bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of LINE retrotransposons and long non-coding RNAs expressed in the octopus brain
Authors: Petrosino Giuseppe , Ponte Giovanna , Volpe Massimiliano , Zarrella Ilaria , Langella Concetta , Di Cristina Giulia , Finaurini Sara , Russo Monia T. , Basu Swaraj , Musacchia Francesco , Ristoratore Filomena , Pavlinic Dinko , Benes Vladimir , Ferrante Maria I. , Albertin Caroline , Simakov Oleg , Gustincich Stefano , Fiorito Graziano , Sanges Remo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundTransposable elements (TEs) widely contributed to the evolution of genomes allowing genomic innovations, generating germinal and somatic heterogeneity and giving birth to long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). These features have been associated to the evolution, functioning and complexity of the nervous system at such a level that somatic retrotransposition of long interspersed element (LINE) L1 has been proposed to be associated to human cognition. Among invertebrates, octopuses are fascinating animals whose nervous system reaches a high level of complexity achieving sophisticated cognitive abilities. The sequencing of the genome of theOctopus bimaculoidesrevealed a striking expansion of TEs which were proposed to have contributed to the evolution of its complex nervous system. We recently found a similar expansion also in the genome ofOctopus vulgaris. However a specific search for the existence of full-length transpositionally competent TEs has not been performed in this genus.ResultsHere we report the identification of LINE elements competent for retrotransposition inOctopus vulgarisandOctopus bimaculoidesand show evidence suggesting that they might be active driving germline polymorphisms among individuals and somatic polymorphisms in the brain. Transcription and translation measured for one of these elements resulted in specific signals in neurons belonging to areas associated with behavioral plasticity. We also report the transcription of thousands of lncRNAs and the pervasive inclusion of TE fragments in the transcriptomes of bothOctopusspecies, further testifying the crucial activity of TEs in the evolution of the octopus genomes.ConclusionsThe neural transcriptome of the octopus shows the transcription of thousands of putative lncRNAs and of a full lenght LINE element belonging to the RTE class. We speculate that a convergent evolutionary process involving retrotransposons activity in the brain has been important for the evolution of sophisticated cognitive abilities in this genus.
Molecular Dynamics Reveals the Effects of Temperature on Critical SARS-CoV-2 Proteins
Authors: Morgan Paul , Shu Chih-Wen 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a newly identified RNA virus that causes the serious infection Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The incidence of COVID-19 is still increasing worldwide despite the summer heat and cool winter. However, little is known about seasonal stability of SARS-CoV-2. Herein, we employ Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations to explore the effect of temperature on four critical SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Our work demonstrates that the spike Receptor Binding Domain (RBD), Main protease (Mpro), and nonstructural protein 3 (macro X) possesses extreme thermos-stability when subjected to temperature variations rendering them attractive drug targets. Furthermore, our findings suggest that these four proteins are well adapted to habitable temperatures on earth and are largely insensitive to cold and warm climates. Furthermore, we report that the critical residues in SARS-CoV-2 RBD were less responsive to temperature variations as compared to the critical residues in SARS-CoV. As such, extreme summer and winter climates, and the transition between the two seasons, are expected to have a negligible effect on the stability of SARS-CoV-2 which will marginally suppress transmission rates until effective therapeutics are available world-wide.
Adverse effects of trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole for the prophylaxis of Pneumocystis pneumonia in dermatology
Authors: Kokubu Hiraku , Kato Takeshi , Nishikawa Junko , Tanaka Toshihiro , Fujimoto Noriki 
Published: January 2021

AbstractTrimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) combination is used for the prophylaxis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP). Although TMP/SMX is frequently used in dermatology for cases treated with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants, it is often difficult to continue the administration of TMP/SMX due to adverse events. There are only a few reported studies on the prophylaxis of PCP in dermatology. This is the first review focused on adverse events of TMP/SMX among patients with dermatological diseases compared with previous reports. In this study, we retrospectively investigated 132 cases treated with TMP/SMX and examined the adverse events. Adverse events occurred in 32 cases (24.2%) and the incidence in this study was higher than in previous reports. Thrombocytopenia occurred in 17 cases (12.5%), which was the most frequent adverse event. The possible causes of adverse events were that the standard dose of TMP/SMX may be excessive for most Japanese, in addition to the long administration period, and the concomitant use of corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants in almost all cases. We must consider the risks of PCP and adverse events of TMP/SMX in each case. It is desirable to examine possible administration methods that can be continued by adjusting the dose and interval of TMP/SMX.
Human activities and weather drive contact rates of wintering elk
Authors: Janousek William M. , Graves Tabitha A. , Berman Ethan E. , Chong Geneva W. , Cole Eric K. , Dewey Sarah R. , Johnston Aaron N. , Cross Paul C. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Wildlife aggregation patterns can influence disease transmission. However, limited research evaluates the influence of anthropogenic and natural factors on aggregation. Many managers would like to reduce wildlife contact rates, driven by aggregation, to limit disease transmission. We develop a novel analytical framework to quantify how management activities such as supplemental feeding and hunting versus weather drive contact rates while accounting for correlated contacts. We apply the framework to the National Elk Refuge (NER), Wyoming, USA, where the probable arrival of chronic wasting disease (CWD) has magnified concerns.

