bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How common is common? Rapidly assessing population size and structure of the frog Mantidactylus betsileanus at a site in east‐central Madagascar
Authors: Edmonds Devin , Kessler Ethan , Bolte Leonard
Published: July 2019

Population‐level data are urgently needed for amphibians in light of the ongoing amphibian extinction crisis. Studies focused on population dynamics are not only important for rare species but also for common species which shape ecosystems to a greater degree than those that are rare. Some of the greatest global amphibian species diversity is found in Madagascar, yet there are few studies on the ecology of frog species on the island. We carried out a mark‐recapture study on the widespread frog Mantidactylus betsileanus (Mantellidae: Mantellinae: Mantidactylus) at two adjacent rainforest sites in east‐central Madagascar to assess its population size and structure. To do so, we validated and implemented an individual identification protocol using photographs of the ventral patterns of frogs and identified individuals with photographic‐matching software. Using this rapid, non‐invasive survey method, we were able to estimate a density of 26 and 28 frogs per 100 m2 at each of the two sites sampled. Our results show the rainforests near the village of Andasibe, Madagascar support remarkably high amphibian abundance, helping illustrate the significant ecological role of frogs in this ecosystem. Further, individual frog markings allowed us to develop more precise estimates than traditional survey methods. This study provides a blueprint to augment existing population studies or develop new monitoring programs in Madagascar and beyond.
Early responses of bark and wood boring beetles to an outbreak of the hemlock looper Lambdina fiscellaria (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) in a boreal balsam fir forest of North America
Authors: Béland Jean‐Michel , Bauce Éric , Cloutier Conrad , Berthiaume Richard , Hébert Christian
Published: July 2019

We investigated the early responses of bark and wood boring beetles to an extensive supply of balsam fir (Abies balsamea) trees, stressed or recently killed during an outbreak of the hemlock looper (Lambdina fiscellaria) in Quebec, Canada.

The present study aimed to (i) examine beetle assemblages across all levels of defoliation and (ii) assess the relative influences of defoliation, tree mortality, stand structure and spatial context on beetle assemblages.

We used three types of traps in each of 36 plots: multidirectional flight interception traps measured adult beetle flight activity within stands, trunk window traps measured visitation rates at trees and emergence traps measured beetle colonization of trees.

Flight traps in nondefoliated plots allowed characterization of ‘pre‐outbreak’ beetle assemblages, which were not discernable in emergence traps because few insects colonize heathy trees. ‘Pre‐outbreak’ assemblages, characterized by a mix of polyphagous beetle species (e.g. Evodinus monticola, Dryocoetes autographus), shifted to those dominated by Trypodendron lineatum after extensive defoliation. Two Pissodes species colonized heavily defoliated trees but not dead ones.

Defoliation level, conifer basal area, basal area of dead balsam firs and the extent of recently logged areas around sampling plots were positively correlated with the abundance of T. lineatum.
Sequential imputation for models with latent variables assuming latent ignorability
Authors: Beesley Lauren J. , Taylor Jeremy M. G. , Little Roderick J. A.
Published: July 2019

Models that involve an outcome variable, covariates, and latent variables are frequently the target for estimation and inference. The presence of missing covariate or outcome data presents a challenge, particularly when missingness depends on the latent variables. This missingness mechanism is called latent ignorable or latent missing at random and is a generalisation of missing at random. Several authors have previously proposed approaches for handling latent ignorable missingness, but these methods rely on prior specification of the joint distribution for the complete data. In practice, specifying the joint distribution can be difficult and/or restrictive. We develop a novel sequential imputation procedure for imputing covariate and outcome data for models with latent variables under latent ignorable missingness. The proposed method does not require a joint model; rather, we use results under a joint model to inform imputation with less restrictive modelling assumptions. We discuss identifiability and convergence‐related issues, and simulation results are presented in several modelling settings. The method is motivated and illustrated by a study of head and neck cancer recurrence. Imputing missing data for models with latent variables under latent‐dependent missingness without specifying a full joint model.
Climate regime shift detection with a trans‐dimensional, sequential Monte Carlo, variational Bayes method
Authors: McGrory Clare A. , Ahfock Daniel C. , Lemos Ricardo T.
Published: July 2019

