bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Viability and expression of sexual ornaments in the barn swallowHirundo rustica: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Romano A. , Saino N. , Møller A. P. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSexual selection results in the evolution of exaggerated secondary sexual characters that can entail a viability cost. However, in species where sexual ornaments honestly reflect individual quality, the viability cost of secondary sexual characters may be overwhelmed by variation in individual quality, leading to expect that individuals with the largest secondary sexual characters show higher, rather than lower viability. Here, we used meta‐analyses to test whether such expected positive relationship between sexual ornamentation and viability exists in the barn swallowHirundo rustica, which is one of the most studied model species of sexual selection under field conditions. We found a mean positive effect size of viability in relation to the expression of secondary sexual characters of 0.181 (CI: 0.084–0.278), indicating that in this species the more ornamented individuals are more viable, and therefore of high quality. Analyses of moderator variables showed similar effects in males and females, theH. r. rusticasubspecies rather than others and tail length rather than other secondary sexual characters. Future research emphasis on other subspecies than the European one and secondary sexual characters than tail length may help identify the sources of heterogeneity in effect sizes.
The malleable brain – An educational review from students to students
Authors: Schulz Jörg B. , Hausmann Laura 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe Review “The malleable brain: plasticity of neural circuits and behavior – A review from students to students” has been written by a group of students following the International Society for Neurochemistry and Journal of Neurochemistry Flagship School. Comprehensively written by students for students, it provides both an excellent educational opportunity and a state‐of‐the‐art insight into the field of neuronal plasticity specifically targeted to young researchers, and thus fulfills an important aspect of the ISN's educational mission.Read the highlighted article ‘The malleable brain: plasticity of neural circuits and behavior – a review from students to students’ on page 790.
Histomorphometric and osteocytic characteristics of cortical bone in male subtrochanteric femoral shaft
Authors: Tong Xiaoyu , Malo Markus K. H. , Burton Inari S. , Jurvelin Jukka S. , Isaksson Hanna , Kröger Heikki 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe histomorphometric properties of the subtrochanteric femoral region have rarely been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the age‐associated variations and regional differences of histomorphometric and osteocytic properties in the cortical bone of the subtrochanteric femoral shaft, and the association between osteocytic and histological cortical bone parameters. Undecalcified histological sections of the subtrochanteric femoral shaft were obtained from cadavers (n = 20, aged 18–82 years, males). They were cut and stained using modified Masson‐Goldner stain. Histomorphometric parameters of cortical bone were analysed with ×50 and ×100 magnification after identifying cortical bone boundaries using our previously validated method. Within cortical bone areas, only complete osteons with typical concentric lamellae and cement line were selected and measured. Osteocytic parameters of cortical bone were analyzed under phase contrast microscopy and epifluorescence within microscopic fields (0.55 mm2 for each). The cortical widths of the medial and lateral quadrants were significantly higher than other quadrants (P < 0.01). Osteonal area per cortical bone area was lower and cortical porosities were higher in the posterior quadrant than in the other quadrants (P < 0.05). Osteocyte lacunar number per cortical bone area was found higher in the young subjects (≤ 50 years) than in the older ones (> 50 years) both before and after adjustments for body height and weight (P < 0.05). Moreover, significant but low correlations were found between the cortical bone and osteocytic parameters (0.20 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.35, P < 0.05). It can be concluded that in healthy males, the cortical histomorphometric parameters differ between the anatomical regions of the subtrochanteric femoral shaft, and are correlated with the osteocytic parameters from the same site. These findings may be of use when discussing mechanisms that predispose patients to decreasing bone strength.
