bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fitness effects of symbiotic relationships between arthropod predators: Synergy in a three‐way spider symbiosis
Authors: Peng Po , Stuart‐Fox Devi , Su Yong‐Chao , Baba Yuki G. , Elgar Mark A. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Symbiotic relationships shape ecological communities and often involve more than two species. Yet few experimental studies examine the impact of symbioses involving three species, particularly any mediating role of third parties, and none involving symbioses of predators.

We investigated experimentally the synergistic and antagonistic fitness effects of three symbiotic spider predators across a broad latitudinal range and involving different species combinations.

The three‐dimensional web complex of Cyrtophora spiders is a habitat patch to different associates—species of Argyrodes and web‐building Leucauge spider guests. Our field experiments, which manipulated the presence of each guest species and determined the subsequent host weight change, revealed a remarkable consistency in fitness outcomes across the three populations, with the consequences of the interactions between two species depending upon the services provided by a third.

Cyrtophora hosts intercepted more prey when web‐building Leucauge guests were present and thus gained more weight. In contrast, Argyrodes guests exerted a fitness cost on their Cyrtophora host, but only when Leucauge guests were absent. A comparison of the prey consumed by Cyrtophora hosts and Argyrodes guests revealed that their diets (reflected in the size of prey) overlapped less in the presence of Leucauge web‐building guests.

Our novel experimental study highlights the importance of exploring synergistic effects in multi‐species symbioses.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Range‐wide intraspecific variation reflects past adaptation to climate in a gypsophile Mediterranean shrub
Authors: Blanco‐Sánchez Mario , Ramírez‐Valiente José Alberto , Ramos‐Muñoz Marina , Pías Beatriz , Franks Steven J. , Escudero Adrián , Matesanz Silvia 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Phenotypic differences among populations stem from the interaction between neutral and adaptive processes, and phenotypic plasticity. Although clinal trait variation along climatic gradients often evolves in widely distributed species, it is unknown whether substrate specialization, such as that of Mediterranean gypsum plants, has constrained adaptation to climate.

Using a common garden experiment with two contrasting watering treatments, we quantified phenotypic plasticity, assessed evidence for footprints of selection using FST – QST comparisons, and evaluated the ecological factors driving genetically based phenotypic differentiation of 11 populations encompassing the full environmental range of the gypsum shrub Lepidium subulatum.

We found evidence for genetic differentiation among populations related to climatic differences, with populations from warmer and drier sites showing lower specific leaf area and leaf N, earlier phenology, greater water use efficiency and greater fitness. Multiple lines of evidence suggest that this differentiation was driven by past divergent selection rather than neutral processes. All populations showed high phenotypic plasticity, indicating that plasticity has not been selected against, even in populations from sites with harsher climatic conditions.