We present an application study which exemplifies a cutting edge statistical approach for detecting climate regime shifts. The algorithm uses Bayesian computational techniques that make time‐efficient analysis of large volumes of climate data possible. Output includes probabilistic estimates of the number and duration of regimes, the number and probability distribution of hidden states, and the probability of a regime shift in any year of the time series. Analysis of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) index is provided as an example. Two states are detected: one is associated with positive values of the PDO and presents lower interannual variability, while the other corresponds to negative values of the PDO and greater variability. We compare this approach with existing alternatives from the literature and highlight the potential for ours to unlock features hidden in climate data.
RPE65 mutation frequency and phenotypic variation according to exome sequencing in a tertiary centre for genetic eye diseases in China
Authors: Li Shiqiang , Xiao Xueshan , Yi Zhen , Sun Wenmin , Wang Panfeng , Zhang Qingjiong
Published: July 2019

Purpose

Retinoid isomerohydrolase RPE65 has received a tremendous amount of attention due to successful clinical gene therapy for Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) cases caused by RPE65 mutations. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of RPE65 mutations and the associated phenotypes based on exome sequencing.

Methods

RPE65 variants were collected from exome sequencing data obtained from 2133 probands with different forms of hereditary retinal degeneration (HRD). Clinical data were collected from probands with homozygous or compound heterozygous variants in RPE65. Associated phenotypes were characterized based on clinical data.

Results

Biallelic RPE65 mutations were detected in 18 families, including eight with LCA, five with early‐onset retinal degeneration, four with fundus albipunctatus‐like (FA‐like) changes and one with high hyperopia. These cases accounted for approximately 3.0% (8/269) of LCA and 0.8% (18/2133) of HRD cases. An almost identical FA‐like change was identified in seven patients from four unrelated families with RPE65 mutations. Classification of mutations suggested that FA‐like changes may be associated with biallelic missense mutations in RPE65.

Conclusion

Fundus albipunctatus‐like (FA‐like) change, a common characteristic fundus sign in RPE65 biallelic mutations, was unexpected but was confirmed by the finding that affected siblings from different families exhibited similar phenotypes. These results enrich our understanding of RPE65 mutation frequencies and their associated phenotypic variants.
1 Why Neighborhoods? The Neighborhood in Archaeological Theory and Practice
Authors: Pacifico David , Truex Lise A.
Published: July 2019

This chapter introduces the central themes in this volume and articulates those themes with previous approaches. Neighborhoods in this volume are integrative socio‐spatial groups between the household and the settlement that are found in urbanizing landscapes. Previous theorizations of neighborhoods constrain them to specific populations or forms of sociality. Our cases show that the fundamental aspects of these theorizations (intermediate, distinct, cohesive, nested) can endure while population, morphology, and temporality vary. Neighborhood studies are presented as complementary to household, community, and urban/peri‐urban studies, while attention is drawn to the diversity of forms neighborhoods take and diversity of themes neighborhoods help scholars address.
8 Neighborhood as Nexus: A Trans‐historical Approach to Emplaced Communities
Authors: Pacifico David
Published: July 2019

Case studies from two distinct geographic and historical contexts are analyzed here with respect to the model of neighborhood‐as‐nexus. Sector B South, an urban neighborhood from 14th century Peru and Chicago's 20th century Bronzeville neighborhood are examined with respect to a) how they integrated neighbors and families with diverse social identities, b) the various geographical and historical processes that brought these neighbors together, and c) how each neighborhood was integrated into a wider urban and regional landscape. Sector B South and Bronzeville illustrate how wider processes alight in everyday life for urban residents. More generally, these cases provide an opportunity for exploring how a neighborhood approach can help bring clarity to the similarities and differences in the social experience of everyday life between two temporally and geographically distinct societies.
Impact of various culture conditions on ex vivo expansion of polyclonal T cells for adoptive immunotherapy
Authors: Ghaffari Sasan , Torabi‐Rahvar Monireh , Omidkhoda Azadeh , Ahmadbeigi Naser
Published: July 2019

