bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Small snails, high productivity? Larval output of parasites from an abundant host
Authors: Rosenkranz Micha , Lagrue Clement , Poulin Robert , Selbach Christian 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHow energy is transformed and distributed within ecosystems is a fundamental question in ecology. Parasites have been shown to play an essential role in these processes. In particular, the larval stages of trematodes, that is, cercariae, appear to contribute significantly to biomass and productivity in aquatic systems.Overall, ecosystem‐wide studies on parasite productivity remain scarce and have typically investigated systems with large hosts and high parasite infection rates. These studies may thus represent isolated cases of exceptionally high parasite contribution to ecosystem energetics, potentially overestimating the importance of parasite biomass.Here, we quantified the productivity of trematode cercariae from a small but hyper‐abundant snail intermediate host with only moderate trematode prevalence (i.e., proportion of infected individuals) in an entire lake ecosystem. We assessed individual larval output from snails and calculated the overall trematode productivity in the ecosystem.Average output of individual trematode species ranged from 3 to 62 cercariae per snail per day and correlated negatively with individual cercarial size. Cercarial productivity was not uniformly distributed across trematode taxa, but dominated by the most common species that accounted for more than 80% of the productivity.Total cercarial productivity amounted to 1.85 g m−2, which falls within the ranges of previous studies from freshwater systems. Small but abundant snail populations may thus support a considerable productivity of parasites. However, total annual cercarial productivity in the study system amounted to 5.9 kg, which constituted just 1.2% of the standing stock snail biomass, suggesting that intermediate host populations are potentially underexploited by their parasites. Moreover, comparisons with previous studies revealed contrasting patterns of parasite productivity and biomass contribution across different habitats, showing that impacts of parasites on ecosystem energetics can vary widely.Overall, we are still far away from having a complete picture of the dynamics of parasite productivity and biomass in many ecosystems. It therefore remains critical to quantify the contribution of parasites to the flow and distribution of energy and nutrients within and across habitats, to better understand their impacts on fundamental ecological principles, such as food‐web structure and ecosystem energetics.
Canopy structure and topography jointly constrain the microclimate of human‐modified tropical landscapes
Authors: Jucker Tommaso , Hardwick Stephen R. , Both Sabine , Elias Dafydd M.O. , Ewers Robert M. , Milodowski David T. , Swinfield Tom , Coomes David A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractLocal‐scale microclimatic conditions in forest understoreys play a key role in shaping the composition, diversity and function of these ecosystems. Consequently, understanding what drives variation in forest microclimate is critical to forecasting ecosystem responses to global change, particularly in the tropics where many species already operate close to their thermal limits and rapid land‐use transformation is profoundly altering local environments. Yet our ability to characterize forest microclimate at ecologically meaningful scales remains limited, as understorey conditions cannot be directly measured from outside the canopy. To address this challenge, we established a network of microclimate sensors across a land‐use intensity gradient spanning from old‐growth forests to oil‐palm plantations in Borneo. We then combined these observations with high‐resolution airborne laser scanning data to characterize how topography and canopy structure shape variation in microclimate both locally and across the landscape. In the processes, we generated high‐resolution microclimate surfaces spanning over 350 km2, which we used to explore the potential impacts of habitat degradation on forest regeneration under both current and future climate scenarios. We found that topography and vegetation structure were strong predictors of local microclimate, with elevation and terrain curvature primarily constraining daily mean temperatures and vapour pressure deficit (VPD), whereas canopy height had a clear dampening effect on microclimate extremes. This buffering effect was particularly pronounced on wind‐exposed slopes but tended to saturate once canopy height exceeded 20 m—suggesting that despite intensive logging, secondary forests remain largely thermally buffered. Nonetheless, at a landscape‐scale microclimate was highly heterogeneous, with maximum daily temperatures ranging between 24.2 and 37.2°C and VPD spanning two orders of magnitude. Based on this, we estimate that by the end of the century forest regeneration could be hampered in degraded secondary forests that characterize much of Borneo's lowlands if temperatures continue to rise following projected trends.