Synthesis. Our results indicate that despite strong substrate specialization, adaptive differentiation related to climatic gradients occurs in this species. However, we also found that populations from mesic sites may be particularly vulnerable to future climate change given their relatively lower fitness under both wet and dry conditions.
Australian Pioneers in Health Economics: The Origins of Medicare
Authors: Williams Ross 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMedicare is now 40 years old, but the blueprint was developed in the 1960s by John Deeble and Richard Scotton working at the Melbourne Institute. Starting with a desire to understand the Australian health system of the early1960s, Deeble and Scotton collected much information and data on the provision of health services and their financing. This led them to be highly critical of the health system and, in response to a challenge from the Labor leader, Gough Whitlam, the development of a new system which we now know as Medicare.
Technology to the Rescue: Shifting to a Predict–Prevent Model for Sustainable Healthcare
Authors: Sullivan Clair M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe traditional break–fix model of healthcare, characterised by reactive interventions after the onset of diseases, is undergoing a significant transformation globally, including in Australia. This is occurring at the same time that revolutionary technologies such as artificial intelligence and precision prevention of disease are emerging. This article explores the imperative to transition from our current break–fix model of health care towards a predict–prevent model, emphasising proactive healthcare strategies underpinned by technology.
The view of freedom that shaped the Swedish welfare state
Authors: Reinikainen Jouni 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThe paper contributes to the debate of the Swedish welfare state by re‐examining the view of freedom underlying the design of this welfare model. The point of departure is two interpretations by Bo Rothstein and Henrik Berggren and Lars Trägårdh, which both describe advancement of individual autonomy as the ultimate point of the model. The paper argues that these readings are overly liberal in the sense that they exaggerate the importance of individualism and autonomy. The view of freedom that shaped the Swedish welfare state was not liberal, and individual autonomy was not the overriding goal for the founders of the model. Instead, the view is best described as quasi‐republican and nondomination based. It was mostly a result of semi‐Marxist ideas about capitalist power and exploitation that lingered on in the ideology of the Swedish social democratic party, the SAP, in the 1930s and 1940s. During the first decades of the 1900s, the SAP gradually revised these ideas in a domination‐based direction. It was the outcome of this process that more than anything else gave the impetus to the design of the Swedish welfare state.
Regulatory mechanism and expression level of PRPS2 in lung cancer
Authors: Meng Ying , Zhang Hua , Xu Mingling , Chen Zhenzhen , Wei Lei 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundLung cancer, with high morbidity and mortality, is the commonest respiratory system neoplasm, which seriously endangers the life safety of patients. In this study, the effect of PRPS2 on cell progression was preliminarily investigated.MethodsImmunohistochemical staining, western blot and reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) were performed to verify the expression level of PRPS2 in lung cancer. Lung cancer cell lines with stable downregulation of PRPS2 were constructed in A549 cells and NCIH460 cells. The function of PRPS2 silencing on the proliferation ability was verified by the EdU and cell colony formation experiment. Scratch and transwell tests were conducted to verify the role of PRPS2 silencing on the migratory and invasive ability of cells. The impact of PRPS2 silencing on cell apoptosis and cell cycle was verified by flow cytometry test. The effects of PRPS2 silencing on apoptosis‐associated proteins were assessed by western blot assay. The function of PRPS2 silencing on tumor growth in vivo was studied through xenograft tumor experiment.ResultsIn comparison with normal tissues, PRPS2 was upregulated in lung cancer tissues. PRPS2 knockdown notably hindered the migratory ability, invasive ability and proliferation, but accelerated cell apoptosis. In vivo experiments confirmed that PRPS2 silencing blocked the growth of transplanted tumors.ConclusionIn lung cancer, PRPS2 silencing suppressed the malignant progression, indicating that PRPS2 might be a novel biomarker for lung cancer treatment and diagnosis.
Enhanced systemic antitumor efficacy of PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade with immunological response induced by photodynamic therapy
