bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The biogeography of Gabonese savannas: Evidence from termite community richness and composition
Authors: Evouna Ondo Fidèle , Jeffery Kathryn J. , Whytock Robin , Abernethy Katharine A. , Couteron Pierre , Eggleton Paul , Griffin Claire , Ostle Nicolas J. , Koumba Pambo Aurelie‐Flore , Ngomanda Alfred , Edzang Ndong Josué , Parr Catherine L. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAimThe mosaic of savannas that persists in the forest‐dominant Congo Basin is thought to be palaeoclimatic relics, but past biogeographical processes that have formed and maintained these systems are poorly understood. Here, we explored the post‐Pleistocene biogeography of Gabon's savannas using termites as biological indicators to understand historical and mechanistic factors influencing present‐day termite communities in the country's extant savannas.LocationGabon, Central Africa.TaxonBlattodea: Termitoidae.MethodsUsing standardised transect methods, we sampled termite communities in four disjunct modern savanna areas of Gabon: the centre (Lopé), the southeast (Batéké) and the south (Mayombe North and South). Termites at Lopé were collected in three habitats (annually burned savannas, savannas with a depressed fire regime and forest). We used DNA barcoding of the COII region to identify termite species and compared abundance, species richness and community composition across areas and habitats.ResultsCommunity composition differed greatly between Lopé and both Batéké and Mayombe savannas with Lopé being exceptionally depauperate and lacking characteristic savanna species. Within Lopé, termite abundance and diversity was highest in forests and lowest in annually burned savannas, with a gradual change in species composition across the forest–savanna gradient associated with fire history.Main ConclusionsThe absence of savanna typical species in Lopé savannas challenges current assumptions that these savannas were linked to the south/southeastern savannas during the Pleistocene and suggests a different evolutionary history. Lopé savannas may instead have opened as an isolated grassland and never have been contiguous with neighbouring savannas, or were isolated soon after forest expansion began and have now lost savanna‐typical species. Furthermore, the patterns of termite community composition in fire suppressed savannas support a hypothesis of rapid change driven by fire frequency where either fire suppression or infrequent burning over 23 years has meant savannas have become ecologically much more forest‐like.
Blockade of glucagon increases muscle mass and alters fiber type composition in mice deficient in proglucagon‐derived peptides
Authors: Ueno Shinji , Seino Yusuke , Hidaka Shihomi , Nakatani Masashi , Hitachi Keisuke , Murao Naoya , Maeda Yasuhiro , Fujisawa Haruki , Shibata Megumi , Takayanagi Takeshi , Iizuka Katsumi , Yabe Daisuke , Sugimura Yoshihisa , Tsuchida Kunihiro , Hayashi Yoshitaka , Suzuki Atsushi 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACTAims/IntroductionGlucagon is secreted from pancreatic α‐cells and plays an important role in amino acid metabolism in liver. Various animal models deficient in glucagon action show hyper‐amino acidemia and α‐cell hyperplasia, indicating that glucagon contributes to feedback regulation between the liver and the α‐cells. In addition, both insulin and various amino acids, including branched‐chain amino acids and alanine, participate in protein synthesis in skeletal muscle. However, the effect of hyperaminoacidemia on skeletal muscle has not been investigated. In the present study, we examined the effect of blockade of glucagon action on skeletal muscle using mice deficient in proglucagon‐derived peptides (GCGKO mice).Materials and MethodsMuscles isolated from GCGKO and control mice were analyzed for their morphology, gene expression and metabolites.ResultsGCGKO mice showed muscle fiber hypertrophy, and a decreased ratio of type IIA and an increased ratio of type IIB fibers in the tibialis anterior. The expression levels of myosin heavy chain (Myh) 7, 2, 1 and myoglobin messenger ribonucleic acid were significantly lower in GCGKO mice than those in control mice in the tibialis anterior. GCGKO mice showed a significantly higher concentration of arginine, asparagine, serine and threonine in the quadriceps femoris muscles, and also alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamine, glycine and lysine, as well as four amino acids in gastrocnemius muscles.ConclusionsThese results show that hyperaminoacidemia induced by blockade of glucagon action in mice increases skeletal muscle weight and stimulates slow‐to‐fast transition in type II fibers of skeletal muscle, mimicking the phenotype of a high‐protein diet.