Once‐weekly prophylaxis with 40 IU/kg nonacog beta pegol (N9‐GP) achieves trough levels of >15% in patients with haemophilia B: Pooled data from the paradigm™ trials
Authors: Oldenburg Johannes , Carcao Manuel , Lentz Steven R. , Mahlangu Johnny , Mancuso Maria Elisa , Matsushita Tadashi , Négrier Claude , Clausen Wan Hui Ong , Ehrenforth Silke , Young Guy 
Published: September 2018

IntroductionProphylaxis with replacement factor IX (FIX) reduces bleeding frequency and improves quality of life in haemophilia B patients. With prophylaxis, the likelihood of bleeding is lowered with increasing trough levels. New products with extended half‐life (EHL) can maintain high factor activity levels over prolonged periods, compared with standard FIX products.AimTo evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of the new recombinant FIX EHL product, nonacog beta pegol (N9‐GP), using pooled data, with a focus on—but not limited to—prophylaxis at 40 IU/kg.MethodsN9‐GP has been investigated in males with congenital haemophilia B and FIX activity ≤2% in the paradigm™ clinical trial programme. This analysis includes pooled data from five completed paradigm™ trials conducted in previously treated adults, adolescents and children, focusing on results of prophylaxis with 40 IU/kg once‐weekly intravenous dosing.ResultsIn total, 115 previously treated patients were exposed to N9‐GP. Of 54 patients (47%) treated with N9‐GP 40 IU/kg once‐weekly prophylaxis, 72% experienced no spontaneous bleeds over 1 year. In all patients receiving 40 IU/kg once‐weekly, median overall annualized bleeding rate (ABR) was 1.03 (interquartile range 0.00; 2.89); median spontaneous ABR was 0.00 (0.00; 0.80). No patients developed inhibitors. Estimated mean steady‐state trough levels with N9‐GP 40 IU/kg once‐weekly were ≥15% overall; 27.3% in adolescents and adults.ConclusionN9‐GP 40 IU/kg once‐weekly was well tolerated and effective in preventing bleeding, maintaining mean FIX activity levels ≥15% across all age groups. N9‐GP may provide a new treatment option for preventing bleeding in haemophilia B patients.
Impact of intermediate‐dose prophylaxis on progression of haemarthropathy in patients with severe haemophilia A: A 10‐year, single‐centre experience in Korea
Authors: Kim Ju Y. , Lee Da J. , Chun Tong J. , You Chur W. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimTo determine the impact of 10‐year intermediate‐dose prophylaxis on haemarthropathy progression in patients with severe haemophilia A (SHA).MethodsProphylactic treatment with intermediate dose was given maximally for 10 years to 42 patients with SHA in a haemophilia treatment centre in Korea. Patients were divided into three groups based on prophylactic treatment started age: 1‐10 (group A’), 11‐20 (group B’), and ≥21 (group C’). Average annual increase of Pettersson score (P‐score) was compared between the treatment groups.ResultsAverage ages and P‐scores at initiation of prophylaxis were 4.65±3.43 years and 2.09±3.25, 16.13±1.73 years and 7.37±4.38, and 28.33±7.25 years and 12.33±6.50 for groups A’, B’, and C’. Average annual increase of P‐score in groups A’, B’, and C’ was 0.039±0.11, 0.063±0.123, and 0.078±0.124. Assuming that intermediate‐dose prophylaxis started at the average age, P‐score and annual increase of P‐score would be the average values of each group; it would thus take 210 and 46.5 years to reach –2SD of the average critical level of haemarthropathy (The level of haemarthropathy (P‐score 13.0 ± 2.7) above which there is a significant impact on quality of life in Korean) in groups A’ and B’. However, it would take 55 and 15.75 years if the annual P‐score increase were +2SD of the average value in groups A’ and B’.ConclusionIntermediate‐dose prophylaxis for patients with SHA in Korea would maintain arthropathy below the critical level for most of the patients’ lifetime when started before adolescence. However, this would not be achieved in some adolescent patients with rapid progression of arthropathy and in most adult patients.