Currently, adoptive immunotherapy is considered as one of the leading treatments in cancer. Successful adoptive immunotherapy depends on producing large numbers of desired T cells ex vivo for infusion. This requires an effective protocol for maximum functional T‐cell expansion while keeping the time and costs to a minimum. Current T‐cell expansion protocols are diverse in their methodology, and a universal protocol of expansion is wanting. Also, new findings regarding T‐cell biology, signaling, and activation have reshaped the strategies of T‐cell propagation over the years, introducing new ways to expand T cells. Here, we reviewed different conditions for blood‐derived polyclonal T‐cell expansion so as to elucidate the influential factors of T‐cell expansion and their efficacy.
The effects of dietary reduced mineral elements and coated cysteamine supplementation on bacterial diversity in the ileum of finishing pigs
Authors: Xu Kang , Bai Miao Miao , He Wei Guo , Liu Hong Nan , Duan Ye Hui , Li Tie Jun , Yin Yu Long
Published: July 2019

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different levels of dietary partial MEs and coated cysteamine (CC) supplementation on gut microbiota in finishing pigs. Results showed that whittling down dietary partial MEs (Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn) by 20% and 40% had little effect on the microbial diversity, community structure, and bacterial relative abundance in the ileum of finishing pigs. Supplementation with 1,600 mg/kg CC also had no obvious effect on the microbial diversity, community structure, and bacterial relative abundance in the finishing pig ileum when fed diets with a normal MEs level. However, the abundance of Peptostreptococcaceae, Pasteurella, and Pasteurella_aerogenes was higher, and the abundance of Actinobacillus_minor was lower in the 20% ME reduction diet treatment than that in the 20% ME reduction with 1,600 mg/kg CC diet group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggested that there is no obvious effect on gut microbiota when dietary partial MEs are reduced by 20% or 40%, which indicates the feasibility of reducing dietary partial MEs by 20% or 40% in finishing pigs. Supplementation with CC changed the relative abundance of some bacteria related to opportunistic pathogenicity in the finishing pig ileum when were fed a 20% ME reduction diet.
Hereditary spherocytosis is associated with decreased pyruvate kinase activity due to impaired structural integrity of the red blood cell membrane
Authors: Andres Oliver , Loewecke Felicia , Morbach Henner , Kraus Sabrina , Einsele Hermann , Eber Stefan , Speer Christian P.
Published: July 2019

Hereditary spherocytosis (HS) is characterised by increased osmotic fragility and enhanced membrane loss of red blood cells (RBC) due to defective membrane protein complexes. In our diagnostic laboratory, we observed that pyruvate kinase (PK) activity in HS was merely slightly elevated with respect to the amount of reticulocytosis. In order to evaluate whether impaired PK activity is a feature of HS, we retrospectively analysed laboratory data sets from 172 unrelated patients with HS, hereditary elliptocytosis (HE), glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) or PK deficiency, sickle cell or haemoglobin C disease, or β‐thalassaemia minor. Results from linear regression analysis provided proof that PK activity decreases with rising reticulocyte counts in HS (R2 = 0·15; slope = 9·09) and, less significantly, in HE (R2 = 0·021; slope = 8·92) when compared with other haemolytic disorders (R2 ≥ 0·65; slopes ≥ 78·6). Reticulocyte‐adjusted erythrocyte PK activity levels were significantly lower in HS and even declined with increasing reticulocytes (R2 = 0·48; slope = −9·74). In this report, we describe a novel association between HS and decreased PK activity that is apparently caused by loss of membrane‐bound PK due to impaired structural integrity of the RBC membrane and may aggravate severity of haemolysis in HS.
The experiences of adults with intellectual disability in the involvement of nursing care planning in health services
Authors: Doody Owen , Lyons Rosemary , Ryan Ruth
Published: July 2019

Accessible summary

Adults with intellectual disabilities and their families receiving services have plans for their care, education and social support.

This occurs through meetings and results in a “care plan” or “plan of support.”

There are differences in nursing, educational and social care plans.

At present, adults with intellectual disability have little involvement in nursing care planning.

Involving adults with intellectual disability in nursing care planning is important, and there is a need to share and publish this involvement.

Background

Adults with intellectual disability should be involved in decision‐making about their care. However, little is known regarding their experience of engaging in care planning within health services. In a rapidly changing healthcare environment, the relevance and necessity of demonstrating care delivered and care outcomes is essential for all professionals and this review highlights the need for intellectual/learning disability nurses to prioritise disseminating this evidence beyond the practice environment.

Materials and Methods

Integrative literature review informed by the approach of Whittemore and Knafl (2005). CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsyArticles, PsycInfo, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase and Academic Search Complete were searched for papers published between 01 January 2005 and 01 June 2017.