Gender Bias in Test Item Formats: Evidence from PISA 2009, 2012, and 2015 Math and Reading Tests
Authors: Shear Benjamin R. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractLarge‐scale standardized tests are regularly used to measure student achievement overall and for student subgroups. These uses assume tests provide comparable measures of outcomes across student subgroups, but prior research suggests score comparisons across gender groups may be complicated by the type of test items used. This paper presents evidence that among nationally representative samples of 15‐year‐olds in the United States participating in the 2009, 2012, and 2015 PISA math and reading tests, there are consistent item format by gender differences. On average, male students answer multiple‐choice items correctly relatively more often and female students answer constructed‐response items correctly relatively more often. These patterns were consistent across 34 additional participating PISA jurisdictions, although the size of the format differences varied and were larger on average in reading than math. The average magnitude of the format differences is not large enough to be flagged in routine differential item functioning analyses intended to detect test bias but is large enough to raise questions about the validity of inferences based on comparisons of scores across gender groups. Researchers and other test users should account for test item format, particularly when comparing scores across gender groups.
Characterization of UDP‐glycosyltranferase genes and their roles in chlorfenapyr tolerance in Glyphodes pyloalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)
Authors: Liang Xinhao , Ding Jianhao , Zhu Hanqi , Miao Wanglong , Li Ping , Zhou Weihong , Wu Fu‐an , Wang Jun , Sheng Sheng 
Published: June 2023

AbstractGlyphodes pyloalis Walker (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is the main pest of mulberry leaves and causes great losses to the sericultural industry in China. Chlorfenapyr is a new type of arylpyrrole insecticide in mulberry fields. Uridine diphosphate–glycosyltransferase (UGT) is the major phase II metabolizing enzymes that play important roles in detoxifying the toxic substances in insects. However, the roles of UGT genes against chemical insecticides in lepidopteran pests still receive less attention. To better understand the mechanism of insecticide tolerance in G. pyloalis, a LC50 of chlorfenapyr to the fourth‐instar larvae was firstly determined. Subsequently, 24 UGT genes were identified from the previous constructed larvae transcriptome of G. pyloalis. Among these, 23 contained full‐length ORFs and shared high homology with Ostrinia furnacalis and Chilo suppressalis. qRT‐PCR validation revealed that four GpylUGTs (GpUGT33AQ1, GpUGT33AS1, GpUGT50A14, and GpUGT40AV1) were significantly upregulated after 24 h of chlorfenapyr treatment. Three GpylUGTs (GpUGT33AS1, GpUGT40AM4, and GpUGT40AK7) were upregulated after 48 h of chlorfenapyr treatment compared to the control groups. To further explore the functions of UGT genes, GpUGT33AS1 was selected and knocked down, which resulted in the decline of UGT expression and significantly increased the mortality of G. pyloalis larvae under LC30 chlorfenapyr exposure. This study revealed that UGTs in G. pyloalis contributed to the tolerance towards chlorfenapyr and provided basic insight into the insecticide detoxification mechanism in lepidopteran pests.
Postnatal growth and spatial conformity of the cranium, brain, eyeballs and masseter muscles in the macaque (Macaca mulatta)
Authors: Jeffery Nathan , Manson Amy 
Published: June 2023

AbstractSpatial growth constraints in the head region can lead to coordinated patterns of morphological variation that pleiotropically modify genetically defined phenotypes as the tissues compete for space. Here we test for such architectural modifications during rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) postnatal ontogeny. We captured cranium and brain shape from 153 MRI datasets spanning 13 to 1090 postnatal days and tested for patterns of covariation with measurements of relative brain, eyeball, and masseter muscle size as well as callosal tract length. We find that the shape of the infant (<365 days) macaque cranium was most closely aligned to masseter muscle and brain size measured relative to face size. Infant brain and juvenile (365–1090 days) cranium shape were more closely linked with brain size relative to basicranium and face size. Meanwhile, the juvenile macaque brain shape was dominated by the size of the brain relative to that of the basicranium. Associations with relative eyeball size and commissural tract lengths were weaker. Our results are consistent with a spatial‐packing regime operating during postnatal macaque ontogeny, in which relative growth of the masseter, face and basicranium have a greater influence than brain growth on the overall shape of the cranium and brain.