Structural and functional anatomy of the palmaris brevis: grasping for answers
Authors: Moore Colin W. , Rice Charles L. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe palmaris brevis (PB) is a small cutaneous hand muscle that has been described as the most mysterious muscle from a functional and developmental perspective [Kaplan () Kaplan's Functional and Surgical Anatomy of the Hand]. Functionally, the PB is considered to deepen the hollow of the palm and to protect the neurovasculature of the ulnar canal. Although the function of the PB has been inferred from cadaveric observations, the electromyographic (EMG) activity of this muscle has not been explored systematically during specific movements of the hand. The purpose of this study was to record PB intramuscular EMG activity during dynamic grasping tasks, and to quantify the change in PB muscle length (ML) and thickness (MT) incurred during maximal contraction using ultrasound imaging. Intramuscular EMG was recorded from the PB in the dominant hands of 12 healthy participants (11 males, one female; age: 27 ± 4 years) during maximal abduction, flexion and opposition of the 5th digit, and two grasping tasks. Abduction of the 5th digit yielded the greatest EMG activity in most individuals (seven out of 11), and produced significantly less PB EMG activity when compared with grasping a cylindrical‐shaped object (P = 0.003) but not a spherical‐shaped object (P = 0.130). During maximal abduction of the 5th digit, PB ML decreased in both the left (28 ± 11%; P = 0.002) and right (32 ± 5%; P = 0.002) hands. Similarly, a concomitant increase in PB MT was observed in the left (68 ± 30%; P = 0.002) and right (85 ± 44%; P = 0.002) hands during the same contraction. These EMG results indicate that the PB is voluntarily activated during prehensile and non‐prehensile movements of the hand with significant changes in muscle architecture. The study supports the preservation of the PB in surgical procedures based on its proposed protective role as a muscular barrier to the neurovasculature within the ulnar canal.
Effect analysis of intradermal hyaluronic acid injection to treat enlarged facial pores
Authors: Qian Wei , Zhang Yan‐Kun , Hou Ying , Lyu Wei , Cao Qian , Li Yan‐Qi , Fan Ju‐Feng 
Published: August 2017

SummaryObjectiveTo investigate the clinical application and efficacy of intradermal injection of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMW‐HA) for treating enlarged facial pores.MethodsFrom January 2015 to May 2016, 42 subjects who sought aesthetic treatment underwent intradermal injection of LMW‐HA to improve enlarged facial pores. For each treatment, 2.5 mL (25 mg) of LMW‐HA was injected into the skin of the full face. The treatment was repeated 2‐5 times with an interval of 1 to 1.5 months between consecutive treatments. The postoperative follow‐up period was 1 to 6 months. Statistical analysis was used to compare the degree of enlargement of facial pores before and after injection. The clinical efficacy and adverse effects were recorded.ResultsThe enlarged facial pores before and after treatment were categorized and subjected to the Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed‐rank test. The difference was statistically significant (P<.01). The improvement rate was 40.03±18.41%. No infection, nodules, or pigmentation was reported at the injection sites in the subjects who sought aesthetic treatment. The overall satisfaction rate was 92.8%.ConclusionIntradermal injection of LMW‐HA can significantly improve skin texture, reduce pore size, and enhance skin radiance. The injection technique was simple, safe, and effective and could easily be extended to clinical practice.
Profile of children with developmental disabilities attending a complex pain clinic of a children's hospital in Australia
Authors: Garg Pankaj , Haynes Natasha , De Lima Jonathan , Collins John J 
Published: August 2017

AimTo document the profile and management of children with developmental disabilities (DD) attending an outpatient complex pain clinic at a Children's Hospital in Sydney, Australia.MethodsChildren with DD from 2011 to 2014 were identified from a clinic database, and pain relevant data was collected.ResultsA total of 107 (19.6%) of 544 children were identified with DD, and accounted for one‐third of clinic attendances. The median age was 14 years (interquartile range: 11–16) and females were slightly over‐represented (62, 57.9%). About one‐third of children had cerebral palsy (CP) from a variety of prenatal, natal and post‐neonatal causes. The lower limb was the most common site for pain in children with CP, while back pain was more frequent in children with other disabilities. Comorbid emotional disorders were significantly associated with the non‐CP disabilities. Children who required more than four clinic attendances were more likely to have comorbid anxiety/depression and to be reviewed by multiple specialists.ConclusionsLong‐term persistent pain in children with DD forms a significant cohort of children requiring tertiary level paediatric pain services. Multisystem comorbidities and emotional disorders predict greater service utilisation. Further research into the effectiveness of multidisciplinary pain teams and interventions in this cohort of children is required.
