bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sequential decline in fruit resource allocation within inflorescences of Sagittaria trifolia: a test of non‐uniform pollination hypothesis
Authors: Dai Can , Li Le‐Na , Wang Zheng‐Xiang , Liao Kuo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFlowering plants often exhibit declining resource investment to floral organs, fruits and seeds temporally or spatially in an inflorescence. To account for such variances, non‐uniform pollination hypothesis, which highlights various mating environments each flower experiences, provides adaptive significance for allocation patterns but with controversial supports. Sagittaria trifolia (Alismataceae) was used to examine differences in seed number, seed weight and germination rate among sequential fruits within inflorescences. Ovule number was also investigated to evaluate allocation patterns in the floral stage. To test the non‐uniform pollination hypothesis, we used three polymorphic microsatellite loci of S. trifolia to estimate the seed outcrossing rate in proximal and distal fruits. The results showed that the seed number, average seed weight and seed germination rate of S. trifolia gradually decreased from proximal to distal fruits within inflorescences. The percent of decrease in seed number between two contiguous fruits was 14.68 ± 3.22%, which was much stronger than the percent of decrease in ovule number at 6.95 ± 1.60%. Both proximal and distal fruits within inflorescences had high outcrossing rates (81.5 ± 5.0%, proximal; 82.3 ± 6.9%, distal) and they did not differ significantly. Overall, there was an acropetal decline of resource allocation to fruits within inflorescences of S. trifolia. Allocation pattern to ovules was not a limiting factor for seed production. The lack of difference in outcrossing rate between proximal and distal fruits indicated that the allocation strategy was probably not caused by non‐uniform pollination, but more likely position effects.
Genetic responses to carbon and nitrogen availability in Anabaena
Authors: Herrero Antonia , Flores Enrique 
Published: August 2018

SummaryHeterocyst‐forming cyanobacteria are filamentous organisms that perform oxygenic photosynthesis and CO2 fixation in vegetative cells and nitrogen fixation in heterocysts, which are formed under deprivation of combined nitrogen. These organisms can acclimate to use different sources of nitrogen and respond to different levels of CO2. Following work mainly done with the best studied heterocyst‐forming cyanobacterium, Anabaena, here we summarize the mechanisms of assimilation of ammonium, nitrate, urea and N2, the latter involving heterocyst differentiation, and describe aspects of CO2 assimilation that involves a carbon concentration mechanism. These processes are subjected to regulation establishing a hierarchy in the assimilation of nitrogen sources –with preference for the most reduced nitrogen forms– and a dependence on sufficient carbon. This regulation largely takes place at the level of gene expression and is exerted by a variety of transcription factors, including global and pathway‐specific transcriptional regulators. NtcA is a CRP‐family protein that adjusts global gene expression in response to the C‐to‐N balance in the cells, and PacR is a LysR‐family transcriptional regulator (LTTR) that extensively acclimates the cells to oxygenic phototrophy. A cyanobacterial‐specific transcription factor, HetR, is involved in heterocyst differentiation, and other LTTR factors are specifically involved in nitrate and CO2 assimilation.
Mapping the Australian Poverty Profile: A Multidimensional Deprivation Approach
Authors: Saunders Peter , Naidoo Yuvisthi 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe limitations of income‐based poverty lines are widely acknowledged, but Australia lags behind many other countries in implementing new measures of social disadvantage based on the deprivation approach. A new suite of questions included in wave 14 of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey allows the deprivation approach to be applied. This article describes the advantages of the deprivation approach and shows that while the income and deprivation approaches can produce similar overall results, the circumstances of some sub‐groups vary greatly according to which measure is used. A measure based on deprivation alone and/or a combined measure would be an important complement to conventional income‐based poverty rates.
A prokaryotic–eukaryotic relation in the fat body of Bombus terrestris
Authors: Parmentier Anneleen , Billiet Annelies , Smagghe Guy , Vandamme Peter , Deforce Dieter , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip , Meeus Ivan 
Published: August 2018

SummaryThe interaction between the insect host and its microbiota plays a central role in insect health and is mostly studied in relation to the digestive system. Nonetheless, there are numerous microorganisms occupying multiple habitats in and on insects. We studied microbial communities in the gut and fat body of bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) using the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene on the Illumina MiSeq platform. In one of the two study locations, the fat body microbial composition was marked by the dominant presence of Arsenophonus sp. and Phyllobacterium sp. Bumblebees infected with Apicystis bombi, a eukaryotic parasite multiplying in the fat body, had a significant higher relative abundance of Arsenophonus sp. compared with the non‐infected individuals. In general, the infection of A. bombi correlated with a more interlinked microbial association network, as we observed an increase of significant associations between the relative abundance of bacteria present in the gut and fat body of infected bumblebees. The causality within this potential prokaryotic–eukaryotic relation is important when assessing the health impact on bees.
