in diverse cancer tissues and cells. The upregulated expression level of LINC00460 is correlated with larger tumor size, tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, lymph node metastasis, and shorter overall survival. The regulatory mechanism of LINC00460 was complex and diverse. LINC00460 could act as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA), directly bind with proteins or regulate multiple pathways, which affected tumor progression. Moreover, LINC00460 was also identified to increase drug resistance, and therefore, weaken the effectiveness of tumor treatment. It has become increasingly important to investigate the roles of LINC00460 in various cancers by different mechanisms. Therefore, a more comprehensive understanding of LINC00460 is crucial to expound on the cellular function and molecular mechanism of human cancers. In this review, we refer to studies concerning LINC00460 and provide the basis for the evaluation of LINC00460 as a predicted biomarker or potential therapeutic target in malignancies, and also provide ideas for the future research of lncRNAs similar to LINC00460.
Pharmacological interventions for alcohol misuse in correctional settings: A systematic review
Authors: Slavin‐Stewart Claire , Minhas Meenu , Turna Jasmine , Brasch Jennifer , Olagunju Andrew Toyin , Chaimowitz Gary , MacKillop James 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is estimated to be 10 times higher amongst individuals in the criminal justice system than the general population. Alcohol use is also one of the strongest modifiable risk factors for recidivism. One intervention that has been shown to be effective in reducing alcohol consumption in the general population is medication‐assisted treatment (MAT), and this systematic review synthesized the existing evidence on MAT for AUD in correctional settings.MethodsEmpirical, peer‐reviewed studies on approved medications for AUD in correctional populations were searched in major databases. One hundred sixty‐two articles were initially screened and 14 eligible articles were included in the final review. Four articles examined disulfiram, and 10 articles examined naltrexone.ResultsThe studies on disulfiram were considerably older than those on naltrexone, predating contemporary scientific standards. Disulfiram in combination with substantial contingencies in a supervised setting significantly reduced alcohol‐related measures of consumption and recidivism and had acceptable safety and tolerability. All naltrexone studies showed significant reductions in alcohol‐related measures, but effects on recidivism were mixed. The naltrexone studies indicated that it was highly acceptable and well tolerated. In addition, offenders receiving naltrexone had significantly greater medication adherence, treatment attendance, and treatment duration than with placebo.ConclusionsA small number of studies on pharmacological interventions for AUD in the correctional population suggest that MAT is effective in reducing alcohol consumption, although results on recidivism are mixed. On balance, the evidence was more supportive of naltrexone in reducing alcohol‐related outcomes than disulfiram and it may also be a more feasible intervention in correctional settings. Further research on MAT to address AUD in correctional populations with larger sample sizes, longer duration, and in combination with behavioral interventions is warranted.
Stock market liquidity and traditional sources of bank business
Authors: Samarasinghe Ama , Uylangco Katherine 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWith enhanced financial liberalisation, banks’ reliance on traditional intermediary functions has gradually declined, changing the risk profile of these systemically important financial institutions. This paper examines an important channel through which these changes occur, the spillover effects from an increase in stock market liquidity on traditional bank business. This is the first paper to provide empirical evidence of a decline in the value of bank deposits and loans as aggregate stock market liquidity increases, with data from 7,297 banks in 39 countries from 1999 to 2014. We find that such effects vary with the level of financial development in the country and with the level of investor protection. These findings provide information for policy‐makers to better understand important spillover effects of policy changes designed to enhance stock market liquidity.
Brown bear‐caused human injuries and fatalities in Russia are linked to human encroachment
Authors: Kudrenko S. , Ordiz A. , Stytsenko F. , Barysheva S. L. , Bartalev S. , Baskin L. , Swenson J. E. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThreat to human safety is the most dramatic conflict between humans and large carnivores. Although carnivore attacks are generally rare, bears are relatively often involved. Here, we reveal an association between human encroachment into the landscape, that is, increasing road density, and brown bear‐caused human casualties (injuries and fatalities) in Russia. In European Russia, the frequency of casualties correlated positively with bear population size and negatively with the presence of Siberian pine, a crucial bear food in the predenning period and a commonly gathered human resource. In Siberia, however, the number of casualties was not related to the number of bears, but it was positively associated with both road density and the presence of Siberian pine. Increasing casualties there were seemingly linked to increasing access to areas where both humans and bears concentrated simultaneously to harvest the same resource, edible pine seeds. The latter are more often collected commercially in Siberia than in European Russia. Our study shows the link between habitat degradation and human–wildlife conflict. Indeed, interacting effects of habitat change and coexistence with large carnivores deserve further attention, as we illustrate here for Russian forests; a wide boreal ecosystem where human encroachment can have severe repercussions for wildlife and ecosystem functioning at multiple spatial levels.
Morphological characteristics of the blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo) tongue: A structural and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Abbate Francesco , Guerrera Maria Cristina , Levanti Maria , Laurà Rosaria , Aragona Marialuisa , Mhalhel Kamel , Montalbano Giuseppe , Germanà Antonino 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe blackspot seabream (Pagellus bogaraveo, Brünnich, 1768) is an omnivorous, predominantly carnivorous fish. In aquaculture, it is fed with pellets rich in proteins and fat. The morphological and functional aspects of the fish tongue, the feeding modality and the tasting capacity are strictly related. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe by scanning electron, light and confocal laser microscopy, the morphological characteristics of the tongue in this species. It showed an apex, a body and a root. There were rows of teeth on the edges of the mouth and taste pores on all the tongue dorsal surface with folds and furrows. In addition, body and root showed several fungiform‐like papillae in the mucosa of the folds, covered by a weakly keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, can be observed. The papillae were innervated by S100 positive fibres. In the apex, a mesenchymal tissue with vimentin positive star‐shaped stem cells was evident. The results could give a support for a wider use of the blackspot seabream as a farmed species, considering the morphological data as correlated with the potentiality of food discrimination. This provides a basis for possible applications in feeding strategies. The presence, localization and characteristics of the mesenchymal stem cells, as seen also in previous studies, could represent a further basis for future applications in clinical trials.