Endodontic pathogens possess collagenolytic properties that degrade human dentine collagen matrix
Authors: Marashdeh M. Q. , Gitalis R. , Lévesque C. , Finer Y. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAimTo measure collagenolytic protease activity from Enterococcus faecalis and Micrococcus luteus and their ability to degrade human dentinal collagen.MethodologyProteases activity of E. faecalis ATCC 29212, ATCC 47077 and M. luteus towards generic and specific human matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) substrates was measured using a fluorimetric assay. The ability of the bacteria to degrade dentinal collagen was tested by quantifying the amount of hydroxyproline released into the media following incubation of the bacteria or heat‐inactivated bacteria (HIN) with demineralized human dentine samples for 24 h and by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Multifactorial anova and Tukey's post hoc test were used to analyse the data (P < 0.05).ResultsAll strains had MMP‐like activities, but with different substrate affinity; E. faecalis ATCC 29212, ATCC 47077 and M. luteus had the greatest affinity towards MMP‐8 (7.75 ± 0.88 μmol L−1/3 × 106 CFU), MMP‐9 (33.86 ± 5.16 μmol L−1/3 × 106 CFU) and generic MMP (26.08 ± 4.48 μmol L−1/3 × 106 CFU), respectively. The amount of hydroxyproline released from demineralized dentine was similar (P > 0.05) for the three strains (range 1.8 ± 0.17 to 2.38 ± 0.39 μg 50 μL−1) and was significantly higher (P < 0.001) compared to their HIN counterparts (0.61 ± 0.22 μg 50 μL−1). SEM revealed increased collagen network degradation after incubation with bacteria versus HIN.ConclusionsEndodontic pathogens possess collagenolytic protease properties that enable them to degrade dentinal collagen, potentially compromising the restoration‐tooth and sealer‐tooth interfaces. These collagenolytic protease properties could facilitate the migration of pathogenic bacteria into the root canal system and explain in part their role in root canal infections.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sri Lanka: effect on quality of life
Authors: Refai Wardha F. , Madarasingha Nayani P. , Sumanasena Buthsiri , Weerasingha Sudath , Fernandopulle Rohini , Karunaweera Nadira D. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe quality of life in many patients is affected by skin lesions. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), the commonest form of leishmaniasis, is no exception. In Sri Lanka, CL is an emerging parasitological condition with over 3,000 cases within the last decade. Lesions are often seen on exposed parts of the body which may cause social stigma, and hence a study was done to assess the changes in quality of life of CL patients.MethodA total of 294 patients (200 civilians and 94 army personnel) answered a previously validated Sinhala self‐administered Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire and an interviewer‐administered questionnaire.ResultsFrom the majority of the civilian population, 47% had no effect on their quality of life due to CL lesions, 33.5% were affected in a small way, 12.5% were affected moderately, 6.5% suffered in a large way, and 0.5% (one patient) were extremely affected due a large ulcerative lesion being on the face. The effect on quality of life was negligible in the majority of army patients as well (35.1% no effect, 31.9% small effect), with a few patients affected moderately and very largely (22.3 and 10.6%, respectively). The most affected domain in patients was symptoms and feeling 1.27 ± 1.400 (mean ± SD), and the least was the relationships domain 0.27 ± 0.625.ConclusionCL does not seem to affect the quality of life in the majority of Sri Lankan patients when compared to CL in other parts of the world or other skin diseases.
