bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) as a resource for farmland insect pollinators: quantifying floral traits in conventional varieties and breeding systems
Authors: Carruthers Jonathan M. , Cook Samantha M. , Wright Geraldine A. , Osborne Juliet L. , Clark Suzanne J. , Swain Jennifer L. , Haughton Alison J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOilseed rape (OSR; Brassica napus L.) is a major crop in temperate regions and provides an important source of nutrition to many of the yield‐enhancing insect flower visitors that consume floral nectar. The manipulation of mechanisms that control various crop plant traits for the benefit of pollinators has been suggested in the bid to increase food security, but little is known about inherent floral trait expression in contemporary OSR varieties or the breeding systems used in OSR breeding programmes. We studied a range of floral traits in glasshouse‐grown, certified conventional varieties of winter OSR to test for variation among and within breeding systems. We measured 24‐h nectar secretion rate, amount, concentration and ratio of nectar sugars per flower, and sizes and number of flowers produced per plant from 24 varieties of OSR representing open‐pollinated (OP), genic male sterility (GMS) hybrid and cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) hybrid breeding systems. Sugar concentration was consistent among and within the breeding systems; however, GMS hybrids produced more nectar and more sugar per flower than CMS hybrid or OP varieties. With the exception of ratio of fructose/glucose in OP varieties, we found that nectar traits were consistent within all the breeding systems. When scaled, GMS hybrids produced 1.73 times more nectar resource per plant than OP varieties. Nectar production and amount of nectar sugar in OSR plants were independent of number and size of flowers. Our data show that floral traits of glasshouse‐grown OSR differed among breeding systems, suggesting that manipulation and enhancement of nectar rewards for insect flower visitors, including pollinators, could be included in future OSR breeding programmes.
Multitrait index based on factor analysis and ideotype‐design: proposal and application on elephant grass breeding for bioenergy
Authors: Rocha João Romero do Amaral Santos de Carvalho , Machado Juarez Campolina , Carneiro Pedro Crescêncio Souza 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study proposes a new multitrait index based on factor analysis and ideotype‐design (FAI‐BLUP index), and validates its potential on the selection of elephant grass genotypes for energy cogeneration. Factor analysis was carried out, and afterwards, factorial scores of each ideotype were designed according to the desirable and undesirable factors, and the spatial probability was estimated based on genotype‐ideotype distance, enabling genotype ranking. In order to quantify the potential of the FAI‐BLUP index, genetic gains were predicted and compared with the Smith‐Hazel classical index. The FAI‐BLUP index allows ranking the genotypes based on multitrait, free from multicollinearity, and it does not require assigning weights, as in the case of the Smith‐Hazel classical index and its derived indices. Furthermore, the genetic correlation ‐ positive or negative ‐ within each factor was taken into account, preserving their traits relationship, and giving biological meaning to the ideotypes. The FAI‐BLUP index indicated the 15 elephant grass with the highest performance for conversion to bioenergy via combustion, and predicted balanced and desirable genetic gains for all traits. In addition, the FAI‐BLUP index predicted gains of approximately 62% of direct selection, simultaneously for all traits that are desired to be increased, and approximately 33% for traits which are desired to be decreased. The genotypes selected by the FAI‐BLUP index have potential to improve all traits simultaneously, while the Smith‐Hazel classical index predicted gains of 66% for traits that are desired to be increased, and −32% for traits that are desired to be decreased, and it does not have potential to improve all traits simultaneously. The FAI‐BLUP index provides an undoubtable selection process and can be used in any breeding programme aiming at selection based on multitrait.