A different perspective on sofosbuvir‐ledipasvir treatment of patients with HCV genotype 1b cirrhosis: The ital‐c network study
Authors: Barone M. , Iannone A. , Shahini E. , Ippolito A. M. , Brancaccio G. , Morisco F. , Milella M. , Messina V. , Smedile A. , Conti F. , Gatti P. , Santantonio T. , Tundo P. , Lauletta G. , Napoli N. , Masetti C. , Termite A. P. , Francavilla R. , Di Leo A. , Pesce F. , Andriulli A. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryThe effectiveness of a 12‐week course of sofosbuvir‐ledipasvir in treatment‐experienced HCV genotype 1b‐infected patients with cirrhosis is still under debate. Our primary endpoint was to compare the sustained virological response at post‐treatment week 12 (SVR12) of sofosbuvir‐ledipasvir in combination with ribavirin for 12 weeks, and sofosbuvir‐ledipasvir alone for 24 weeks. This was a prospective observational study that enrolled 424 (195 naive, 229 experienced; 164 treated for 12 weeks with Ribavirin and 260 with sofosbuvir‐ledipasvir alone for 24 weeks) consecutive HCV genotype 1b‐infected patients with cirrhosis. The SVR12 rates were 93.9% and 99.2% in patients treated for 12 and 24 weeks, respectively (P = .002). The baseline characteristics of patients treated for 12 weeks were significantly different from those treated for 24 weeks as regards their younger age (P = .002), prevalence of Child‐Pugh class A (P = .002), lower MELD scores (P = .001) and smaller number of nonresponders (P = .04). The shorter treatment was significantly associated with a lower SVR12 in univariate and multivariate analyses (P = .007 and P = .008, respectively). The SVR rate was unaffected by age, gender, BMI, Child‐Pugh class, MELD score or previous antiviral treatment. Patients receiving ribavirin experienced more episodes of ascites and headache but less recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and were prescribed more diuretics and cardiopulmonary drugs. No patient discontinued treatment. The therapeutic regimen of sofosbuvir‐ledipasvir plus ribavirin administered for 12 weeks was less effective than sofosbuvir‐ledipasvir alone given for 24 weeks. At odds with European guidelines, the recommended 12‐week treatment with sofosbuvir‐ledipasvir alone might be suboptimal for this setting of patients.
Long‐term balancing selection on chromosomal variants associated with crypsis in a stick insect
Authors: Lindtke Dorothea , Lucek Kay , Soria‐Carrasco Víctor , Villoutreix Romain , Farkas Timothy E. , Riesch Rüdiger , Dennis Stuart R. , Gompert Zach , Nosil Patrik 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHow polymorphisms are maintained within populations over long periods of time remains debated, because genetic drift and various forms of selection are expected to reduce variation. Here, we study the genetic architecture and maintenance of phenotypic morphs that confer crypsis in Timema cristinae stick insects, combining phenotypic information and genotyping‐by‐sequencing data from 1,360 samples across 21 populations. We find two highly divergent chromosomal variants that span megabases of sequence and are associated with colour polymorphism. We show that these variants exhibit strongly reduced effective recombination, are geographically widespread and probably diverged millions of generations ago. We detect heterokaryotype excess and signs of balancing selection acting on these variants through the species’ history. A third chromosomal variant in the same genomic region likely evolved more recently from one of the two colour variants and is associated with dorsal pattern polymorphism. Our results suggest that large‐scale genetic variation associated with crypsis has been maintained for long periods of time by potentially complex processes of balancing selection.
