The evolution of reproductive leaf dimorphism in two globally distributed fern families is neither stepwise nor irreversible, unless further specialization evolves.

A contemporary interpretation of Dollo's Law is that the evolution of specialized structures is irreversible. Among land plants, reproductive specialization shows a trend toward increasing complexity without reversion, raising questions about evolutionary steps and irreversibility of reproductive complexity. Ferns, exhibit varied reproductive strategies, some are dimorphic (producing separate leaves for photosynthesis and reproduction), while others are monomorphic (where one leaf is used for both photosynthesis and spore dispersal).

Assessment of Health-Related Quality of Life of Stroke Survivors in Southeast Communities in Nigeria.

The prevalence of stroke in Nigeria has continued to be a major public health challenge. Recovery from a stroke episode can be a long-impacting process with reduced quality of life outcomes. Past studies have explored the quality of life (QoL) of stroke survivors.

Biomimetic laser-induced graphene fern leaf and enzymatic biosensor for pesticide spray collection and monitoring.

Monitoring of pesticide concentration distribution across farm fields is crucial to ensure precise and efficient application while preventing overuse or untreated areas. Inspired by nature's wettability patterns, we developed a biomimetic fern leaf pesticide collection patch using laser-induced graphene (LIG) alongside an external electrochemical LIG biosensor. This "collect-and-sense" system allows for rapid pesticide spray monitoring in the farm field.

Occurrence patterns of sympatric forest wallabies: assessing the influence of structural habitat attributes on the coexistence of and .

Background: We studied the occurrence of two sympatric wallabies, the red-necked pademelon () and the red-legged pademelon () in northeastern New South Wales, Australia in relation to structural habitat attributes. At our study site, both species inhabit closed forest environments and have overlapping distributions, but leaves the forest at night to graze adjacent grassy forest edges whereas remains within the forest and browses forest vegetation. The objectives of the study were to investigate how structural attributes of two forest types, wet sclerophyll forest and rainforest, relate to the fine-scale occurrence of these two wallaby species within the forested environment.

Living jewels: iterative evolution of iridescent blue leaves from helicoidal cell walls.

Background And Aims: Structural colour is responsible for the remarkable metallic blue colour seen in the leaves of several plants. Species belonging to only ten genera have been investigated to date, revealing four photonic structures responsible for structurally coloured leaves. One of these is the helicoidal cell wall, known to create structural colour in the leaf cells of five taxa.

, a new genus and species of sequestrate found in Florida nursery production.

We describe a novel sequestrate genus and species, found associated with nursery production of ferns in south Florida. This truffle species has a unique combination of morphological characters among described in that it lacks a stipe or columella, has large, ornamented spores, the fresh sporocarps rapidly stain pink-red when cut or bruised, and they have a rancid smell. Although this fungus does not appear to be a direct plant pathogen, the hyphae of produce a thick hydrophobic mycelial mat that binds the organic matter and therefore prevents water and fertilizer from being absorbed by plants, consequently causing wilting and chlorosis.

Levels of Self-representation and Their Sociocognitive Correlates in Late-Diagnosed Autistic Adults.

The cognitive representation of oneself is central to other sociocognitive processes, including relations with others. It is reflected in faster, more accurate processing of self-relevant information, a "self-prioritisation effect" (SPE) which is inconsistent across studies in autism. Across two tasks with autistic and non-autistic participants, we explored the SPE and its relationship to autistic traits, mentalizing ability and loneliness.

Effects of the Norfolk diabetes prevention lifestyle intervention (NDPS) on glycaemic control in screen-detected type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial.

Background: The purpose of this trial was to test if the Norfolk Diabetes Prevention Study (NDPS) lifestyle intervention, recently shown to reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes in high-risk groups, also improved glycaemic control in people with newly diagnosed screen-detected type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We screened 12,778 participants at high risk of type 2 diabetes using a fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c). People with screen-detected type 2 diabetes were randomised in a parallel, three-arm, controlled trial with up to 46 months of follow-up, with a control arm (CON), a group-based lifestyle intervention of 6 core and up to 15 maintenance sessions (INT), or the same intervention with additional support from volunteers with type 2 diabetes trained to co-deliver the lifestyle intervention (INT-DPM).

Reporting the whole story: Analysis of the 'out-of-scope' questions from the James Lind Alliance Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Priority Setting Partnership Survey.

Objective: We conducted a UK-wide survey to identify the top 10 research questions for young people's cancer. We conducted secondary analysis of questions submitted, which were 'out-of-scope' of the original survey aim. We sought to disseminate these questions, to inform practice, policy and the development of potential interventions to support young people with cancer.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1182-1283.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , from , from soil. , as endophyte from healthy leaves of , in fruit of , from stem of , on stems of , from rhizosphere soil of , on living leaves of , , and on living leaves of sp. , from soil.