Results

No study met the inclusion criteria for nursing care planning. However, through examining the literature that made it to the full‐text review stage, two key aspects were identified: exploring the relevance and categories of plans, and disseminating evidence of practice.

Conclusion

This integrative review provides evidence that the experiences of adults with intellectual disability involvement in care planning within health services are absent within the literature. While guidance exists regarding involving adults with intellectual disability in planning their care, there is confusion, ambiguity and an interchangeable use of terms that makes it difficult to distinguish between nursing care plans, person‐centred plans, individual programme plan, individualised support plan, health action plans, personalised support plans and personalised plans.
The local impact of macrofauna and land‐use intensity on soil nutrient concentration and exchangeability in lowland tropical Peru
Authors: Dahlsjö Cecilia A. L. , Stiblik Petr , Jaklová Jana , Zídek Matěj , Wicman Huaycama Juan , Lojka Bohdan , Houška Jakub
Published: July 2019

Agricultural expansion is a major driver of deforestation which has negative consequences for biodiversity and habitat stability. While sustainable farming is known to be beneficial for biodiversity and crop resilience, little is known about the impact of macrofauna and land‐use intensity on soil quality. In this study, we examine the relative effects of (a) soil macrofauna and (b) land use (primary forest, agroforestry, and annual crop) on element depletion rates, concentration, and exchangeability in standardized soil. We used microcosms with two different mesh sizes, 0.25 mm and 5 mm, to exclude and include macrofauna, respectively. The microcosms were incubated for up to a year throughout which samples were collected without replacement. Macrofauna did not have a significant impact on any of the soil parameters which is likely to be due to the low diversity of termites in the sites. Land‐use intensity significantly affected cation depletion rates whose effects increased in order of primary forest<agroforestry<annual crop. At the end of the study, soil Mg+2 concentration and Ca/Mg ratio in the agroforestry site differed from other land‐use sites. Our results suggest that both bottom‐up and top‐down interactions have major effects on soil conditions, and the results should therefore be used to advise future research and policy around land‐use management.

Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Use of Ages and Stages Questionnaires™ (ASQ) in a Navajo population: Comparison with the U.S. normative dataset
Authors: Nozadi Sara S. , Li Li , Clifford Jantina , Du Ruofei , Murphy Kimberly , Chen Lu ,   Navajo Birth Cohort Study Team, Seanez Paula , Burnette Courtney , MacKenzie Debra , Lewis Johnnye L.
Published: July 2019

Background

The Ages and Stages Questionnaires‐Third Edition (ASQ‐3) is a parent‐completed screening to identify young children at‐risk for developmental delays in the United States and internationally. Federal programs operating on Navajo Nation use the ASQ‐3 to determine the need for early intervention services, even though the ASQ‐3 national sample used to establish cutoff scores for referral included only 1% Native American children.

Objectives

The current study aimed to compare the ASQ‐3 results from a sample of Navajo infants to those from a representative national U.S. sample and to examine the specificity and sensitivity of the ASQ‐3 in Navajo population.

Methods

The sample included 530 Navajo infants (47.3% males) aged between 1 and 13 months who lived in remote and rural areas across the Navajo Nation. Children's development was assessed during home visits at 2‐, 6‐, 9‐, and 12‐month assessment windows.

Results

Results showed that after 6 months, Navajo children had lower mean scores and higher percentages of children at‐risk for developmental delays than those from the national sample. The sensitivities and specificities, estimated using a Bayesian diagnostic approach under both conservative and nonconservative prior range choices, suggested a comparable validity performance to that from other ASQ‐3 studies.