ALBA4 modulates its stage‐specific interactions and specific mRNA fates during Plasmodium yoelii growth and transmission
Authors: Muñoz Elyse E. , Hart Kevin J. , Walker Michael P. , Kennedy Mark F. , Shipley Mackenzie M. , Lindner Scott E. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryTransmission of the malaria parasite occurs in an unpredictable moment, when a mosquito takes a blood meal. Plasmodium has therefore evolved strategies to prepare for transmission, including translationally repressing and protecting mRNAs needed to establish the infection. However, mechanisms underlying these critical controls are not well understood, including whether Plasmodium changes its translationally repressive complexes and mRNA targets in different stages. Efforts to understand this have been stymied by severe technical limitations due to substantial mosquito contamination of samples. Here using P. yoelii, for the first time we provide a proteomic comparison of a protein complex across asexual blood, sexual and sporozoite stages, along with a transcriptomic comparison of the mRNAs that are affected in these stages. We find that the Apicomplexan‐specific ALBA4 RNA‐binding protein acts to regulate development of the parasite's transmission stages, and that ALBA4 associates with both stage‐specific and stage‐independent partners to produce opposing mRNA fates. These efforts expand our understanding and ability to interrogate both sexual and sporozoite transmission stages and the molecular preparations they evolved to perpetuate their infectious cycle.
Prognostic value of pathologic grade for patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Xu QS , Wang C , Li B , Li JZ , Mao MH , Qin LZ , Li H , Huang X , Han Z , Feng Z 
Published: August 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe purposes of this study were to explore both the prognostic value of pathologic grade and the relationships between differentiation and clinicopathological characteristics in oral squamous cell carcinoma.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included the records of 2036 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who were surgically treated from June 1999 to December 2011. Chi‐square test, Kaplan–Meier analysis, and Cox proportional hazards regression model were performed for statistical analysis.ResultsMany clinicopathological characteristics were associated with pathologic grade. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that well‐differentiated tumors had a better prognosis than the other two grades. Cox regression model showed that differentiation was an independent risk factor for prognosis in patients with early stage, but not with advanced stage. The predictive abilities of pathologic grade, T stage, N status, and lymph node ratio were similar, but the presence of extracapsular spread and perineural invasion were stronger prognostic factors than pathologic differentiation.ConclusionsPathologic grade was found to be an independent risk factor for early‐stage oral squamous cell carcinoma, but not for advanced stage. Many important clinicopathological characteristics were associated with histological classification; however, its prognostic value was limited.
Identification and molecular mapping of indica high‐tillering dwarf mutant htd4, a mild phenotype allelic mutant of D14 in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Wang Y.‐P. , Tang S.‐Q. , Chen H.‐Z. , Wu Z.‐F. , Zhang H. , Duan E.‐C. , Shi Q.‐H. , Wu Z.‐M. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Metabolism of strigolactones (SLs) can improve the efficiency of nutrient use by regulating the development of roots and shoots in crops, making them an important research focus for molecular breeding. However, as a very important plant hormone, the molecular mechanism of SL signal transduction still remains largely unknown.

In this study, we isolated an indica high‐tillering dwarf mutant 4 (htd4), a spontaneous mutant of rice, from the restorer line Gui99.

Mapping and sequencing analysis showed that htd4 was a novel allelic mutant of D14, in which a single base substitution forms a premature termination codon. Quantitative RT‐PCR analyses revealed that expression levels of the genes D10, D17, D27, D3 and D14 increased significantly, while expression of D53 decreased in htd4, compared with the wild type. A subcellular localisation assay showed that the mutant of D14 in htd4 did not disturb the normal localisation of D14 proteins. However, a BiFC assay suggested that the mutant‐type D14 could not interact with D3. Additionally, compared with other D14 allelic mutants, htd4 was the first mutant of D14 discovered in indica, and the differences in many yield traits such as plant height, seed‐setting rate and grain sizes between htd4 and the wild type were less than those between other D14 allelic mutants and the wild type.

Therefore, htd4 is considered a mild phenotype allelic mutant of D14. We conclude that the absence of functional D14 caused the high‐tillering dwarf phenotype of htd4. Our results may provide vital information for research on D14 function and the application of htd4 in molecular breeding.