Training with a balance exercise assist robot is more effective than conventional training for frail older adults
Authors: Ozaki Kenichi , Kondo Izumi , Hirano Satoshi , Kagaya Hitoshi , Saitoh Eiichi , Osawa Aiko , Fujinori Yoichi 
Published: March 2017

AimTo examine the efficacy of postural strategy training using a balance exercise assist robot (BEAR) as compared with conventional balance training for frail older adults.MethodsThe present study was designed as a cross‐over trial without a washout term. A total of 27 community‐dwelling frail or prefrail elderly residents (7 men, 20 women; age range 65–85 years) were selected from a volunteer sample. Two exercises were prepared for interventions: robotic exercise moving the center of gravity by the balance exercise assist robot system; and conventional balance training combining muscle‐strengthening exercise, postural strategy training and applied motion exercise. Each exercise was carried out twice a week for 6 weeks. Participants were allocated randomly to either the robotic exercise first group or the conventional balance exercise first group. Main outcome measures: preferred and maximal gait speeds, tandem gait speeds, timed up‐and‐go test, functional reach test, functional base of support, center of pressure, and muscle strength of the lower extremities were assessed before and after completion of each exercise program.ResultsRobotic exercise achieved significant improvements for tandem gait speed (P = 0.012), functional reach test (P = 0.002), timed up‐and‐go test (P = 0.023) and muscle strength of the lower extremities (P = 0.001–0.030) compared with conventional exercise.ConclusionsIn frail or prefrail older adults, robotic exercise was more effective for improving dynamic balance and lower extremity muscle strength than conventional exercise. These findings suggest that postural strategy training with the balance exercise assist robot is effective to improve the gait instability and muscle weakness often seen in frail older adults. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1982–1990.
Understanding advance care planning within the South Asian community
Authors: Biondo Patricia D. , Kalia Rashika , Khan Rooh‐Afza , Asghar Nadia , Banerjee Cyrene , Boulton Debbie , Marlett Nancy , Shklarov Svetlana , Simon Jessica E. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundAdvance care planning (ACP) is a process of reflection on and communication of a person's future health‐care preferences. Evidence suggests visible minorities engage less in ACP. The South Asian ethnic group is the largest visible minority group in Canada, and information is needed to understand how ACP is perceived and how best to approach ACP within this diverse community.ObjectiveTo explore perspectives of South Asian community members towards ACP.DesignPeer‐to‐peer inquiry. South Asian community members who graduated from the Patient and Community Engagement Research programme (PaCER) at the University of Calgary utilized the PaCER method (SET, COLLECT and REFLECT) to conduct a focus group, family interviews and a community forum.Setting and participantsFifty‐seven community‐dwelling men and women (22‐86 years) who self‐identified with the South Asian community in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.ResultsThe concept of ACP was mostly foreign to this community and was often associated with other end‐of‐life issues such as organ donation and estate planning. Cultural aspects (e.g. trust in shared family decision making and taboos related to discussing death), religious beliefs (e.g. fatalism) and immigration challenges (e.g. essential priorities) emerged as barriers to participation in ACP. However, participants were eager to learn about ACP and recommended several engagement strategies (e.g. disseminate information through religious institutions and community centres, include families in ACP discussions, encourage family physicians to initiate discussions and translate materials).ConclusionsUse of a patient engagement research model proved highly successful in understanding South Asian community members' participation in ACP.
Effectiveness of a decision aid for patients with depression: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Perestelo‐Perez Lilisbeth , Rivero‐Santana Amado , Sanchez‐Afonso Juan Antonio , Perez‐Ramos Jeanette , Castellano‐Fuentes Carmen Luisa , Sepucha Karen , Serrano‐Aguilar Pedro 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundShared decision making is an important component of patient‐centred care and decision aids are tools designed to support patients' decision making and help patients with depression to make informed choices.ObjectiveThe study aim was to assess the effectiveness of a web‐based decision aid for patients with unipolar depression.DesignRandomized controlled trial.Setting and participantsAdults diagnosed with a major depressive disorder and recruited in primary care centres were included and randomized to the decision aid (n=68) or usual care (n=79).InterventionPatients in the decision aid group reviewed the decision aid accompanied by a researcher.Outcome measuresKnowledge about treatment options, decisional conflict, treatment intention and preference for participation in decision making. We also developed a pilot measure of concordance between patients' goals and concerns about treatment options and their treatment intention.ResultsIntervention significantly improved knowledge (P<.001) and decisional conflict (P<.001), and no differences were observed in treatment intention, preferences for participation, or concordance. One of the scales developed to measure goals and concerns showed validity issues.ConclusionThe decision aid “Decision making in depression” is effective improving knowledge of treatment options and reducing decisional conflict of patients with unipolar depression. More research is needed to establish a valid and reliable measure of concordance between patients' goals and concerns regarding pharmacological and psychological treatment, and the choice made.