Discussion

The results of this study along with our ongoing comprehensive assessments at 4 years of age inform current programs working with Navajo children to improve early identification of developmental delays.
Observed Profiles of Infant Temperament: Stability, Heritability, and Associations With Parenting
Authors: Planalp Elizabeth M. , Goldsmith H. Hill
Published: July 2019

Profiles of infant temperament were derived from 990 infants at 6 and 12 months of age using observed measures from the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires measuring parent affect and stress. Four profiles emerged at each age (typical, low negative, withdrawn/inhibited, and positive/active or low reactive) using latent profile analysis. Temperament profiles show some evidence of stability and heritability, particularly for thewithdrawn/inhibitedgroup. In addition, profiles relate to parent affect and stress in different ways for mothers and fathers. Results highlight the utility of a person‐centered approach to temperamental research and are discussed in relation to developmental patterns of infant temperament.
Field‐Aligned and Lattice‐Guided Tetrahedral Meshing
Authors: Ni Saifeng , Zhong Zichun , Huang Jin , Wang Wenping , Guo Xiaohu
Published: July 2019

We present a particle‐based approach to generate field‐aligned tetrahedral meshes, guided by cubic lattices, including BCC and FCC lattices. Given a volumetric domain with an input frame field and a user‐specified edge length for the cubic lattice, we optimize a set of particles to form the desired lattice pattern. A Gaussian Hole Kernel associated with each particle is constructed. Minimizing the sum of kernels of all particles encourages the particles to form a desired layout, e.g., field‐aligned BCC and FCC. The resulting set of particles can be connected to yield a high quality field‐aligned tetrahedral mesh. As demonstrated by experiments and comparisons, the field‐aligned and lattice‐guided approach can produce higher quality isotropic and anisotropic tetrahedral meshes than state‐of‐the‐art meshing methods.
Normal‐Based Bas‐Relief Modelling via Near‐Lighting Photometric Stereo
Authors: Wei M. , Song Z. , Nie Y. , Wu J. , Ji Z. , Guo Y. , Xie H. , Wang J. , Wang F. L.
Published: July 2019

We present a near‐lighting photometric stereo (NL‐PS) system to produce digital bas‐reliefs from a physical object (set) directly. Unlike both the 2D image and 3D model‐based modelling methods that require complicated interactions and transformations, the technique using NL‐PS is easy to use with cost‐effective hardware, providing users with a trade‐off between abstract and representation when creating bas‐reliefs. Our algorithm consists of two steps: normal map acquisition and constrained 3D reconstruction. First, we introduce a lighting model, named the quasi‐point lighting model (QPLM), and provide a two‐step calibration solution in our NL‐PS system to generate a dense normal map. Second, we filter the normal map into a detail layer and a structure layer, and formulate detail‐ or structure‐preserving bas‐relief modelling as a constrained surface reconstruction problem of solving a sparse linear system. The main contribution is a WYSIWYG (i.e. what you see is what you get) way of building new solvers that produces multi‐style bas‐reliefs with their geometric structures and/or details preserved. The performance of our approach is experimentally validated via comparisons with the state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Development of the Alberta facial clinical evaluation scale: A patient‐centred outcomes instrument for facial nerve paralysis
Authors: Hamour Amr F. , Mendez Adrian I. , Biron Vincent L. , Seemann Robert , Ansari Kal , Liu Richard , Seikaly Hadi , Côté David W. J.
Published: July 2019

Objectives

Facial nerve paralysis has functional, psychological and social consequences for patients. Traditionally, outcome measurements for facial nerve injuries have been clinician derived. Recent literature has shown that patient perspective is valuable and necessary in outcomes research. This study aimed to identify patient domains of concern and subsequently, develop a point‐of‐care questionnaire for clinical use.

Design

This mixed‐methods prospective study was completed in three phases. In Phase I, 15 facial nerve injury patients were interviewed individually. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed and coded with NVivo software. Analysis led to a conceptual framework detailing the most important quality of life outcomes. During Phase II, a focus group was held with five new patients in order to prioritise the outcome themes to a top six list. A second focus group was held with Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck staff surgeons to create a 25‐item questionnaire based on these six themes. In Phase III, the questionnaire was administered to 10 new patients to test for comprehension.

Setting

University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Participants

A total of 30 patients with facial nerve injury were included in the various phases in the study. In addition, 5 staff Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck surgeons participated as focus group contributors.

Main outcome measures

Domains of concern and quality of life outcomes as reported by facial nerve injury patients.

Results

Patients identified a total of 16 themes encompassing both functional and psychological deficits related to their facial nerve injury. From these findings, a 25‐item Likert‐type scale, the A‐FaCE scale, was developed for clinical use.