Authors: Sonokawa Takumi , Fujiwara Yukio , Pan Cheng , Komohara Yoshihiro , Usuda Jitsuo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) is an antitumor therapy and has traditionally been regarded as a localized therapy in itself. However, recent reports have shown that it not only exerts a direct cytotoxic effect on cancer cells but also enhances body's tumor immunity. We hypothesized that the immunological response induced by PDT could potentially enhance the efficacy of programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) / programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) blockade.MethodsThe cytotoxic effects of PDT on colon 26 cells were investigated in vitro using the WST assay. We investigated whether the antitumor effect of anti‐PD‐1 antibodies could be amplified by the addition of PDT. We performed combination therapy by randomly allocating tumor‐bearing mice to four treatment groups: control, anti‐PD‐1 antibodies, PDT, and a combination of anti‐PD‐1 antibodies and PDT. To analyze the tumor microenvironment after treatment, the tumors were resected and pathologically evaluated.ResultsThe viability rate of colon 26 cells decreased proportionally with the laser dose. In vivo experiments for combined PDT and anti‐PD‐1 antibody treatment, combination therapy showed an enhanced antitumor effect compared with the control. Immunohistochemical findings of the tumor microenvironment 10 days after PDT indicated that the number of CD8+ cells, the area of Iba‐1+ cells and the area expressing PD‐L1 were significantly higher in tumors treated with combination therapy than in tumors treated with anti‐PD‐1 antibody alone, PDT alone, or the control.ConclusionsPDT increased immune cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment. The immunological response induced by PDT may enhance the efficacy of PD‐1/PD‐L1 blockade.
Evangelicals and global warming
Authors: Defoe Terry F. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractEvangelicals have long been suspicious of scientific expertise. About 60% of evangelicals, a group which makes up approximately one‐third of the US population, reject climate change. Many evangelicals allow the Bible to take precedence over science. Various non‐scientific factors contribute to this pervasive skepticism. This paper lists several social and cultural factors that contribute to evangelical concerns, including religion, politics, education, and conservative media. The paper ends on a positive note, pointing out that young evangelicals are taking the lead in getting the word out, lobbying climate‐denying politicians and educators, in addition to contacting young people in universities, places of worship, and through social media, sharing information about climate change with their peers, with the clear advantage of being from the same faith community. As a group, evangelicals present a formidable challenge to effectively dealing with global warming, but a few glimmers of hope are beginning to emerge.
The risk for ophthalmological conditions in ulcerative colitis: A population‐based case–control study. Is silica dust‐exposure associated with inflammatory eye disease?
Authors: Makdoumi Karim , Ayoub Lucyn , Bryngelsson Ing‐Liss , Graff Pål , Wiebert Pernilla , Vihlborg Per 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPurposeTo study the risk for eye diseases in individuals with Ulcerative Colitis (UC), and to assess whether silica dust‐exposure could contribute to the development of inflammatory eye diseases.MethodsA case–control study was conducted using a patient register processed by the National Board of Health and Welfare (NBHW) and Statistics Sweden. Cases were diagnosed with UC between 2007 and 2016. Matching was done with two random controls having the same age, sex and county of residence, without a systemic inflammatory disease. Using a job‐exposure matrix, cases and controls were assessed for work‐related silica dust exposure. The risk for eye disease was estimated by Cox regression analysis with calculation of Hazard Ratio (HR).ResultsA total of 58 989 individuals were included, comprising 19 663 cases and 39 326 controls. The sex distribution was similar. Overall, individuals with UC had an increased risk for eye disease, specified in ICD 10 chapter VII (H00‐H59) with HR 1.25 (CI 1.20–1.32). The highest HR on block‐level for cases was 1.52 (CI 1.36–1.70), (H15‐H22), which includes episcleritis, keratitis and anterior uveitis. The risk for ocular disease was higher in silica dust‐exposed than non‐exposed with a HR of 1.44 (CI 1.16–1.78) and 1.25 (CI 1.19–1.31), respectively. Among cases, the risk for iridocyclitis (H20) was further elevated by silica dust exposure, with HR of 3.84 (CI 1.64–8.97) in exposed compared to 1.94 (1.57–2.41) in non‐exposed.ConclusionUC is associated with an increased risk for eye diseases, including inflammatory conditions. Our findings highlight that silica dust‐exposure may be of importance in the pathogenesis of uveitis.
Asparagine transport through SLC1A5/ASCT2 and SLC38A5/SNAT5 is essential for BCP‐ALL cell survival and a potential therapeutic target
Authors: Taurino Giuseppe , Dander Erica , Chiu Martina , Pozzi Giulia , Maccari Chiara , Starace Rita , Silvestri Daniela , Griffini Erika , Bianchi Massimiliano G. , Carubbi Cecilia , Andreoli Roberta , Mirandola Prisco , Valsecchi Maria Grazia , Rizzari Carmelo , D'Amico Giovanna , Bussolati Ovidio 
Published: May 2024

