bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate‐driven evolutionary change in reproductive and early‐acting life‐history traits in the perennial grass Festuca ovina
Authors: Trinder Sarah , Askew Andrew P. , Whitlock Raj 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Reproductive and early‐acting life‐history traits are likely to be particularly important determinants of plant fitness under a changing climate. There have, however, been few robust tests of the evolution of these traits under chronic climate change in natural ecosystems. Such studies are urgently needed, to evaluate the contribution of evolutionary change to population persistence.

Here, we examine climate‐driven evolutionary change in reproductive and early‐acting plant life‐history traits in the long‐lived perennial plant, Festuca ovina.

We collected established plants of F. ovina from species‐rich calcareous grassland at the Buxton Climate Change Impacts Laboratory (BCCIL), after 17 years of in situ experimental drought treatment.

P1 plants collected from drought‐treated and control (ambient climate) plots at BCCIL were used to create an open‐pollinated F1 progeny array, which was subsequently validated using microsatellite markers to establish a robust bi‐parental pedigree. We measured the timing of germination and seed mass in the F1 progeny, the P1 paternal contribution to F1 offspring (paternal reproductive success), and assessed the effects of flowering time on the mating system.

F1 seed with ancestry in drought‐treated plots at BCCIL germinated significantly later than seed derived from individuals from control plots. P1 plants from the drought treatment flowered significantly earlier than those from the control plots in summer 2012, but not in 2013. Male reproductive success was also lower in P1 plants collected from drought plots than those from control plots. Furthermore, our pedigree revealed that mating among parents of the F1 progeny had been assortative with respect to flowering time.

Synthesis. Our study shows that chronic drought treatment at Buxton Climate Change Impacts Laboratory has driven rapid evolutionary change in reproductive and early‐acting life‐history traits in Festuca ovina, and suggests that evolutionary differentiation may be reinforced through changes in flowering time that reduce the potential for gene flow.
Design and validation of a scoring model for differential diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy and nondiabetic renal diseases in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Li Li , Yang Yuan , Zhu Xuejing , Xiong Xiaofen , Zeng Lingfeng , Xiong Shan , Jiang Na , Li Chenrui , Yuan Shuguang , Xu Hui , Liu Fuyou , Sun Lin 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundWe aim to design a scoring model for differential diagnosis between diabetic nephropathy (DN) and nondiabetic renal disease (NDRD) in type 2 diabetic patients through a combination of clinical variables.MethodsA total of 170 patients with type 2 diabetes who underwent kidney biopsies were included and divided into three groups according to pathological findings: DN group (n = 46), MIX group (DN + NDRD, n = 54), NDRD group (n = 70). Clinical characteristics and laboratory data were collected and compared among groups. Variables with a significant statistical difference between DN and NDRD patients were analyzed by logistic regression to predict the presence of NDRD; then a scoring model was established based on the regression coefficient and further validated in an independent cohort of 67 patients prospectively.ResultsOn biopsy, 72.9% of patients had NDRD, and the most common pathological type was membranous nephropathy. The established scoring model for predicting NDRD included five predictors: age, systolic blood pressure, hemoglobin, duration of diabetes, and absence of diabetic retinopathy. The model demonstrated good discrimination and calibration (area under curve [AUC] 0.863, 95% CI, 0.800‐0.925; Hosmer‐Lemeshow [H‐L] P = .062). Furthermore, high prediction accuracy (AUC = 0.900; 95% CI, 0.815‐0.985) in the validation cohort proved the stability of the model.ConclusionsWe present a simple, robust scoring model for predicting the presence of NDRD with high accuracy (0.85) for the first time. This decision support tool provides a noninvasive method for differential diagnosis of DN and NDRD, which may help clinicians assess the risk‐benefit ratio of kidney biopsy for type 2 diabetic patients with renal impairment.
The influencing factors of satisfaction and lending intention in online lending investment: an empirical study based on the Chinese market
Authors: Xu Weidong , Zuo Ying , Gao Xin , Yao Minglong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis paper develops a platform‐based influencing factors model which considers value perception, risk prevention measure, non‐default experience, trust and incentive gap, to better examine the impact of platforms on investors’ satisfaction and lending intention based on the Chinese market. The results reveal that the first four factors positively influence the satisfaction of the investors, while the incentive gap has a negative impact, and there is a positive association between investors’ satisfaction and lending intention. Some specific features of China’s online lending market are identified, which provides valuable insights for online lending platforms and the government.
Modern Slavery and Freedom: Exploring Contradictions through Labour Scandals in the Thai Fisheries
Authors: Vandergeest Peter , Marschke Melissa 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis paper examines the modern anti‐slavery movement through the lens of the slavery scandal in Thailand’s fisheries sector. The slavery framing provoked a response on the part of governments, corporations and NGOs that produced improvements in working conditions. Nevertheless, we argue that while the slavery framing was effective in drawing attention and resources to solidarity groups, it provided a poor guide to action because of how it resolves complex and embodied relations of freedom and unfreedom into a simplified opposition that can be used to justify capitalism as the realm of freedom—rather than a cause of unfree labour or slavery. The Work in Fishing Convention (ILO C‐188) has provided a guide for laws and regulations intended to improve working conditions in industrial fishing in Thailand and elsewhere, but it does not address slavery or human trafficking. It also frames work in fisheries as exceptional, and thus allows for working conditions that would be considered unacceptable on land. We suggest that critical scholars be cautious about working with a slavery framing, and that they might want to engage with working conditions in ways that start less with questions of unfree labour, and more with how capitalist labour practices can be constrained.
Is there still a role of macular laser treatment in branch retinal vein occlusion in the era of intravitreal injections?
Authors: Stenner Anne Møller , Frederiksen Katrine Hartmund , Grauslund Jakob 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe aimed to evaluate whether macular laser still has a role in the treatment of macular oedema (MO) caused by branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and provide an overview of recent studies on commonly available treatment options. A literature search was last conducted in PubMed on 26 February 2019, limited to human randomized controlled trials published in English since 2008. Seventeen articles addressing 13 trials were included in this assessment. In trials evaluating intravitreal corticosteroid and macular laser, triamcinolone was non‐inferior to laser in regard to visual acuity (VA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) outcomes. Combination treatment of dexamethasone and laser resulted in better VA and lower CRT after 6 months. In trials evaluating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors versus macular laser treatment, or sham and rescue laser, better VA and CRT of VEGF inhibition treatment was consistently reported. Results of combination treatment versus VEGF inhibition monotherapy were inconsistent, with four of six studies reporting comparable outcomes and injection burden. Study comparison was affected by considerable differences in study design and inadequate reporting of laser protocol and rescue laser. Studies evaluating angiostatic treatment as monotherapy largely report the use of rescue laser, indicating that some patients would benefit from supplemental laser treatment even in the era of intravitreal therapy. Thus, we suggest further studies on optimal design of combination therapy prioritizing longer follow‐up time to sufficiently evaluate the delayed effect of laser.
Electrical synapses interconnecting axons revealed in the optic nerve head – a novel model of gap junctions’ involvement in optic nerve function
Authors: Smedowski Adrian , Akhtar Saeed , Liu Xiaonan , Pietrucha‐Dutczak Marita , Podracka Lucia , Toropainen Elisa , Alkanaan Aljoharah , Ruponen Marika , Urtti Arto , Varjosalo Markku , Kaarniranta Kai , Lewin‐Kowalik Joanna 
Published: October 2019