Conclusions

Patients with facial nerve paralysis experience functional and psychological deficits. This study led to the creation of the first patient‐reported instrument for this population that addresses functional impairment, social function, psychological well‐being and self‐perception of appearance.
Editorial: On the importance of studying animal behaviour—Or any other kind of “blue sky” research
Authors: Goymann Wolfgang
Published: July 2019

The necessity to do basic research, such as the study of animal behaviour, is often questioned. “What is this good for?” people may ask. Many discoveries of basic research lead to novel and practical applications that could not have been predicted in advance. In fact, every penny spent on basic research generates a multiple of economic value in return. This is the most common answer to justify “blue sky” research. However, basic research has a much more important and fundamental value relating to liberty, equality and human rights.
Base pair editing in goat: nonsense codon introgression into FGF5 results in longer hair
Authors: Li Guanwei , Zhou Shiwei , Li Chao , Cai Bei , Yu Honghao , Ma Baohua , Huang Yu , Ding Yige , Liu Yao , Ding Qiang , He Chong , Zhou Jiankui , Wang Ying , Zhou Guangxian , Li Yan , Yan Yuan , Hua Jinlian , Petersen Bjoern , Jiang Yu , Sonstegard Tad , Huang Xingxu , Chen Yulin , Wang Xiaolong
Published: July 2019

The ability to alter single bases without homology directed repair (HDR) of double‐strand breaks provides a potential solution for editing livestock genomes for economic traits, which are often multigenic. Progress toward multiplex editing in large animals has been hampered by the costly inefficiencies of HDR via microinjection of in vitro manipulated embryos. Here, we designed sgRNAs to induce nonsense codons (C‐to‐T transitions) at four target sites in caprine FGF5, which is a crucial regulator of hair length in mammals. Initial transfections of the third generation Base Editor (BE3) plasmid and four different sgRNAs into caprine fibroblasts were ineffective in altering FGF5. In contrast, all five progenies produced from microinjected single‐cell embryos had alleles with a targeted nonsense mutation. The effectiveness of BE3 to make single base changes varied considerably based on sgRNA design. In addition, the rate of mosaicism differed between animals, target sites, and tissue type. The phenotypic effects on hair fiber were characterized by hematoxylin and eosin, immunofluorescence staining, and western blotting. Differences in morphology were detectable, even though mosaicism was probably affecting the levels of FGF5 expression. PCR amplicon and whole‐genome resequencing analyses for off‐target changes caused by BE3 were low at a genome‐wide scale. This study provided the first evidence of base editing in large mammals produced from microinjected single‐cell embryos. Our results support further optimization of BEs for introgressing complex human disease alleles into large animal models, to evaluate potential genetic improvement of complex health and production traits in a single generation.
High ecosystem stability of evergreen broadleaf forests under severe droughts
Authors: Huang Kun , Xia Jianyang
Published: July 2019

Global increase in drought occurrences threatens the stability of terrestrial ecosystem functioning. Evergreen broadleaf forests (EBFs) keep leaves throughout the year, and therefore could experience higher drought risks than other biomes. However, the recent temporal variability of global vegetation productivity or land carbon sink is mainly driven by non‐evergreen ecosystems, such as semiarid grasslands, croplands, and boreal forests. Thus, we hypothesize that EBFs have higher stability than other biomes under the increasingly extreme droughts. Here we use long‐term Standardized Precipitation and Evaporation Index (SPEI) data and satellite‐derived Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) products to quantify the temporal stability (ratio of mean annual EVI to its SD), resistance (ability to maintain its original levels during droughts), and resilience (rate of EVI recovering to pre‐drought levels) at biome and global scales. We identified significantly increasing trends of annual drought severity (SPEI range: −0.08 to −1.80), area (areal fraction range: 2%–19%), and duration (month range: 7.9–9.1) in the EBF biome over 2000–2014. However, EBFs showed the highest resistance of EVI to droughts, but no significant differences in resilience of EVI to droughts were found among biomes (forests, grasslands, savannas, and shrublands). Global resistance and resilience of EVI to droughts were largely affected by temperature and solar radiation. These findings suggest that EBFs have higher stability than other biomes despite the greater drought exposure. Thus, the conservation of EBFs is critical for stabilizing global vegetation productivity and land carbon sink under more‐intense climate extremes in the future.
Changing trends in epidemiology and management of facial trauma in a Swiss geriatric population
Authors: Burkhard John Patrik Matthias , Pitteloud Caroline , Klukowska‐Rötzler Jolanta , Exadaktylos Aristomenis Konstantinos , Iizuka Tateyuki , Schaller Benoit
Published: July 2019

Objective

To assess the prevalence and surgical treatment of facial fractures in a Swiss population aged 65 and over.