Association between perioperative hyperoxia and cerebrovascular complications after laparotomy—A post‐hoc follow‐up study
Authors: Kongebro Emilie Katrine , Jorgensen Lars N. , Siersma Volkert D. , Meyhoff Christian Sahlholt 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundPerioperative hyperoxia has been linked to increased long‐term mortality. Vasoconstrictive and cellular side effects to hyperoxia have been suggested to increase the risk of coronary and cerebral ischemia. The aim of this post‐hoc analysis of a large randomized trial was to compare the effects of 80% vs 30% perioperative oxygen on the long‐term risk of stroke or transient cerebral ischemia (TCI) in patients undergoing abdominal surgery.MethodsA total of 1386 patients were randomized to 80% or 30% perioperative oxygen during acute or elective open abdominal surgery. Median follow‐up was 3.9 years. Primary outcome was a composite of the long‐term occurrence of stroke or TCI. Secondary outcomes included long‐term mortality without stroke or TCI, and incidences of neurological admission, psychiatric admission, and dementia. Outcomes were analyzed in Cox regression models.ResultsStroke or TCI occurred in 20 (3.0%) patients given 80% oxygen vs 22 (3.2%) patients given 30% oxygen with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.96 [95% CI 0.52‐1.76]. Composite secondary outcome of death, stroke, or TCI had a HR of 1.21 [95% CI 1.00‐1.47] for 80% compared to 30% oxygen. HRs for secondary outcomes were HR 1.14 [95% CI 0.79‐1.64] for neurological admission, 1.34 [95% CI 0.95‐1.88] for psychiatric admission and 0.54 [95% CI 0.16‐1.80] for dementia.ConclusionStroke or TCI did not seem related to perioperative inspiratory oxygen fraction. Due to few events, this study cannot exclude that perioperative hyperoxia increases risk of mortality, stroke, or TCI after abdominal surgery.
Cloninger's Temperament Dimensions and Longitudinal Alcohol Use in Early Midlife: A Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study
Authors: Vladimirov Daniel , Niemelä Solja , Keinänen‐Kiukaanniemi Sirkka , Ala‐Mursula Leena , Auvinen Juha , Timonen Markku , Miettunen Jouko 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundTemperament is theorized to be an important factor contributing to the development of alcohol use disorder, but longitudinal studies on how temperament is related to alcohol use among general population in midlife are scarce. Our aims were to investigate potentially reciprocal associations between temperament and changes in alcohol use from age 31 to 46 using prospective birth cohort data.MethodWithin the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, alcohol use and temperament were studied at ages 31 and 46. Participants (N = 5,274) were classified into moderate users, abstainers and heavy users based on their mean alcohol use (g/d). Additionally, participants were categorized as steady users, reducers, or increasers. Multinomial regression analyses were conducted with Cloninger's Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) scores as factors influencing alcohol use using moderate and stable users as reference groups. Reciprocity of relations was assessed with cross‐lagged structural equation modeling.ResultsTemperament and alcohol use are rather stable in midlife. Novelty seeking (NS) predicted heavy use (OR = 1.4; CI: 1.3 to 1.6 for men, OR = 1.3; CI: 1.1 to 1.5 for women) and increasing use (OR = 1.2; CI: 1.1 to 1.4 for men, OR = 1.1; CI: 1.0 to 1.3 for women), whereas low NS predicted abstaining among women (OR = 0.7; CI: 0.6 to 0.8). High harm avoidance (HA) predicted abstaining (OR = 1.3; CI: 1.1 to 1.5) for men. Low persistence (P) among men predicted both abstaining (OR = 0.9; CI: 0.7 to 0.98) and heavy use (OR = 0.9; CI: 0.8 to 0.98). Among women, low reward dependence (RD) predicted heavy use (OR = 0.8; CI: 0.7 to 0.9). Among TCI scores, only NS predicted increasing use in the cross‐lagged models.ConclusionsTemperament has an impact on alcohol use in midlife. Of the TCI dimensions, only NS seems to predispose to increased alcohol use and problem use throughout life. Additionally, RD among women and P among men are significant factors from a life‐course perspective. Our results did not support Cloninger's theory on type I alcoholism, as HA showed no relation to problematic alcohol use in midlife.