AbstractPurposeTo characterize newly discovered electrical synapses, formed by connexin (Cx) 36 and 45, between neighbouring axons within the optic nerve head.MethodsTwenty‐five Wistar rats were killed by CO2 inhalation. Proximal and distal optic nerve (ON) stumps were collected and processed for immunostainings, electron microscopy (EM) with immunogold labelling, PCR and Western blots (WB). Additional 15 animals were deeply anaesthetized, and flash visual evoked potentials (fVEP) after retrobulbar injection of saline (negative control) or 100 μm meclofenamic acid solution (gap junctions’ blocker) were recorded. Human paraffin cross‐sections of eyeballs for immunostainings were obtained from the Human Eye Biobank for Research.ResultsImmunostainings of both rat and human ON revealed the presence of Cx45 and 36 colocalizing with β3‐tubulin, but not with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In WB, Cx36 content in optic nerve was approximately halved when compared with retina (0.58 ± 0.005 in proximal stump and 0.44 ± 0.02 in distal stump), Cx45 showed higher levels (0.68 ± 0.01 in proximal stump and 0.9 ± 0.07 in distal stump). In immunogold‐EM of optic nerve sections, we found electric synapses (formed mostly by Cx45) directly coupling neighbouring axons. In fVEP, blocking of gap junctions with meclofenamic acid resulted in significant prolongation of the latency of P1 wave up to 160% after 30 min (p < 0.001).ConclusionsOptic nerve (ON) axons are equipped with electrical synapses composed of neuronal connexins, especially Cx45, creating direct morphological and functional connections between each other. This finding could have substantial implications for understanding of the pathogenesis of various optic neuropathies and identifies a new potential target for a therapeutic approach.
Are quiz‐games an effective revision tool in Anatomical Sciences for Higher Education and what do students think of them?
Authors: Wilkinson Kate , Dafoulas George , Garelick Hemda , Huyck Christian 
Published: October 2019