We used a daily proximity index to measure contact rates among 68 global positioning system collared elk from 2016 to 2019. We modelled contact rates as a function of abiotic weather‐related effects, anthropogenic effects and aggregation from the prior day. The winter of 2017–2018 had greater natural forage availability and little snow, which led to a rare non‐feeding year on the NER and provided a unique opportunity to evaluate the effect of feeding on contact rates relative to other conditions.

Supplemental feeding was the strongest predictor of aggregation, and contact rates were 2.6 times larger while feeding occurred compared to the baseline rate (0.34 and 0.13, respectively). Snow‐covered area was the second strongest predictor of contact rates highlighting the importance of abiotic factors to elk aggregation, but this effect had half the strength of feeding. These results are the first to show, even in animals that congregate naturally, how greatly supplemental feeding amplifies aggregation. Contact rates were also 23% lower during times when elk hunting was active (0.10) compared to the baseline.

Synthesis and applications. Supplemental feeding increased contacts between elk well above the natural effects of weather, even after accounting for correlated movement expected in wintering ungulates. Similarly, differences in hunting season timing with adjacent areas led to an increase in contacts, suggesting an additional management option for reducing aggregation. The analytical framework presented supports the evaluation of temporally varying management actions that influence aggregation broadly and can be easily implemented whether the interest in changing aggregation is related to reduction of disease transmission, human–wildlife conflict or inter‐species competition.
The timing of leaf senescence relates to flowering phenology and functional traits in 17 herbaceous species along elevational gradients
Authors: Bucher Solveig Franziska , Römermann Christine 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Leaf senescence is a major event in a plant's life history as autumn marks the end of the growing season. The optimal timing of leaf senescence is crucial to both minimise risks of low temperature events and to maximise carbon gain during the growing season. As abiotic conditions are currently changing at unprecedented rates, it is important to study how leaf senescence of different species is responding to these changes in order to forecast future growing season length and carbon sequestration potentials. In contrast to flowering phenology, data on autumn events are scarce and even more so for herbaceous than for woody plants, thus more information on this phenological stage is urgently needed.

We studied leaf senescence in 632 populations from 17 herbaceous species located along elevational gradients. We focussed on the beginning (5% of the population senesce, LS5) and peak (50% senesce, LS50) of leaf senescence. To see whether we can predict species‐specific changes, we studied the link between LS5 and LS50 and flowering phenology as well as leaf functional traits related to plant performance. We looked at first and last flowering day and flowering duration as well as the traits specific leaf area (SLA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), area‐based leaf nitrogen and carbon content, carbon isotope discrimination (Δ13C) and the stomatal pore area index.

We found species‐specific slopes of the beginning of leaf senescence along the elevational gradient. The peak of leaf senescence was uniformly delayed with increasing elevation across all species. Flowering phenology as well as leaf functional traits had a close relationship with leaf senescence and thus can be used to forecast species‐specific responses to changes in abiotic conditions. High SLA and high leaf nitrogen were related to earlier senescence while high LDMC, high Δ13C and high stomatal pore area index were related to later senescence.