The everyday politics of being a student in South Africa: A history
Authors: Healy‐Clancy Meghan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOver the past year, student protests under the banners #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall have swept South Africa, demanding the “decolonization” of curricula and greater educational access. This article contextualizes these protests, drawing on a vibrant historiography on student politics under apartheid (1948–1994). In scholarship produced during the antiapartheid movement, it often seemed that the history of student protests was the history of education. The study of resistance has remained integral to the field. Yet, over the past decade, how historians look at student politics has been changing. First, we look at the spaces of politics differently. We move beyond familiar narratives of student resistance because we look beyond the campuses that played emblematic roles in the making of African nationalism and antiapartheid struggle. New vantage points enable us to see different political actors. These youth asked diverse questions about their lives and about the purpose and form of schooling in an unequal society, and they expressed these questions through strategies that included but were not limited to school strikes. Their questions arose out of daily struggles around issues of race, gender, sexuality, and class—struggles that resonate with the concerns of student activists today.
Effectiveness of platinum‐based adjuvant chemotherapy for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer: A weighted propensity score analysis
Authors: Shimizu Fumitaka , Muto Satoru , Taguri Masataka , Ieda Takeshi , Tsujimura Akira , Sakamoto Yoshiro , Fujita Kazuhiko , Okegawa Takatsugu , Yamaguchi Raizo , Horie Shigeo 
Published: March 2017

ObjectivesTo evaluate the clinical benefit of adjuvant platinum‐based chemotherapy after radical cystectomy for muscle‐invasive bladder cancer in routine clinical practice.MethodsThe present observational study was carried out to compare the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy versus observation post‐radical cystectomy in patients with clinically muscle‐invasive bladder cancer. Cancer‐specific survival and overall survival between the adjuvant chemotherapy group and radical cystectomy alone group were compared using Kaplan–Meier method and log–rank test. After adjusting for background factors using propensity score weighting, differences in cancer‐specific survival and overall survival between these two groups were compared. Subgroup analyses by the pathological characteristics were carried out.ResultsIn total, 322 patients were included in the present study. Of these, 23% received adjuvant chemotherapy post‐radical cystectomy. Clinicopathological characteristics showed that patients in the adjuvant chemotherapy group were pathologically more advanced and were at higher risk than the radical cystectomy alone group. In the unadjusted population, although it is not significant, the adjuvant chemotherapy group had lower overall survival (3‐year overall survival; 61.5% vs 73.6%, HR 1.33, P = 0.243, log–rank test, adjuvant chemotherapy vs radical cystectomy alone). In the weighted propensity score analysis, although it is not significant, the adjuvant chemotherapy group were superior to radical cystectomy alone groups (overall survival: HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.39–1.09, P = 0.099, log–rank test, adjuvant chemotherapy vs radical cystectomy alone). Subgroup analyses showed that adjuvant chemotherapy significantly reduced the hazard ratio of overall survival and cancer‐specific survival in the ≥pT3, pN+, ly+ and v+ subgroups.ConclusionsPlatinum‐based adjuvant chemotherapy might be associated with increased cancer‐specific survival and overall survival in patients with high‐risk invasive bladder cancer.