AbstractRecently, there has been an increased volume of pedagogical research and practice of mobile learning (m‐learning) and gameplay in education. This paper presents the findings of a study that examined the effect on achievement and explored student perception towards quiz‐game play prior to an anatomy assessment in first year Higher Education students. Achievement data was collected over two academic years at all module assessment (A1–A4) points. A1 was used as a baseline, showing no difference between groups or years, A2 and A3 were comparable online assessments done on the lower and upper limbs that followed the same format; A4 was a viva–voce to assess the whole module learning. The optional 15‐minute quiz‐gameplay intervention (G) using a mobile application was initiated prior to A3, those students who chose not to participate performed their traditional study routine; no other changes to assessments were made resulting in a Gameplay and non‐gameplay (G, NG) group for each year. Students were invited to participate in an online focus group (N = 84) and a sample undertook in‐depth interviews (N = 9) to gain qualitative data on their perceptions of the intervention. Students who participated in the gameplay (G) group (N = 87) demonstrated a significant improvement in A3 compared to A2, and the non‐game play (NG) group (N = 164) a significant decrease. A thematic analysis was undertaken on the focus group and interview data revealing key aspects of quiz‐gameplay as a learning tool. This paper offers insight into the potential benefit of encouraging m‐learning gameplay as part of revision or learning for anatomy students. This information could help educators and study support facilitate efficient revision methods as well as initiate further research into the use of anatomy gameplay to enhance the student learning experience.
Practitioner NotesWhat is already known about this topic

Repeated and formative quizzing can help memory or knowledge retention.
Gameplay can help student engagement, learning and flow depending on the game in question.
What this paper adds

Using mobile app‐based quiz‐games prior to an anatomy assessment can improve student achievement.
Students tend to play mobile app‐based quiz‐games whilst commuting on public transport, in their free time at home and at university.
Elements of mobile app‐based quiz‐games students identified as important are that they are interactive, allow competition, are visually appealing, provide instant feedback, are user friendly and are facilitated by the teacher.
Implications for practice

Educators should encourage mobile app‐based quiz‐games to increase short‐term learning or revision.
Educators should facilitate mobile learning quiz‐game opportunities to encourage learning outside of the classroom.
Educators wanting to integrate mobile app‐based quiz‐games in their classes should use the game attributes identified in this study.
A decade with whole exome sequencing in haematology
Authors: Hansen Marcus C. , Haferlach Torsten , Nyvold Charlotte G. 
Published: October 2019

SummaryThe first decade of capture‐based targeted whole exome sequencing (WES) has now passed, while the sequencing modality continues to find more widespread usage in clinical research laboratories and still offers an unprecedented diagnostic assay in terms of throughput, informational content and running costs. Until quite recently, WES has been out of reach for many clinicians and molecular biologists, and it still poses issues or is met with some reluctance with regards to cost versus benefit in terms of effective assay costs, hands‐on laboratory work and data analysis bottlenecks. Although WES is used more than ever, it may also be argued that the usage is peaking and that new implementations, or relevance in its current state, will likely be leveling off during the following decade as the price on whole genome sequencing continues to drop. In this review, we focus on the past decade of targeted whole exome sequencing in malignant hematology. We thematically revisit some of the significant discoveries and niches that use next‐generation sequencing, and we outline what and how WES has contributed to the field – from clonal hematopoiesis of the aging bone marrow to profiling malignancies down to the single cell.
Participating in a new group and the identification processes: The quest for a positive social identity
Authors: Cárdenas Diana , de la Sablonnière Roxane 
Published: October 2019

Immigrants experience identity shifts; they can identify with the new cultural group and, sometimes, identify less with their group of origin. Previous research suggests that participation in the new cultural group predicts these two identity shifts. However, these studies have exclusively used correlational methodologies. Furthermore, previous research ignored that when a group is negatively valued, individuals may not identify with it, even after participating in it, to preserve a positive social identity. This article tests with an experimental methodology whether participation recreated the identity shifts previously identified (greater identification with the new group and lower identification with the group of origin when perceiving dissimilarity). Furthermore, it tested how a group's value impacted these identity shifts following participation. Immigrants in Quebec (N = 184) either participated in Quebec's culture (watched hockey) or did not (watched basketball). Quebec's value was manipulated by changing whether Quebec won, tied, or lost the game. Compared to watching basketball, watching Quebec's team win or tie showed the hypothesized identity shifts, illustrating the importance of the new group's value when participating.
Monoclonal anti-dsDNA antibody 2C10 escorts DNA to intracellular DNA sensors in normal mononuclear cells and stimulates secretion of multiple cytokines implicated in lupus pathogenesis
Authors: Inoue K , Ishizawa M , Kubota T 
Published: October 2019