Synthesis. The link between senescence, flowering phenology and plant functional traits will help to fine‐tune predictions of future growing season length and ecosystem function. To date, most analyses are based on spring phenology and traits, for which data are more abundant than data on autumn senescence.
Impact of the supplemental nutritional assistance program on diet‐related disease morbidity among older adults
Authors: Booshehri Layla G. , Dugan Jerome 
Published: January 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo examine the health effects of the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and the differential impact of SNAP across race/ethnicity among older adults.Data Source/Study Setting2008‐2013 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative population‐based complex sample survey.Study DesignA difference‐in‐regression‐discontinuity (DRD) design is used to assess the impacts of SNAP on diet‐related disease morbidity. The primary outcomes were the prevalence rate of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. We also conducted supplemental analysis to examine potential co‐occurring trends in medical utilization.Data Collection/Extraction MethodsData are publicly available.Principal FindingsIn the full sample, SNAP eligibility was associated with a significant decline in diabetes (−3.71 percentage points [pp]; P < .05). Non‐Hispanic (NH) White respondents reported trends similar to the full sample; however, NH Black respondents reported large declines in hypertension (−13.95 pp; P < .01) and Hispanic respondents reported declines in the prevalence of angina (−6.94 pp; P < .05) and stroke (−4.48 pp; P < .05).ConclusionsSupplemental Nutritional Assistance Program eligibility was associated with the reduced prevalence of diet‐related disease among older adults. These observed declines in the prevalence of diet‐related disease do not appear to be attributable to increased medical visits or spending on medical services and prescriptions.
Effects of periodontitis on postoperative pneumonia in patients with lung and esophageal cancer
Authors: Jia Chunling , Luan Yijun , Li Xibo , Zhang Xiaoying , Li Cuirong 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundFew studies have been conducted on the relationship between chronic periodontitis and postoperative pneumonia (POP) in patients with lung and esophageal cancer. Furthermore, it remains controversial as to whether improving the periodontal condition of patients with lung and esophageal cancer before surgery reduces the incidence of POP. This retrospective study was conducted to assess the effects of periodontal therapy in patients with lung and esophageal cancer to prevent POP.MethodsA total of 265 patients with lung or esophageal cancer complicated with chronic periodontitis who underwent open thoracotomy between July 2015 and June 2019 were selected and given the choice of being in the experimental or control group. A total of 141 participants in the experimental group received periodontal therapy, and 124 participants in the control group did not receive periodontal therapy. All clinical data of participants in both groups were retrospectively studied to determine the incidence of POP on the 30th day after discharge from hospital.ResultsEight patients in the experimental and six in the control group, respectively, were excluded from the study. It was found that four of the 133 patients suffered from POP in the experimental group (incidence: 3.01%). A total of 18 of 118 patients in the control group had a pulmonary infection (incidence: 15.25%). POP incidence in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and in the level analysis of different types of periodontitis, surgical methods, and diseases (p < 0.05).ConclusionsPeriodontal treatment is associated with a lower incidence of POP following lung and esophageal cancer surgery. Improving the periodontal condition of patients helps prevent POP. The presence of periodontitis is an important predisposing factor for POP in patients after open thoracotomy. Periodontal examination and therapy are recommended before the surgical treatment of lung or esophageal cancer.
The association between labour epidural case volume and the rate of accidental dural puncture
Authors: Sidhu N. S. , Cavadino A. , Ku H. , Kerckhoffs P. , Lowe M. 
Published: January 2021

SummaryAccidental dural puncture is a recognised complication of labour epidural placement and can cause a debilitating headache. We examined the association between labour epidural case volume and accidental dural puncture rate in specialist anaesthetists and anaesthesia trainees. We performed a retrospective cohort study of labour epidural and combined spinal‐epidural nerve blocks performed between 1 July 2013 and 31 December 2017 at Waitemata District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand. The mean (SD) annual number of obstetric epidural and combined spinal‐epidural procedures for high‐case volume specialists was 44.2 (15.0), and for low‐case volume specialists was 10.0 (6.8), after accounting for caesarean section combined spinal‐epidural procedures. Analysis of 7976 labour epidural and combined spinal‐epidural procedure records revealed a total of 92 accidental dural punctures (1.2%). The accidental dural puncture rate (95%CI) in high‐case volume specialists was 0.6% (0.4–0.9%) and in low‐case volume specialists 2.4% (1.4–3.9%), indicating probable skill decay. The odds of accidental dural puncture were 3.77 times higher for low‐ compared with high‐case volume specialists (95%CI 1.72–8.28, p = 0.001). Amongst trainees, novices had a significantly higher accidental dural puncture complication rate (3.1%) compared with registrars (1.2%), OR (95%CI) 0.39 (0.18–0.84), p = 0.016, or fellows (1.1%), 0.35 (0.16–0.76), p = 0.008. Accidental dural puncture complication rates decreased once trainees progressed past the ‘novice’ training stage.
How psychological contract breach affects long‐term mental and physical health: the longitudinal role of effort–reward imbalance
Authors: Griep Yannick , Bankins Sarah , Vander Elst Tinne , De Witte Hans 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study contributes to the research of employee health and well‐being by examining the longitudinal effects of psychological contract (PC) breach on employees’ health. We integrate Social Exchange and Conservation of Resources theories to position effort–reward imbalance (ERI) as the mediating mechanism. We also assessed the moderating role of perceived job control as a boundary condition through which employees could prevent PC breach and ERI from adversely affecting their health. Using three‐wave longitudinal survey data from 389 employees, we estimated a path model using each variable’s growth parameters (intercept and slope). We found support for our hypotheses regarding stable effects; we found positive associations between PC breach and physical and mental health complaints and a need for recovery through ERI perceptions. We further tested employees’ perceived control over the work environment as a boundary condition and found support for its role in attenuating the positive relationship between PC breach and ERI perceptions, but not for its moderating role in the ERI–health outcomes relationship. Our findings indicate that exposure to PC breach has a detrimental impact on employee health/well‐being via perceptions of ERI and allow us to unravel one of the cognitive mechanisms leading to potential employee ill‐health. We conclude with theoretical and practical implications.
Peer feedback or peer feedforward? Enhancing students’ argumentative peer learning processes and outcomes
Authors: Latifi Saeed , Noroozi Omid , Talaee Ebrahim 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study compared the effects of support for peer feedback, peer feedforward and their combination on students’ peer learning processes, argumentative essay quality and domain‐specific learning. Participants were 86 BSc students who were randomly divided over 43 dyads. These dyads, in a two‐factorial experimental design, were assigned to four conditions including: peer feedback (n = 22), peer feedforward (n = 22), mixed (n = 20) and control group (n = 22) conditions. An online peer feedback environment named EduTech was designed which allowed us to implement various types of support in the form of question prompts. In this online environment, students were asked to write an argumentative essay on a controversial topic, to engage in peer learning processes and to revise their essay. Overall, the results showed that students in the three experimental conditions (peer feedback, peer feedforward and their combination) benefited more than students in the control group condition (without any support) in term of peer learning processes, argumentative essay quality and domain‐specific learning. However, there was no significant difference among the three experimental conditions. This implies that peer feedforward can be as important as peer feedback in collaborative learning environments which is often neglected both in theory and practice.
Practitioner NotesWhat is already known about this topic?