Mediators of the effect of nicotine pre‐treatment on quitting smoking
Authors: Hajek Peter , Lewis Sarah , Munafo Marcus , Lindson Nicola , Coleman Tim , Aveyard Paul ,   on behalf of the The Preloading Investigators
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackground and aimsUsing smoking cessation medications for several weeks prior to quitting smoking facilitates quitting success, but how it does so is not clear. Candidate theories are that pre‐cessation medication enhances self‐efficacy, facilitates medication adherence post‐quit, induces aversion to smoking, reduces reward from smoking or reduces the drive to smoke. We investigated these pathways using data from a large trial of nicotine pre‐loading, using mediation analysis.DesignRandomized controlled trial of nicotine pre‐loading. Potential mediators were assessed at baseline and 1 week into the pre‐loading (3 weeks prior to quitting). In addition to this, urges to smoke in abstainers were assessed 1 week after the target quit date.SettingEngland.ParticipantsA total of 1792 smokers who wanted to quit attending specialist smoking cessation services in England were enrolled between 13 August 2012 and 10 March 2015.Intervention and comparatorParticipants were randomized to either standard smoking cessation medications accompanied by behavioural support or the same treatment supplemented by nicotine ‘pre‐loading’, i.e. 4 weeks of 21 mg nicotine patch use prior to quitting.MeasurementsThe primary outcome, selected for its proximity in time to potential mediators, was biochemically validated abstinence from smoking at 4 weeks post‐target quit date. Potential mediators included the Modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire, with subscales assessing satisfaction, reward, craving and aversion; ratings of strength and frequency of urges to smoke; the Mood and Physical Symptoms Scale assessing cigarette withdrawal symptoms; two items from the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale assessing smoking stereotypy; self‐reported reduction in cigarettes per day and in carbon monoxide (CO) reading; post‐target quit day (TQD) medication adherence; self‐efficacy; nausea.FindingsPre‐loading reduced urges to smoke at 3 weeks pre‐quit (P < 0.001) and exhaled CO concentrations (P < 0.001), and also urges to smoke post‐quit in abstainers (P = 0.001). At 3 weeks pre‐quit, it also reduced cigarette consumption, enjoyment of and satisfaction from smoking and smoking reward and increased nausea, aversion (all P < 0.001) and smoking stereotypy (P = 0.003). Only the first three variables, however (reduced smoke intake and reduced urges to smoke pre‐ and post‐quit), mediated abstinence from smoking at 4 weeks and only the latter two mediated abstinence at 6 months (indirect mediating effects P < 0.05).ConclusionsNicotine pre‐loading appears to facilitate smoking abstinence by reducing urges to smoke and smoke intake before quitting and urges to smoke after quitting.