Hygiene management of intermittent self‐catheterization using reusable silicone catheters in people with spinal cord lesions: A cross‐sectional Internet survey in Japan
Authors: Takahashi Ryosuke , Sekido Noritoshi , Matsuoka Mihoko , Sengoku Atsushi , Nomi Masashi , Matsuyama Fujio , Murata Tatsunori , Kitta Takeya , Mitsui Takahiko 
Published: June 2023

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate hygiene management and catheter maintenance of reusable silicone catheters for intermittent self‐catheterization (ISC) in Japan and examine their relationship with symptomatic urinary tract infection (sUTI).MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional Internet survey of people performing ISC using reusable silicone catheters owing to spinal cord lesions in Japan. Hygiene management and catheter maintenance of reusable silicone catheters and the incidence and frequency of sUTI were evaluated. We also examined the significant risk factors for sUTI.ResultsOf 136 respondents, 62 (46%), 41 (30%), and 58 (43%) washed hands with water, washed hands with soap, and cleaned or disinfected the urethral meatus every time or most of the time before ISC, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the incidence and frequency of sUTI between respondents who adhered to these procedures and those who did not. There were no significant differences in the incidence and frequency of sUTI in respondents who changed their catheters every month and in those who changed their preservation solution within 2 days compared with those who did not. In multivariate analysis, pain during ISC, inconvenience of indoor mobility, bowel management problems, and participants' feeling of never having received instruction on catheter replacement were significant risk factors for sUTI.ConclusionsThere are individual differences in hygiene management and catheter maintenance of reusable silicone catheters, but the influence of these differences on the incidence and frequency of sUTI is not clear. Pain during ISC, bowel management problems, and inadequate instruction on catheter maintenance procedures are factors associated with sUTI.
Reassessment of the olive ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys olivacea nesting population at Nancite Beach, Costa Rica
Authors: Fonseca Luis G. , Villachica Wilbert N. , Rangel Eduardo , Palola Eric , Gilbert Monique , Valverde Roldán A. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractNancite is a fully protected beach within the Guanacaste Conservation Area, Costa Rica where olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles nest in synchronous mass‐nesting events known as arribadas. Arribadas decreased in magnitude at this beach by approximately 90% during the period 1971–2007 due to unknown causes. The total count estimate of females nesting in a year also decreased over these decades. In the present study, from August 2009 to February 2021, the trend of arribada nesting female abundance and estimated annual production of hatchlings were assessed and compared with previous trend analyses. A total of 62 mass‐nesting events were quantified in the period 2009–2021, with an estimated annual average of 64,694 nesting females. Trend analysis indicated that during our recent study period, the number of females per arribada event increased by an estimated 14% (8%, 20% CI95%). During this period, a mean hatching rate of 33.4% was estimated, corresponding to an overall estimated production average of 2,165,597 per season, which represented an increase of 82.7% compared with a previous estimate for the period 1980–1984, when the arribadas were larger. We suggest that the growth in hatchling production over the past four decades is at least in part responsible for the slight increase in the estimated size of arribadas since 2009/2010. However, because maximal hatching success did not increase above 60%, the beach may be close to reaching carrying capacity, and it seems that high hatchling production may soon level off or begin to decrease. Thus, it is not clear whether current hatchling production will lead to the recovery of the Nancite population to the historical levels documented in the 1970s and early 1980s.