Writing argumentative essays is a common practice for higher education students in various disciplines which deal with controversial issues.
Writing argumentative essay requires solid argumentation strategies which makes it a challenging task for higher education students.
Additional instructional support is needed to help students write high‐quality argumentative essays.
What this paper adds?

Peer learning is a promising instructional strategy for improving students’ argumentative essay writing and learning.
Online support in the form of question prompts to guide students during peer learning can improve their argumentative essay writing and learning.
Next to the peer feedback, peer feedforward is also a promising instructional approach to support students’ argumentative essay writing and learning.
Implications for practice and/or policy

Given the positive effects of peer learning processes, the use of peer feedback and peer feedforward should be given more attention by teachers to support students write high‐quality argumentative essays for controversial issues.
Teachers and educational designers should not only provide opportunities for students to engage in peer feedback processes (how I am doing?) but also in peer feedforward processes (where to next?).
Phase 1 study of tazemetostat in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Munakata Wataru , Shirasugi Yukari , Tobinai Kensei , Onizuka Makoto , Makita Shinichi , Suzuki Rikio , Maruyama Dai , Kawai Hidetsugu , Izutsu Koji , Nakanishi Tadashi , Shiba Sari , Hojo Seichiro , Ando Kiyoshi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundTazemetostat is a selective and orally available inhibitor of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a histone methyltransferase and epigenetic regulator of cellular differentiation programs. We carried out a phase I study of tazemetostat in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory B‐cell non‐Hodgkin‐type lymphoma (B‐NHL) to evaluate its tolerability, safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary antitumor activity.MethodsTazemetostat was given orally at a single dose of 800 mg on the first day and 800 mg twice daily (BID: total 1600 mg/d) on following days in a 28‐day/cycle manner. Tazemetostat dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) was evaluated up to the end of the first treatment cycle. Archival tumor tissues were analyzed for hotspot EZH2 mutations.ResultsAs of 15 January 2018, seven patients (four follicular lymphoma [FL] and three diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma [DLBCL]) were enrolled. The median age was 73 (range, 59‐85) years, and the median number of prior chemotherapy regimens was three (range, one to five). No DLT was observed (one patient was not evaluable due to early disease progression). The common treatment‐related adverse events (AEs) were thrombocytopenia and dysgeusia (three patients each; 42.9%). No treatment‐related serious AEs were observed. The objective response rate was 57% (4/7 patients), including responses in three of four patients with FL and one of three patients with DLBCL. An EZH2 mutation was detected in one patient with FL responding to treatment.ConclusionsTazemetostat at 800 mg BID showed an acceptable safety profile and promising antitumor activity in Japanese patients with relapsed or refractory B‐NHL.
What Drove Housing Wealth Inequality in China?
Authors: Wan Guanghua , Wang Chen , Wu Yu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractAlthough China is experiencing a deterioration in wealth distribution where housing is playing a dominant role, this issue has received scant research attention despite its importance. Combining four rounds of the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) data, this paper measures and discusses wealth inequality in China, with a special emphasis on the contribution of housing. Our analysis reveals that housing is the largest contributor to wealth inequality, responsible for around 70 percent of total wealth inequality, and its contribution has been increasing over time. Our research efforts have focused on the housing wealth disparity, exploring its composition from alternative perspectives. The results show that housing wealth inequality has also been rising over time and an absolute majority of housing wealth inequality is due to within‐group gaps. Finally, we employ Wan's (2004) regression‐based decomposition methodology to quantify the contributions of different determinants to housing wealth disparity in China, and to demonstrate serious biases in the conventional approach that is often used to analyze housing wealth inequality.