Alcohol consumption and all‐cause mortality in older adults in Spain: an analysis accounting for the main methodological issues
Authors: Ortolá Rosario , García‐Esquinas Esther , López‐García Esther , León‐Muñoz Luz M. , Banegas José R. , Rodríguez‐Artalejo Fernando 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackground and aimsObservational evidence that light‐to‐moderate alcohol consumption lowers mortality is questioned because of potential selection biases and residual confounding. We assess the association between alcohol intake and all‐cause death in older adults after accounting for those methodological issues.MethodsData came from 3045 individuals representative of the non‐institutionalized population aged ≥ 60 years in Spain. Participants were recruited in 2008–10, when they reported current and life‐time alcohol intake; drinkers were classified as occasional (< 1.43 g/day), light (≥ 1.43 but < 20 g/day for men and ≥ 1.43 but < 10 g/day for women), moderate (≥ 20 but < 40 g/day for men and ≥ 10 but < 20 g/day for women) or heavy (≥ 40 g/day for men and ≥ 24 g/day for women)/binge. Participants were followed‐up to 2017 to assess vital status. In analyses, ex‐drinkers were removed from the abstainer group and were classified according to their life‐time intake to address the ‘abstainer bias’. Moreover, analyses were replicated in individuals without functional limitations, and excluded deaths in the first year of follow‐up, to address reverse causation. Also, occasional drinkers were used as reference in some analyses to reduce the ‘healthy drinker/survivor’ bias. Results were adjusted for many covariates to minimize residual confounding.ResultsCompared with never‐drinkers, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of mortality for light drinkers was 1.05 (0.71–1.56) and 1.20 (0.72–2.02) in those without functional limitations. Corresponding values for moderate drinkers were 1.28 (0.81–2.02) and 1.55 (0.87–2.75) and for heavy/binge drinkers 1.85 (1.07–3.23) and 2.15 (1.09–4.22). Results were consistent when occasional drinkers were used as reference. Among drinkers without functional limitations, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) of mortality per 10 g/day of alcohol was 1.12 (1.02–1.23).ConclusionAfter accounting for potential biases, light‐to‐moderate drinking among people 60+ years of age appears to have no statistically significant benefit on mortality compared with abstention from alcohol. By contrast, heavy/binge drinking shows a higher death risk compared with abstention from alcohol. Alcohol intake appears to have a positive dose–response with mortality among drinkers.
Gambling despite financial loss—the role of losses disguised as wins in multi‐line slots
Authors: Graydon Candice , Dixon Mike J. , Stange Madison , Fugelsang Jonathan A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBackground and AimsSlot machines pose serious problems for a subset of gamblers. On multi‐line slots, many small credit returns are less than one's spin wager, resulting in a net loss to the player. These outcomes are called ‘losses disguised as wins’ (LDWs). We aimed to show that different proportions of LDWs could differentially affect gambling persistence (continuing to gamble despite financial loss), but that such LDW effects may depend on problem gambling symptomatology.DesignGamblers were randomized to play 100 spins on a game with few, moderate or many LDWs (between‐subjects design), then continued playing for as long as they wished during (unbeknown to players) a losing streak (to measure gambling persistence).SettingA custom‐built casino in a gambling research laboratory in Waterloo, Canada.ParticipantsExperienced gamblers (n = 132) with varying levels of problem gambling symptomatology from the Waterloo, Canada community.MeasurementsWe measured the number of voluntary spins participants played (persistence) during the losing streak following the 100‐spin playing sessions. We measured problem gambling symptomatology using the Problem Gambling Severity Index, and classified them as non‐problem (n = 53), low‐risk (n = 55) or higher‐risk (n = 24) gamblers.FindingsPersistence trends differed depending on LDW frequency and problem‐gambling status (interaction: P = 0.037). High‐risk gamblers showed a ‘sweet spot’ for LDW reinforcement, persisting for longer in the moderate than few or many LDW games (quadratic trend across LDW games: P = 0.028). Non‐problem gamblers showed a linear trend across LDW games, gambling for longer in the few LDW game (P = 0.007). For low‐risk gamblers, the quadratic contrast was not significant, P = 0.032.ConclusionsMulti‐line slots contain outcomes in which one gains less than the original wager (losses disguised as wins or LDWs). Moderate (versus few and high) proportions of LDWs appear to make higher‐risk players gamble for longer despite financial loss.
Pre‐operative carcinoembryonic antigen predicts survival following colorectal cancer surgery with curative intent
Authors: Gunawardene Ashok , Larsen Peter , Shekouh Ali , Dennett Elizabeth 
Published: August 2018

BackgroundCirculating biomarkers may be of value in providing additional prognostic information to the TNM staging system. Previous population‐level studies suggest a prognostic role for pre‐operative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The purpose of this study is to verify the prognostic role of pre‐operative CEA at the individual level, in a New Zealand cohort of colorectal cancer patients.MethodsRetrospective cohort study of patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for colorectal adenocarcinoma between 2010 and 2012 at a tertiary hospital in New Zealand. One hundred and thirty‐nine patients had pre‐operative CEA data available and were included in the study. The main outcomes measured were overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) over a minimum of 5 years of follow up.ResultsPre‐operative CEA was requested in 138 out of 237 (58.2%) patients undergoing surgery. The median age was 71 years and median follow‐up duration 61 months. High CEA was not associated with the incidence of disease recurrence (P = 0.69). A significant difference was found between high and low CEA for OS (P = 0.09) and DFS (P = 0.04). On multi‐variate survival analysis, pre‐operative CEA was identified as an independent predictor of OS (HR 2.50, 95% CI 1.17–5.36, P = 0.02) and DFS (HR 1.78, 95% CI 1.02–3.13, P = 0.04).ConclusionWe identified pre‐operative CEA as an independent predictor of OS and DFS on an individual level. CEA offers additional prognostic value to TNM staging and should be requested routinely as part of the pre‐operative work‐up.