SummaryB‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP‐ALL) blasts strictly depend on the transport of extra‐cellular asparagine (Asn), yielding a rationale for L‐asparaginase (ASNase) therapy. However, the carriers used by ALL blasts for Asn transport have not been identified yet. Exploiting RS4;11 cells as BCP‐ALL model, we have found that cell Asn is lowered by either silencing or inhibition of the transporters ASCT2 or SNAT5. The inhibitors V‐9302 (for ASCT2) and GluγHA (for SNAT5) markedly lower cell proliferation and, when used together, suppress mTOR activity, induce autophagy and cause a severe nutritional stress, leading to a proliferative arrest and a massive cell death in both the ASNase‐sensitive RS4;11 cells and the relatively ASNase‐insensitive NALM‐6 cells. The cytotoxic effect is not prevented by coculturing leukaemic cells with primary mesenchymal stromal cells. Leukaemic blasts of paediatric ALL patients express ASCT2 and SNAT5 at diagnosis and undergo marked cytotoxicity when exposed to the inhibitors. ASCT2 expression is positively correlated with the minimal residual disease at the end of the induction therapy. In conclusion, ASCT2 and SNAT5 are the carriers exploited by ALL cells to transport Asn, and ASCT2 expression is associated with a lower therapeutic response. ASCT2 may thus represent a novel therapeutic target in BCP‐ALL.
Prevalence of kidney health genetic variants in adults with sickle cell nephropathy
Authors: Ruiz Maria Armila , Zhang Xu , Mansilla M. Adela , Zahr Rima S. , Thomas Christie P. , Smith Richard J. , Gordeuk Victor R. , Saraf Santosh L. 
Published: May 2024