SummaryThere have been many studies on the mechanisms of internalization of DNA–anti-DNA immune complexes by cells, including the one used for rheumatoid factor-expressing mouse B cells. In parallel, studies on the role of intracellular DNA sensors in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been conducted, including the one using a mouse model lacking one of the sensors. These and other data have established a framework for understanding the pathogenic role of anti-DNA antibodies, but studies on normal cells are limited. Here, we used the monoclonal anti-dsDNA antibody 2C10, 2-kbp dsDNA and healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to test whether and how 2C10 and/or DNA cause pathology in normal cells. We found that on culture with PBMCs, 2C10 preferentially entered monocytes and that DNA enhanced this internalization. In contrast, DNA alone was not significantly internalized by monocytes, but 2C10 facilitated its internalization. This was suppressed by cytochalasin D, but not by methyl-β-cyclodextrin, chloroquine or an Fc blocker, suggesting the involvement of macropinocytosis in this process. Internalization of 2C10 and DNA together resulted in production of interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-γ, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-33 by PBMCs. Cytokine production was suppressed by chloroquine and shikonin, but not by RU.521, suggesting dependence on activation of the Toll-like receptor (TLR)-9 and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM-2) pathways. These results established a simple model to demonstrate that anti-DNA antibodies can cause dysregulation of cytokine network mimicking systemic lupus erythematosus in culture of normal PBMCs, and emphasize again the importance of maintaining anti-DNA antibodies at low levels by treatment.
Factors associated with exhaled nitric oxide in children with asthma and allergic rhinitis
Authors: Zhu Zheng , Xia Shu , Chen Xi , Guan Wei‐jie , Guo Zi‐jun , Sun Bao‐qing 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundFactors attributable to the level of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) in different age groups of asthmatic children are still lack of report.ObjectiveTo evaluate factors associated with FeNO and the response of FeNO to inhaled steroid in different age groups of asthmatic children with allergic rhinitis.MethodsAsthmatic children aged 5 to 12 years were recruited. FeNO, lung function and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) to methacholine, skin prick testing to a panel of aeroallergens, total immunoglobulin E (T‐IgE) in serum and eosinophils in blood were tested. Correlations between FeNO and the measured parameters were assessed. FeNO was measured again after the treatment of combined inhaled corticosteroid and long‐acting beta‐agonist (ICS/LABA) for 4 weeks. Changes in FeNO between different age groups were compared.ResultsA total of 121 eligible subjects were enrolled in and completed this study. Asthmatic children aged 10 to 12 years old had significantly higher FeNO than those between 8 and 9 years and 5 to 7 years of children (both P < 0.01). Greater height/age (P < 0.01) and higher level of total allergen IgE (P < 0.01) are associated with a higher value of FeNO. After 4 weeks of treatment with ICS/LABA, asthma control test scores were significantly increased in all age groups (P < 0.01), while the level of FeNO significantly decreased in the elder age group only (P < 0.01).ConclusionsHeight and T‐IgE are well correlated with FeNO in asthmatic children aged 5 to 12 years. Measurement of FeNO is more suitable for evaluating the efficacy of ICS/LABA in elder asthmatic children.
Spasticity and pain in adults with cerebral palsy
Authors: Flanigan Megan , Gaebler‐Spira Deborah , Kocherginsky Masha , Garrett Ariane , Marciniak Christina 
Published: October 2019

AimTo evaluate whether spasticity measures are related to pain in adults with cerebral palsy (CP).MethodThis cross‐sectional study recruited individuals aged 16 to 89 years with a diagnosis of CP. Participants completed the Penn Spasm Frequency Scale (PSFS), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), and PROMIS Pain Interference measures. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Tardieu spasticity angles of six joints were rated and summed to composite MAS and Tardieu scores for each participant. Associations between spasticity and pain measures were evaluated.ResultsForty‐seven participants (27 females, 20 males) with a mean age of 35 years 7 months (range 18–77y) spanning all Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels were included. Twenty‐six participants reported their average pain level on BPI as greater than 0 over the past week (median pain level 4.0). Median PSFS was 1.0 (range 0.0–1.0) and this correlated with average BPI and Pain Interference T scores (median 40.7; ρ=0.33 and ρ=0.31 respectively [both p=0.01]). When adjusted for pain medication use and age, MAS correlated with BPI (ρ=0.30; p=0.04). Other pain and spasticity measures, or GMFCS level, were not significantly related with pain interference or BPI rating. Age was weakly associated with BPI (slope=0.10; p<0.01).InterpretationPROMIS Pain Interference was lower than population‐based norms. Patient‐rated spasm frequency demonstrated better association with pain levels and interference than physician‐rated MAS and Tardieu.What this paper adds

Pain was not associated with Gross Motor Function Classification System level.

Pain increased with age, as anticipated.

Self‐reported spasm scores were associated with increased pain in contrast to clinical examination scales.

Adjusted, summed spasticity on the Modified Ashworth Scale was associated with pain scores on the Brief Pain Inventory.

Although pain is experienced by adults with cerebral palsy, pain did not interfere with activities.