Women’s experiences of miscarriage related to diagnosis, duration, and type of treatment
Authors: Volgsten Helena , Jansson Caroline , Darj Elisabeth , Stavreus‐Evers Anneli 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIntroductionWomen with miscarriage experience several negative emotional feelings such as grief, isolation, coping, and despair. However, less is known about how the type of treatment and diagnosis of miscarriage influence the emotional experience.Material and methodsThe present study was a randomized prospective longitudinal cohort study, in which women with spontaneous miscarriage (n = 35), and women with missed miscarriage (n = 67), were included to answer three validated questionnaires: Revised Impact of Miscarriage Scale, Perinatal Grief Scale, and Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, concerning experience of miscarriage, psychological well‐being, and mental health 1 week and 4 months after finalized treatment.ResultsThere was no difference between the 2 diagnosis groups in feelings as measured by Revised Impact of Miscarriage Scale, Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, and Perinatal Grief Scale 1 week after the miscarriage. However, the psychological well‐being improved significantly 4 months after the miscarriage. Separated by treatment, women treated with misoprostol alone had more depressive symptoms than women treated with misoprostol and subsequent vacuum aspiration.ConclusionsIt can be concluded that diagnosis of miscarriage had limited influence on the experiences of miscarriage, but shorter duration of treatment with misoprostol and subsequent vacuum aspiration resulted in fewer depressive symptoms.
Review shows that lipid disorders are associated with endothelial but not renal dysfunction in children
Authors: Kosmeri Chrysoula , Siomou Ekaterini , Vlahos Antonios P. , Milionis Haralampos 
Published: August 2018

AbstractAimWe undertook this review to assess the effects of lipid metabolism abnormalities on endothelial and renal function in children.MethodsA search of relevant literature published in English from January 1988 to May 2018 was performed, and this included randomised controlled trials, observational cohort studies, systematic reviews and case reports.ResultsThe search process identified 2324 relevant studies and 29 were finally included. Noninvasive ultrasound markers of endothelial dysfunction, such as flow‐mediated dilation and carotid intima‐media thickness, were impaired in children with dyslipidaemia. Dietary interventions and statin therapy reversed the effects of dyslipidaemia on endothelial function in children. Most data from adult studies failed to prove a causative relationship between dyslipidaemia and renal disease progression or a beneficial effect of lipid‐lowering treatment on renal outcomes. The limited paediatric data did not indicate dyslipidaemia as an independent risk factor for renal dysfunction, which was mainly estimated by cystatin C levels or proteinuria. Therefore, further investigation is needed to clarify a potential relationship.ConclusionIn view of limited available paediatric evidence, dyslipidaemia may be adversely associated with endothelial function. However, the association between lipid metabolism disorders and renal function in childhood needs to be further investigated.
Downward nominal wage rigidity in Canada: Evidence against a “greasing effect”
Authors: Wagner Joel 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe existence of downward nominal wage rigidity (DNWR) has often been used to justify a positive inflation target. It is traditionally assumed that positive inflation could “grease the wheels” of the labour market by putting downward pressure on real wages, easing labour market adjustments during a recession. A rise in the inflation target would attenuate the long‐run level of unemployment and hasten economic recovery after an adverse shock. Following Daly and Hobijn (2014), we re‐examine these issues in a model that accounts for precautionary motives in wage‐setting behaviour. We confirm that DNWR generates a long‐run negative relationship between inflation and unemployment, in line with previous contributions to the literature. However, we also find that the increase in the number of people bound by DNWR following a negative demand shock rises with the inflation target, offsetting the beneficial effects a higher inflation target has on closing the unemployment gap. As an implication, contrary to previous contributions that neglected precautionary behaviour, the speed at which unemployment returns back to pre‐crisis levels during recessions is relatively unaffected by variations in the inflation target.