Effect of the underlying malignancy on critically ill septic patient's outcome
Authors: Man Man‐Yee , Shum Hoi‐Ping , Lam Sin‐Man , Li Jacky , Yan Wing‐Wa , Yeung Mei‐Wan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundSepsis is an important cause of mortality and morbidity among critically ill patients with underlying malignancy.MethodsPatients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital from January 1, 2010 to April 30, 2019 were recruited. Demographics, laboratory parameter, and outcome were analyzed. Those with underlying malignancy were matched with those without malignancy based on their severity of organ failure (defined by the sequential organ failure assessment [SOFA] score) and septic source.ResultsTwo hundred sixty‐three patients with underlying active malignancy were matched with 259 patients without malignancy. Those with malignancy had higher APACHE IV score (89 vs. 83), lower albumin (22.1 vs. 24.4), neutrophil count (6.0 vs. 9.3), hemoglobin (8.0 vs. 9.8), platelet count (113 vs. 133), less use of mechanical ventilation (35.7% vs. 45.9%), renal replacement therapy (22.1% vs. 28.2%) and vasopressor (66.2% vs. 74.9%), higher 30‐day (34.2% vs. 24.3%) ICU (22.4% vs. 18.9%), and 1‐year (62.4% vs. 36.7%) mortality compared with those without malignancy. A higher APACHE IV score and pulmonary sepsis were predictors of 30‐day mortality by Cox regression analysis.ConclusionDisease severity and pulmonary sepsis, but not underlying malignancy, predicted short‐term mortality among critically ill septic patients.
Incidence, prevalence, and survival trends for neuroendocrine neoplasms in Victoria, Australia, from 1982 to 2019: Based on site, grade, and region
Authors: Michael M. , Thursfield V. , te Marvelde L. , Kong G. , Hicks R.J. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAimsNeuroendorcine neoplasms (NENs) are rare tumors characterised by variable biology and delayed diagnosis. Several population studies have reported a marked increased incidence over time. The objectives of this analysis were to describe within Victoria (the second largest Australian state, 6.4 Million) the trends for NENs incidence/survival over nearly 38 years (1982–2019), and regional differences in survival.MethodsAll NEN cases were identified from the Victorian Cancer Registry over four time periods: 1982–1989, 1990–1999, 2000—2009, and 2010–2019. Data collected included primary tumor site, histological grade, gender, overall survival (OS), and place of residence. Incidence data were analyzed with the generation of annual standardized rates (ASR). OS was assessed for the entire cohort and between geographical regions.ResultsThe overall NEN population (1982–2019) included 8,106 patients: over 60% grade 1/2 NENs, especially small bowel and colorectal. The number of new diagnoses increased over three‐fold over time for the overall cohort and by tumoral categories. The ASR increased similarly, especially pancreatic NENs (4.3‐fold) and differed between genders. The 5‐year OS rates and median OS increased over time for the overall cohort: from 52% to 67% (p < 0.001). OS was greater for NEN patients residing in major cities relative to regional/remote areas (p = 0.01).ConclusionThis population‐wide analysis with over 38 years of data has confirmed the international trends of the increased incidence, prevalence, and OS of NEN patients regardless of primary site or histological grade. The analysis also observed a difference in survival outcome in rural/remote versus urban areas.
Optimal screw length in volar locking plate osteosynthesis for distal radius fractures: a systematic review
Authors: Gunaratne Rajitha , Nazifi Omid , D'Souza Harry , Tay Aaron 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundFractures of the distal radius represent the most common fracture of the upper limb, and can be managed surgically with volar locking plate osteosynthesis (VLPO). Uncertainty remains regarding the optimal length of the distal locking screws. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal VLPO screw length which provided adequate stability while minimizing complications.MethodsA systematic review of relevant literature published within Cochrane, PubMed, MEDLINE and Embase, including studies up to April 2020, was performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta‐analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were included if they investigated distal radius fracture fixation with VLPO, screw lengths, complications, and associated imaging.ResultsSearch results identified 664 relevant studies, of which 14 studies examining 926 radii were included for review. Synthesis revealed that unicortical locking fixation with screws ~75% the depth of the radius, or 2 mm short of the dorsal cortex, provided equivalent stability to bicortical fixation. The lunate may be used as a proxy to determine radial depth at each quartile column. Inadvertent screw protrusion can be assessed by taking four images intra‐operatively; anteroposterior (AP), lateral, 45° supinated and dorsal tangential views (DTVs). Radial shaft screws can have up to 2 mm prominence with no clinical significance.ConclusionUnicortical locking fixation at least 75% the depth of the distal radius provides equivalent stability to bicortical fixation in extra‐articular fractures with lower complication rates. Imaging should be used to confirm that penetration of the dorsal cortex has not occurred.