Phylogenetically‐conserved candidate genes unify biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships and eco‐evolutionary dynamics across biological scales
Authors: Blanchet Simon , Fargeot Laura , Raffard Allan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe intra‐ and interspecific facets of biodiversity have traditionally been analysed separately, limiting our understanding of how evolution has shaped biodiversity, how biodiversity (as a whole) alters ecological dynamics and hence eco‐evolutionary feedbacks at the community scale. Here, we propose using candidate genes phylogenetically‐conserved across species and sustaining functional traits as an inclusive biodiversity unit transcending the intra‐ and interspecific boundaries. This framework merges knowledge from functional genomics and functional ecology, and we first provide guidelines and a concrete example for identifying phylogenetically‐conserved candidate genes (PCCGs) within communities and for measuring biodiversity from PCCGs. We then explain how biodiversity measured at PCCGs can be linked to ecosystem functions, which unifies recent observations that both intra‐ and interspecific biodiversity are important for ecosystem functions. We then highlight the eco‐evolutionary processes shaping PCCG diversity patterns and argue that their respective role can be inferred from concepts derived from population genetics. Finally, we explain how PCCGs may shift the field of eco‐evolutionary dynamics from a focal‐species approach to a more realistic focal‐community approach. This framework provides a novel perspective to investigate the global ecosystem consequences of diversity loss across biological scales, and how these ecological changes further alter biodiversity evolution.
Gastrointestinal involvement of passenger lymphocyte syndrome followed by minor ABO‐incompatible renal transplantation: A case report
Authors: Yeom Gyeong Eun , Lim Seon Hee , Kim Ji Hyun , Ahn Yo Han , Kim Hyungsuk , Ha Jongwon , Kim Hyun‐Young , Kang Hee Gyung 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundPeople with group O blood are considered universal organ donors compatible with any other blood group. However, in the case of minor ABO‐incompatible transplantation, immune‐mediated hemolysis may occur due to concomitant transfer of donor B lymphocytes together with the allograft. These passenger lymphocytes can produce antibodies in the recipients erythrocytes, causing hemolytic anemia known as passenger lymphocyte syndrome (PLS).MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed.ResultsA 6‐year‐old boy (A+) underwent transplantation of a kidney from his father (O+). On postoperative day (POD) 6, the patient developed fever with no explainable causes. On POD 11, he presented with abdominal pain, hematochezia, and severe diarrhea, with sudden hemolytic anemia. Since then, GI symptoms have continued. On POD 20, direct antiglobulin test (DAT) was positive, and the anti‐A IgM/G titer was 2/32. The results of the anti‐A antibody elution test were strongly positive (3+). These findings highly suggested PLS. On the same day, the GI symptoms suddenly worsened, and laboratory findings showed hemolysis and thrombocytopenia with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scans suggested ischemic colitis of venous origin, and the patient underwent segmental colectomy with ileostomy formation on POD 23. To remove the anti‐A antibodies, the patient underwent therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) five times until the DAT and anti‐A elution test were negative.ConclusionsWe report a case of gastrointestinal involvement of PLS that occurred after minor ABO‐incompatible kidney transplantation. This is the first report of ischemic colitis as an atypical manifestation of PLS.
Moral worth and skillful action
Authors: Horst David 
Published: June 2023

AbstractSomeone acts in a morally worthy way when they deserve credit for doing the morally right thing. But when and why do agents deserve credit for the success involved in doing the right thing? It is tempting to seek an answer to that question by drawing an analogy with creditworthy success in other domains of human agency, especially in sports, arts, and crafts. Accordingly, some authors have recently argued that, just like creditworthy success in, say, chess, playing the piano, or archery, creditworthy moral success is a matter of getting things right by way of manifesting a relevant skill. My main aim in this paper is to bring out an important structural difference between moral creditworthiness and creditworthiness in sports, arts, and craft, undermining attempts to use examples of the latter as a model for understanding the former. As an alternative, I propose an account of morally creditworthy action, according to which such action is a matter of manifesting virtue, not skill—a claim that's based on an important, but underappreciated, difference between the sorts of excellences constituting virtues and skills. The paper thus contributes to a more nuanced picture of normative achievements across different domains of human agency, highlighting largely overlooked structural dissimilarities among them.