The Integrated Approach to Teaching Visual Art in After‐School Activity Classes
Authors: Blagoeva Nadezda Vladimirova , Karppinen Seija , Kairavuori Seija 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe present article discusses the possibilities of interdisciplinary integration for teaching art to primary‐school students in after‐school activities. Integrated teaching, as one of the ways for putting into practice the socioconstructivist approach to learning and the theory of the guided construction of knowledge, is used as a basis for conceiving and implementing the two projects described in the empirical part of the article. The research questions, addressed here, aim at finding out how a project‐based approach and the knowledge gained in school and through the students’ individual experiences can be applied pedagogically in after‐school art activities. To achieve the aims of the study a two‐cycle action research was conducted where the integrated teaching was viewed as a developmental spiral, in which the insights, experiences and results gained from the first project fed into the planning and realisation of the second one. The outcomes of the two projects suggest that the integrated presentation of teaching material enhances the students’ learning abilities to make associative connections between the different subjects, to transfer their skills from one project into another, and to apply their knowledge from one subject area to another by processing various sources of visual or verbal information in their creation of artworks. The two projects have proven empirically the validity and educational relevance of the integrated approach to teaching art, and the usefulness of the ideas in the New Finnish Core Curriculum for the holistic development of the child in the complexity of today's world.
Revealing Students’ Ethical Awareness during Problem Framing
Authors: Gray Colin M. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractExpert designers determine what problem needs to be solved by creating a frame that allows the identification of potential solutions. However, it is unclear how students learn to generate these frames effectively, particularly in relation to ethical decision‐making and selecting appropriate constraints. In this study, undergraduate and graduate industrial design students at a large Midwestern United States university participated in a one‐day workshop that focused on designing products for natives of sub‐Saharan Africa to sell in their home nations. Participants (n=100) worked in 21 teams to generate a range of constraints and problem statements while being scaffolded by instructions, research materials and worksheets. Teams struggled to identify specific use contexts and users, even though these elements were present in relatively complex form in provided research materials. Students appeared to build distance between their own experiences and that of users they were designing for, leading to little awareness of the ethical and normative commitments that were reified in their problem statements and solutions. Implications for the explicit development of an ethically aware design character in design education are considered.
Drawing and the Aestheticisation of the Human Figure by Four‐ to Ten‐Year‐Old Botswana Children: Implications for Pedagogy
Authors: Mannathoko Magdeline Chilalu , Mamvuto Attwell 
Published: September 2018

AbstractDrawing is one of children's modes of communication which has recently excited academic inquiry in non‐Western cultures. It is the means through which children express their fears, desires, anxieties and conception of phenomena. This study investigated drawings by four‐ to ten‐year‐old Botswana children in response to the human figure as an aesthetic object. The methodology involved observing a sample of forty purposively selected children engaged in the drawing process and analysing their visual productions in addition to conversational talk about their art. The study found that the human figure was the dominant aesthetic subject across ages represented in both conventionalised form and personalised imagery. Older children showed interest in culture specific imagery and demonstrated mastery of occlusion and depth cues, while four‐year‐old children had limited spatial awareness. The study also found that children demonstrated gradual improvement of drawing skills with age. There was no significant difference in drawing competence between sexes. Pedagogical implications are suggested to scaffold children through the stages of art development.
Meridianin C inhibits the growth of YD‐10B human tongue cancer cells through macropinocytosis and the down‐regulation of Dickkopf‐related protein‐3
Authors: Park Nam‐Sook , Park Yu‐Kyoung , Ramalingam Mahesh , Yadav Anil Kumar , Cho Hyo‐Rim , Hong Victor Sukbong , More Kunal N. , Bae Jae‐Hoon , Bishop‐Bailey David , Kano Junko , Noguchi Masayuki , Jang Ik‐Soon , Lee Kyung‐Bok , Lee Jinho , Choi Jong‐Soon , Jang Byeong‐Churl 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMeridianin C is a marine natural product known for its anti‐cancer activity. At present, the anti‐tumour effects of meridianin C on oral squamous cell carcinoma are unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of meridianin C on the proliferation of four different human tongue cancer cells, YD‐8, YD‐10B, YD‐38 and HSC‐3. Among the cells tested, meridianin C most strongly reduced the growth of YD‐10B cells; the most aggressive and tumorigenic of the cell lines tested. Strikingly, meridianin C induced a significant accumulation of macropinosomes in the YD‐10B cells; confirmed by the microscopic and TEM analysis as well as the entry of FITC‐dextran, which was sensitive to the macropinocytosis inhibitor amiloride. SEM data also revealed abundant long and thin membrane extensions that resemble lamellipodia on the surface of YD‐10B cells treated with meridianin C, pointing out that meridianin C‐induced macropinosomes was the result of macropinocytosis. In addition, meridianin C reduced cellular levels of Dickkopf‐related protein‐3 (DKK‐3), a known negative regulator of macropinocytosis. A role for DKK‐3 in regulating macropinocytosis in the YD‐10B cells was confirmed by siRNA knockdown of endogenous DKK‐3, which led to a partial accumulation of vacuoles and a reduction in cell proliferation, and by exogenous DKK‐3 overexpression, which resulted in a considerable inhibition of the meridianin C‐induced vacuole formation and decrease in cell survival. In summary, this is the first study reporting meridianin C has novel anti‐proliferative effects via macropinocytosis in the highly tumorigenic YD‐10B cell line and the effects are mediated in part through down‐regulation of DKK‐3.