Dominant and recessive congenital myasthenic syndromes caused by SYT2 mutations.

Introduction/aims: We studied a patient with a congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) caused by a dominant mutation in the synaptotagmin 2 gene (SYT2) and compared the clinical features of this patient with those of a previously described patient with a recessive mutation in the same gene.

Methods: We performed electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies, genetic studies, muscle biopsy, microelectrode recordings and electron microscopy (EM).

Results: Both patients presented with muscle weakness and bulbar deficits, which were worse in the recessive form.

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer: a position paper from the AYA Working Group of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE).

It is well recognised that adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer have inequitable access to oncology services that provide expert cancer care and consider their unique needs. Subsequently, survival gains in this patient population have improved only modestly compared with older adults and children with cancer. In 2015, the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the European Society for Paediatric Oncology (SIOPE) established the joint Cancer in AYA Working Group in order to increase awareness among adult and paediatric oncology communities, enhance knowledge on specific issues in AYA and ultimately improve the standard of care for AYA with cancer across Europe.

Pre-Implementation Assessment of the Acceptability of Using Circulating microRNAs for Follow-Up of Malignant Germ-Cell Tumors.

Background: MicroRNAs from the miR-371~373 and miR-302/367 clusters, particularly miR-371a-3p, are promising biomarkers for blood-based diagnosis and disease monitoring of malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) and are nearing clinical implementation. These biomarkers have superior sensitivity and specificity compared with current markers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). We explored patient acceptability of using circulating microRNAs to replace multiple serial computed tomography (CT) scans in malignant GCT follow-up.

The carbon footprint of a UK University during the COVID-19 lockdown.

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to compare the carbon intensity of higher education delivered on- and off-campus. This is attributed to governmental lockdown orders that have forced Universities to close their campuses, ban business travel and move all teaching and learning activities online. This study represents the first known attempt to compare the carbon footprint of a mid-sized UK University produced during the COVID-19 lockdown (April-June 2020) against that generated within the respective time period in previous years.

A taxonomic and molecular survey of the pteridophytes of the Nectandra Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica.

Floristic surveys are crucial to the conservation of biodiversity, but the vast majority of such surveys are limited to listing species names, and few take into account the evolutionary history of species. Here, we combine classical taxonomic and molecular phylogenetic (DNA barcoding) approaches to catalog the biodiversity of pteridophytes (ferns and lycophytes) of the Nectandra Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica. Surveys were carried out over three field seasons (2008, 2011, and 2013), resulting in 176 species representing 69 genera and 22 families of pteridophytes.

Lifestyle Intervention With or Without Lay Volunteers to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes in People With Impaired Fasting Glucose and/or Nondiabetic Hyperglycemia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Nearly half of the older adult population has diabetes or a high-risk intermediate glycemic category, but we still lack trial evidence for effective type 2 diabetes prevention interventions in most of the current high-risk glycemic categories.

Objective: To determine whether a group-based lifestyle intervention (with or without trained volunteers with type 2 diabetes) reduced the risk of progression to type 2 diabetes in populations with a high-risk glycemic category.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The Norfolk Diabetes Prevention Study was a parallel, 3-arm, group-based, randomized clinical trial conducted with up to 46 months of follow-up from August 2011 to January 2019 at 135 primary care practices and 8 intervention sites in the East of England.

Does spatial awareness training affect anatomy learning in medical students?

Spatial ability (SA) is the cognitive capacity to understand and mentally manipulate concepts of objects, remembering relationships among their parts and those of their surroundings. Spatial ability provides a learning advantage in science and may be useful in anatomy and technical skills in health care. This study aimed to assess the relationship between SA and anatomy scores in first- and second-year medical students.

Nosocomial transmission of influenza: A retrospective cross-sectional study using next generation sequencing at a hospital in England (2012-2014).

Background: The extent of transmission of influenza in hospital settings is poorly understood. Next generation sequencing may improve this by providing information on the genetic relatedness of viral strains.

Objectives: We aimed to apply next generation sequencing to describe transmission in hospital and compare with methods based on routinely-collected data.

Research priorities for young people with cancer: a UK priority setting partnership with the James Lind Alliance.

Objectives: To conduct a UK-wide survey of young people who have experienced cancer, carers and professionals, to identify and prioritise research questions to inform decisions of research funders and support the case for research with this unique cancer population.

Design: James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership.

Setting: UK health service and community.

Social media guidelines: a review for health professionals and faculty members.

Background: The rising societal use of social media has encouraged health professionals to use social media in their professional activities; however, this can be a daunting task, particularly for those who are uncertain about the boundaries for the professional use of social media. This article summarises the guidelines provided by medical governing bodies on social media use and provides practical advice on how social media can be used, which is transferrable across the health professions.

Methods: Nine guidance documents published by medical governing bodies in major international English-speaking countries were reviewed and analysed to identify their key common messages.