SummaryThe pathophysiology and genetic risk for sickle cell disease (SCD)‐related chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not well understood. In 70 adults with SCD‐related CKD and without APOL1 inherited in a high‐risk pattern, 24 (34%) had pathogenic variants in candidate genes using KidneySeq™. A moderate impact INF2 variant was observed in 20 (29%) patients and those with 3 versus 0–2 pathogenic or moderate impact glomerular genetic variants had higher albuminuria and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (adjusted p ≤ 0.015). Using a panel of preselected genes implicated in kidney health, we observed several variants in people with sickle cell nephropathy.
Holding the hope? Therapist and client perspectives on long COVID recovery: A Q‐methodology
Authors: Burton‐Fisher William , Gordon Kim 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPurposeLong COVID is a global health concern which has debilitating effects on the individual experiencing it. In the United Kingdom, psychological therapies are being offered to people with long COVID, although the evidence for these therapies is yet to be demonstrated. This research aimed to understand how therapists and clients define and understand recovery from long COVID, and use hope theory to interpret the results.MethodsAn online Q‐methodology was employed, where participants sorted a range of statements pertaining to long COVID recovery based on their level of agreement with them. These arranged statements (Q‐sorts) were collated and factor analysed to explore and compare underlying perspectives.ResultsSixteen participants were recruited for the study, including eleven clients, four IAPT therapists and one therapist working in the broader long COVID pathway. A four‐factor model is reported, including (1) Psychological Pathways to Recovery, (2) Social Context and Agency, (3) Physiological Goals of Recovery and (4) Personal Meaning Making. All IAPT therapists loaded onto the psychological pathways factor, whereas the remaining participants shared more diverse perspectives.ConclusionsThe belief that long COVID recovery was possible, taken as an indicator of hopefulness, was rated highest for Factor 1, Psychological Pathways to Recovery, and Factor 3, Physiological Recovery Goals. This suggested that having a clear definition of recovery, or clear guidance on how to intervene, promoted hopefulness and, theoretically, well‐being. However, clients reported experiences of being invalidated and disbelieved by health professionals, with psychological explanations sometimes being experienced as dismissive and invalidating. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Liquid–liquid phase separation of microtubule‐binding proteins in the regulation of spindle assembly
Authors: Sun Shuang , Yang Yang , Zhou Jun , Liu Peiwei 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCell division is a highly regulated process essential for the accurate segregation of chromosomes. Central to this process is the assembly of a bipolar mitotic spindle, a highly dynamic microtubule (MT)‐based structure responsible for chromosome movement. The nucleation and dynamics of MTs are intricately regulated by MT‐binding proteins. Over the recent years, various MT‐binding proteins have been reported to undergo liquid–liquid phase separation, forming either single‐ or multi‐component condensates on MTs. Herein, we provide a comprehensive summary of the phase separation characteristics of these proteins. We underscore their critical roles in MT nucleation, spindle assembly and kinetochore‐MT attachment during the cell division process. Furthermore, we discuss the current challenges and various remaining unsolved problems, highlights the ongoing research efforts aimed at a deeper understanding of the role of the phase separation process during spindle assembly and orientation. Our review aims to contribute to the collective knowledge in this area and stimulate further investigations that will enhance our comprehension of the intricate mechanisms governing cell division.
The effects of fiscal policy management, candidacy of previous mayors, and illiteracy on mayoral reelection in Brazil
Authors: Lautenschlage Jonatan , Veiga Linda G. , Veiga Francisco J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractThis study investigates factors influencing the reelection prospects of Brazilian mayors. Analyzing a comprehensive data set spanning 5114 municipalities across four elections reveals that increases in investment and current expenditures before elections pay off at the polls. Moreover, higher average investment expenditures throughout the term enhance reelection chances. The results also indicate that when former term‐limited mayors run against the incumbent, reelection probability diminishes, particularly with higher average investment by the previous mayor. Finally, the level of literacy shapes voter attitudes towards opportunistic fiscal strategies: voters with limited literacy are inclined to reward increases in current expenditures, whereas more educated populations prefer increasing investment.
Host preferences of an invasive specialist herbivore and native predators on chemically defended plants
Authors: Huss Christiana P. , Golan Jonathan E. , Blubaugh Carmen K. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract
Herbivorous insects generally choose host plants that optimize their growth. However, many specialists choose chemically defended host plants that slow their growth, prioritizing protection from natural enemies.
Invasive specialist herbivores may have an added advantage in their non‐native range where they lack co‐evolved specialist natural enemies, in addition to being unpalatable to generalist predators.
Here, we explore the diet preferences of the invasive yellowmargined leaf beetle, Microtheca ochroloma and those of native natural enemies. We measured M. ochroloma preferences among six Brassica cultivars varying in glucosinolate concentrations.
In both field and laboratory experiments, M. ochroloma preferred the relatively less defended host plants, mizuna and Chinese cabbage. M. ochroloma grew quickest on mizuna.
Generalist predators also preferred to eat M. ochroloma larvae that had been fed mizuna in choice trials, yet in the field, predatory insects were least commonly found on mizuna, and most commonly found on plants dominated by native herbivores.
M. ochroloma consumes plants that increase their susceptibility to predators, but predation pressure in the field appears to be generally low. Our results suggest that invasive specialist herbivores may prioritize growth over protection against natural enemies.
Weak top‐down regulation of specialist herbivore invaders might enable them to exploit less‐defended host plants in their novel range that facilitate faster growth and exacerbate crop damage. Invasive pests may be more effectively managed by leveraging plant preferences in the novel host range in trap crop systems.
Isothermal and thermomechanical fatigue crack growth behavior of 316LN stainless steel under load‐ and strain‐controlled modes
Authors: Zheng Yiming , Li Bingbing , Chen Xu 
Published: May 2024

AbstractCrack growth tests of 316LN stainless steel under load‐controlled and strain‐controlled thermo‐mechanical fatigue (TMF) loadings at the temperature range of 350°C ~ 550°C were conducted. Moreover, the isothermal fatigue (IF) crack growth tests at the maximum temperature of 550°C were performed for comparison. The differences in IF and TMF crack propagation behavior under different loading conditions were thoroughly discussed, and the underlying mechanisms were revealed by a comprehensive characterization of the deformation state of the crack tip region using digital image correlation (DIC) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) methods. Furthermore, it was found that the EBSD characterization was simply based on a single plane made it difficult to evaluate the complex crack growth behavior. In addition, the limitations of the classical parameter of stress intensity factor under TMF loading were presented.