A four‐gene‐based prognostic model predicts overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Long Junyu , Zhang Lei , Wan Xueshuai , Lin Jianzhen , Bai Yi , Xu Weiyu , Xiong Jianping , Zhao Haitao 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWith the development of new advances in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management and noninvasive radiological techniques, high‐risk patient groups such as those with hepatitis virus are closely monitored. HCC is increasingly diagnosed early, and treatment may be successful. In spite of this progress, most patients who undergo a hepatectomy will eventually relapse, and the outcomes of HCC patients remain unsatisfactory. In our study, we aimed to identify potential gene biomarkers based on RNA sequencing data to predict and improve HCC patient survival. The gene expression data and clinical information were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. A total of 339 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained between the HCC (n = 374) and normal tissues (n = 50). Four genes (CENPA, SPP1, MAGEB6 and HOXD9) were screened by univariate, Lasso and multivariate Cox regression analyses to develop the prognostic model. Further analysis revealed the independent prognostic capacity of the prognostic model in relation to other clinical characteristics. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed the good performance of the prognostic model. Then, the prognostic model and the expression levels of the four genes were validated using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. A nomogram comprising the prognostic model to predict the overall survival was established, and internal validation in the TCGA cohort was performed. The predictive model and the nomogram will enable patients with HCC to be more accurately managed in trials testing new drugs and in clinical practice.
Practitioner experiences from the structured implementation of evidence‐based practice in primary care physiotherapy: A qualitative study
Authors: Carlfjord Siw , Nilsing‐Strid Emma , Johansson Kajsa , Holmgren Theresa , Öberg Birgitta 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRationale, Aims, and ObjectivesTo provide best available care, the practitioners in primary health care (PHC) must have adequate knowledge about effective interventions. The implementation of such interventions is challenging. A structured implementation strategy developed by researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, was used for the implementation of an evidence‐based assessment and treatment programme for patients with subacromial pain among physiotherapists in PHC. To further develop strategies for implementation of evidence‐based practices, it was deemed important to study the implementation from the practitioners' perspective. The aim of this study was to explore the practitioners' experiences from the implementation.MethodsA qualitative design with focus group discussions was applied. The implementation in terms of perceptions of process and outcome was evaluated by focus group discussions with, in total, 16 physiotherapists in the target group. Data were analysed using the method qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe components of the strategy were viewed positively, and the applicability and evidence base behind the programme were appreciated. The programme was perceived to be adopted, and the practitioners described a changed behaviour and increased confidence in handling patients with subacromial pain. Both patient‐ and provider‐related challenges to the implementation were mentioned.ConclusionsThe practitioners' experiences from the implementation were mainly positive. A strategy with collaboration between academy and practice, and with education and implementation teams as facilitators, resulted in changes in practice. Critical voices concerned interprofessional collaboration and that the programme was focused explicitly on the shoulder, not including other components of physical function.