Polycentric Systems of Governance: A Theoretical Model for the Commons
Authors: Carlisle Keith , Gruby Rebecca L. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPolycentricity is a fundamental concept in commons scholarship that connotes a complex form of governance with multiple centers of semiautonomous decision making. If the decision‐making centers take each other into account in competitive and cooperative relationships and have recourse to conflict resolution mechanisms, they may be regarded as a polycentric governance system. In the context of natural resource governance, commons scholars have ascribed a number of advantages to polycentric governance systems, most notably enhanced adaptive capacity, provision of good institutional fit for natural resource systems, and mitigation of risk on account of redundant governance actors and institutions. Despite the popularity of the concept, systematic development of polycentricity, including its posited advantages, is lacking in the commons literature. To build greater clarity and specificity around the concept, we develop a theoretical model of a polycentric governance system with a focus on the features necessary or conducive for achieving the functioning predicted by commons scholars. The model is comprised of attributes, which constitute the definitional elements, and enabling conditions, which specify additional institutional features for achieving functionality in the commons. The model we propose takes the concept a step further toward specificity without sacrificing the generality necessary for contextual application and further development.
A new generation of Primary Care Service Areas or general practice catchment areas
Authors: Mazumdar Soumya , Pinzari Ludovico , Bagheri Nasser , Konings Paul , Girosi Federico , McRae Ian 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPrimary Care is fundamental to a well‐functioning health system. Various geographical small areas including specialized geographies such as Primary Care Service Areas (PCSAs) are used to measure primary care relevant outcomes and services, or to target interventions. PCSAs are small areas, the majority of patients resident in which obtain their primary care services from within the geography. The extent of this self‐sufficiency of use is measured by the Localization Index (LI). PCSAs have been built in the US, Australia and Switzerland using an allocation algorithm, which, while simple and easy to implement, may require the use of various ad‐hoc parameters. In this article we propose an optimization based approach to creating PCSAs, ‐ an approach which has previously been used to generate labour flow regions in Ireland. The approach is data driven, thus requiring a minimal number of ad‐hoc parameters. We compared the resulting PCSAs (or `rPCSAs') with PCSAs generated using the traditional allocation algorithm. We found that rPCSAs were generally larger, offered greater LIs and reflected patient travel patterns better than traditional PCSAs. Accounting for the larger size of rPCSAs showed that rPCSAs offered better LIs than similar sized traditional PCSAs.
Motivational factors for blood donation in first‐time donors and repeat donors: a cross‐sectional study in West Pomerania
Authors: Suemnig A. , Konerding U. , Hron G. , Lubenow N. , Alpen U. , Hoffmann W. , Kohlmann T. , Greinacher A. 
Published: August 2017

SummaryObjectivesThis study aimed to analyse motivational factors for blood donation in different donor groups.BackgroundAs the demographic change will result in a decrease of the population in age groups of blood donors, the risk of blood product shortage increases.MethodsDuring a 12‐month period, every sixth blood donor presenting at the blood donation centre of the University Hospital was asked to complete a self‐administered questionnaire assessing motivational factors for blood donation. Despite the formalised enrolment protocol, frequent donors were over‐represented in the study cohort, which was adjusted by weighting donors with different numbers of donations per year in such a way that the distribution of numbers of donations per year was the same in the sample as in the donor population.ResultsOf 2443 participants, 14·3% were first‐time and 85·3% repeat donors. To “help other people” (>90%) and receiving “medical assessment of my blood values” (63–69%) were the strongest motivational factors in all donor groups. Receiving remuneration (49·2% vs 38·1%) was more important for repeat donors than for first‐time donors, whereas it was the opposite for “being taken by a friend to the donor clinic” (47·0% vs 15·5%). A potentially important observation is that 33·9% of frequent donors reported feeling physically better after blood donation compared to infrequent donors (29·5%).ConclusionIdentification of motivational factors can lead to the design of targeted motivation campaigns for blood donation. The underlying cause of the perceived well‐being after blood donation requires further studies.