The burden of systemic corticosteroid use in asthma management in Asia
Authors: Dhar Raja , Rhee Chin Kook , Perng Diahn‐Warng , Fukunaga Koichi , Ip Mary Sau‐Man , Juthong Siwasak , Koh Mariko Siyue , Li Jing , Sharma Shubham , Wiyono Wiwien Heru 
Published: June 2023

AbstractFor most patients, asthma can be effectively managed using inhaled medications. However, patients who have severe and/or uncontrolled asthma, or who experience exacerbations, may require systemic corticosteroids (SCSs) to maintain asthma control. Although SCS are highly effective in this regard, even modest exposure to these medications can increase the risk for long‐term, adverse health outcomes, such as type 2 diabetes, renal impairment, cardiovascular disease and overall mortality. Clinical and real‐world data from studies investigating asthma severity, control and treatment practices around the globe have suggested that SCS are overused in asthma management, adding to the already substantial healthcare burden experienced by patients. Throughout Asia, although data on asthma severity, control and SCS usage are limited and vary widely among countries, available data strongly suggest a pattern of overuse consistent with the broader global trend. Coordinated changes at the patient, provider, institutional and policy levels, such as increasing disease awareness, promoting better adherence to treatment guidelines and increasing availability of safe and effective alternatives to SCS, are likely necessary to reduce the SCS burden for patients with asthma in Asia.
Quantification of blood loss in obstetric haemorrhage: implications on intervention and transfusion
Authors: Haque Noreen , Roberts Ruth , Kumar Bid 
Published: June 2023

Key content
Postpartum haemorrhage accounts for 27% of all maternal deaths. Incorrect quantification of blood loss can lead to unnecessary interventions, such as the transfusion of blood products, which is not without risk.
During pregnancy, cardiovascular changes may explain how blood loss can occur rapidly, with pregnant women tolerating large volumes of blood loss before a change in clinical signs is seen.
Several methods are used to quantify blood loss, such as visual estimation, volumetric, gravimetric, colorimetric and photometric.
The Obstetric Bleeding Strategy for Wales (OBS Cymru) project, which standardised management of obstetric haemorrhage in Wales using a four‐stage approach, showed a statistically significant improvement in outcomes.
Different definitions of postpartum haemorrhage make it difficult to compare available evidence. Further studies are required combining the use of point‐of‐care tests and quantitative techniques to help improve morbidity and mortality associated with obstetric haemorrhage.
Learning objectives
To understand the physiological changes in pregnancy and how they affect postpartum haemorrhage.
To know the different available methods of quantifying blood loss.
To review the point‐of‐care tests used to guide transfusion and management of postpartum haemorrhage.
Ethical issues
Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of quantifying blood loss is essential to providing appropriate and safe care.
Inaccuracy in measurement increases the risk of morbidity and mortality, in addition to complications of unnecessary treatments.
Hyperlipidaemia and severe hypertriglyceridaemia in pregnancy
Authors: Bashir Mohammed , Navti Osric B , Ahmed Badreldeen , Konje Justin C 
Published: June 2023

Key contentLipid and triglyceride levels increase in pregnancy and do not pose problems for most women. However, pregnancy‐specific factors and genetic aberrations, especially mutations, may result in supraphysiological hypercholesterolaemia (HC) and severe hypertriglyceridaemia (sHTG).HC and sHTG are associated with complications in pregnancy, including acute pancreatitis, hyperviscosity syndrome and pre‐eclampsia.Abnormally high levels of lipids and triglycerides also affect fetal growth and the onset of gestational diabetes.The clinical presentation and diagnosis of HC and sHTG are varied.Management options include lifestyle and dietary restriction/modification, omega‐3, bile‐acid sequestrants, fenofibrate, statins and plasmapheresis.Learning objectivesTo understand the physiological changes that occur in lipids in pregnancy and how these are modulated.To appreciate the importance of severe HC and HTG in pregnancy, including their effects on maternal morbidity and mortality.To understand the various approaches to management and the importance of multidisciplinary management.Ethical issuesShould every woman be screened for HTG and HC during pregnancy?How safe are statins and other treatments for lipid disorders in pregnancy?Should women with very severe HTG be discouraged from getting pregnant?