Environmental correlates of biome‐level floristic turnover in South Africa
Authors: Power Simon C. , Anthony Verboom G. , Bond William J. , Cramer Michael D. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAimBiomes are defined according to the growth forms of their dominant species but also contrast in floristic composition. Biome boundaries thus represent areas of taxonomic turnover. The degree of turnover is dependent on the difference in environmental conditions between biomes and the ability of lineages to evolve adaptive traits. Open‐ and closed‐canopy biomes differ in structure, disturbance and resource availability. We aimed to determine whether these boundaries impose greater adaptive challenges to the movement of floristic lineages than do structurally similar ones.LocationSouth Africa.MethodsWe determined genus‐ and family‐level dissimilarity between neighbouring biomes, and tested their correlations with differences in climate and soil properties, fire frequency and leaf area index (LAI: a measure of canopy cover used as a proxy for understorey light availability).ResultsGenus‐ and family‐level dissimilarities between biomes were positively correlated with differences in LAI. High taxonomic turnover was also associated with differences in fire frequency and soil organic carbon. LAI was strongly predicted by differences in precipitation in the driest quarter. Although environmental correlates with floristic turnover varied, the taxonomically dissimilar Fynbos boundaries were linked to differences in cation exchange capacity.Main conclusionsBiome boundaries with edaphic contrasts or emergent differences in vegetation structure caused by plant–water–fire interactions present possibly the hardest boundaries for floristic transitions. The infrequency of transitions across these boundaries is probably a consequence of environments contrasting in light and moisture availability, fire frequency and soil properties, requiring co‐adaptation across multiple traits. Variation in floristic turnover between boundaries, however, implies that adaptive challenges and the ease with which they overcome vary with biome.
The pathogenicity of T cell epitopes on human Goodpasture antigen and its critical amino acid motif
Authors: Hu Shui‐yi , Gu Qiu‐hua , Wang Jia , Wang Miao , Jia Xiao‐yu , Cui Zhao , Zhao Ming‐hui 
Published: March 2017

AbstractGoodpasture antigen, the non‐collagenous domain of α3 chain of type IV collagen [α3(IV)NC1], is the target antigen of anti‐glomerular basement membrane (GBM) antibodies. The pathogenicity of T cell epitopes is not elucidated clearly. In this study, we aim to define the nephritogenic T cell epitopes and its critical amino acid residues. Twenty‐four overlapping linear peptides were synthesized covering the whole sequence of human α3(IV)NC1. Wistar–Kyoto rats were immunized with linear peptides, and experimental autoimmune glomerulonephritis was evaluated. Critical amino acid was identified by the loss of nephritogenic function after each amino acid substitution by alanine. Of the 24 peptides, P14 (α3127‐148) could induce 90.5% (19/21) of WKY rats developing anti‐GBM glomerulonephritis with proteinuria, elevated serum urea and creatinine, IgG linear deposit on GBM and substantial (in average 82.4 ± 5.6%) crescent formation in glomeruli. Lymphocytes of immunized rats proliferated in response to α3127‐148 and α3(IV)NC1 in vitro. Sera of these rats recognized α3127‐148 and later on together with intact human α3(IV)NC1. Antibodies towards α3127‐148 and intact α3(IV)NC1 could also be detected from the kidney elutes. These antibodies showed no cross‐reaction with each other, which implies intramolecular epitope spreading during disease progress. After sequential amino acid substitution, the α3127‐148 with substitution of tryptophan136, isoleucine137, leucine139 or tryptophan140 lost its nephritogenicity. Human α3127‐148 is a nephritogenic T cell epitope in WKY rats, with the critical amino acids as W136I137xL139W140. These findings might facilitate future investigation on microbial aetiology and potential specific immunotherapy of anti‐GBM disease.
Young adult outcomes in the follow‐up of the multimodal treatment study of attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder: symptom persistence, source discrepancy, and height suppression
Authors: Swanson James M. , Arnold L. Eugene , Molina Brooke S.G. , Sibley Margaret H. , Hechtman Lily T. , Hinshaw Stephen P. , Abikoff Howard B. , Stehli Annamarie , Owens Elizabeth B. , Mitchell John T. , Nichols Quyen , Howard Andrea , Greenhill Laurence L. , Hoza Betsy , Newcorn Jeffrey H. , Jensen Peter S. , Vitiello Benedetto , Wigal Timothy , Epstein Jeffery N. , Tamm Leanne , Lakes Kimberly D. , Waxmonsky James , Lerner Marc , Etcovitch Joy , Murray Desiree W. , Muenke Maximilian , Acosta Maria T. , Arcos‐Burgos Mauricio , Pelham William E. , Kraemer Helena C. ,   the MTA Cooperative Group
Published: March 2017

BackgroundThe Multimodal Treatment Study (MTA) began as a 14‐month randomized clinical trial of behavioral and pharmacological treatments of 579 children (7–10 years of age) diagnosed with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)‐combined type. It transitioned into an observational long‐term follow‐up of 515 cases consented for continuation and 289 classmates (258 without ADHD) added as a local normative comparison group (LNCG), with assessments 2–16 years after baseline.MethodsPrimary (symptom severity) and secondary (adult height) outcomes in adulthood were specified. Treatment was monitored to age 18, and naturalistic subgroups were formed based on three patterns of long‐term use of stimulant medication (Consistent, Inconsistent, and Negligible). For the follow‐up, hypothesis‐generating analyses were performed on outcomes in early adulthood (at 25 years of age). Planned comparisons were used to estimate ADHD‐LNCG differences reflecting persistence of symptoms and naturalistic subgroup differences reflecting benefit (symptom reduction) and cost (height suppression) associated with extended use of medication.ResultsFor ratings of symptom severity, the ADHD‐LNCG comparison was statistically significant for the parent/self‐report average (0.51 ± 0.04, p < .0001, d = 1.11), documenting symptom persistence, and for the parent/self‐report difference (0.21 ± 0.04, p < .0001, d = .60), documenting source discrepancy, but the comparisons of naturalistic subgroups reflecting medication effects were not significant. For adult height, the ADHD group was 1.29 ± 0.55 cm shorter than the LNCG (p < .01, d = .21), and the comparisons of the naturalistic subgroups were significant: the treated group with the Consistent or Inconsistent pattern was 2.55 ± 0.73 cm shorter than the subgroup with the Negligible pattern (p < .0005, d = .42), and within the treated group, the subgroup with the Consistent pattern was 2.36 ± 1.13 cm shorter than the subgroup with the Inconsistent pattern (p < .04, d = .38).ConclusionsIn the MTA follow‐up into adulthood, the ADHD group showed symptom persistence compared to local norms from the LNCG. Within naturalistic subgroups of ADHD cases, extended use of medication was associated with suppression of adult height but not with reduction of symptom severity.
Satisfaction of switching to combination therapy with lixisenatide and basal insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving multiple daily insulin injection therapy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Miya Aika , Nakamura Akinobu , Miyoshi Hideaki , Cho Kyu Yong , Nagai So , Kurihara Yoshio , Aoki Shin , Taguri Masataka , Terauchi Yasuo , Atsumi Tatsuya 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAims/IntroductionWe compared the satisfaction levels of patients with type 2 diabetes undergoing combination therapy with lixisenatide (LIX) and basal insulin with that of patients undergoing multiple daily insulin injection (MDI) therapy.Materials and MethodsThe study was a 12‐week open‐label, randomized, multicenter, controlled trial. Participants were Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes receiving MDI for >3 months. Patients were randomly assigned to each treatment cohort: (i) a group that continued MDI (MDI group); and (ii) a group that switched from MDI to combination therapy with LIX and basal insulin (LIX group). The primary outcome was change in Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire scores from baseline to 12 weeks between these two groups. Key secondary outcomes were glycated hemoglobin and body weight changes.ResultsA total of 31 patients were initially enrolled in the study, and 26 of them completed the study. The change in Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire scores in the LIX group was significantly greater compared with that in the MDI group. Mean changes in glycated hemoglobin levels were −0.05 ± 0.37% in the MDI group and 0.04 ± 0.38% in the LIX group (P = 0.36). Mean changes in body weight were +0.6 ± 1.8 kg in the MDI group and −2.5 ± 1.8 kg in the LIX group (P < 0.01).ConclusionsSwitching from MDI to combination therapy with LIX and basal insulin improved satisfaction levels while maintaining glycemic control in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.