Background

The knowledge of the characteristics of geriatric trauma may help to prevent injuries and better allocate clinical resources for the management of multimorbid patients.

Material and methods

This study retrospectively evaluated a cohort of 181 patients who presented at the Bern University Hospital in Switzerland from May 2012 to September 2016. Data on age, gender, aetiology and type of trauma, treatment and complications, co‐morbidities and associated injuries were obtained.

Results

Women were most frequently affected (55.2%). Mean age was 80 years. Zygomatic complex fractures were the most frequent type of fractures (37%), followed by isolated orbital fractures (27.6%). Falls were the most common cause of trauma (76.1%). Thirty‐five per cent of all patients were taking anticoagulation or platelet aggregation medication. Hospitalisation was required in 88.4%, whereby 92.3% of the patients underwent surgical treatment. Surgery had to be performed immediately in three cases to treat compression of the optic nerve. Median hospital length of stay was 4 days, with 68% of patients returning to a domestic environment and 32% being transferred to another institution for further treatment.

Conclusion

The most common cause of facial injuries is a fall while standing in a domestic environment. Midface fractures were the most common type of fractures.
Effectiveness of a simplified method for final impression in complete denture treatment: A pragmatic clinical trial
Authors: de Resende Gabriela P. , Nogueira Túlio E. , Leles Cláudio R.
Published: July 2019

Purpose

This study aimed to compare two methods for final impression during the fabrication of complete dentures: a traditional method using custom trays (T‐group) and a simplified method using the trial denture baseplate (S‐group).

Methods

A pragmatic clinical trial was conducted among edentulous individuals referred for conventional denture treatment. A consecutive sample of edentulous patients was assigned to two groups by cluster randomisation according to the final impression strategy, 30 in the T‐group and 38 in the S‐group. In the T‐group, an auto‐polymerising acrylic resin custom tray was used for impression; in the S‐group, the final impression was performed using the try‐in dentures. For both groups, zinc oxide eugenol paste was used as the impression material. The quality of the dentures was assessed using two rating scales (Functional Assessment of the Dentures and Kapur method). Moreover, clinical time for denture fabrication, number of post‐insertion appointments for adjustments, patient satisfaction and post‐treatment oral health‐related quality of life impacts were also assessed.

Results

There were no significant differences between groups regarding prosthodontic and patient‐reported outcomes. The S‐group demanded less clinical time (P = 0.002), with a 23.3% mean reduction in clinical time (P = 0.002) and lower number of appointments until the delivery of the dentures (S‐group = 4.18 vs T‐group = 5.0; P = 0.001).

Conclusions

This study showed that the alternative method for final impression is less time‐consuming and has similar clinical outcomes when compared to the traditional final impression method. Findings suggest that this alternative may be considered when efficiency is a critical issue in healthcare services.
Effectiveness of an oral function intervention for older Taiwanese people
Authors: Ting Chun‐Chan , Ko Edward Chengchuan , Chen Chih‐Chia , Chang Wen‐Yao , Tu Hsiao‐Pei , Chang Chin‐Shun
Published: July 2019

Objective

Oral function disorders occur often in older people with increasing age. Oral function disorders affect bodily function and self‐esteem, which are related to quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an oral function intervention programme on the oral function of older Taiwanese people.

Materials and Methods

A one‐group pretest‐post‐test study design was used. A total of 529 older Taiwanese people (women, 68.2%; men, 31.8%; average age, 75.07 ± 5.95 years) participated in this study. The oral function intervention programme consisted of a brief oral health education programme and oral function exercises. The total test period was 8 months. The oral condition and function examination comprised two questionnaires (self‐reported symptoms of oral function disturbance and the Geriatric/General Oral Health Assessment Index [GOHAI]) and three oral function assessments (Repetitive Saliva Swallowing Test [RSST], Oral Diadochokinesia Test [ODT] and Cheek Expanding Test [CET]).

Results

After the oral function intervention, the self‐reported symptoms on the oral function questionnaire and GOHAI showed significant improvement (P < 0.05). Additionally, RSST, ODT and CET showed differences between pretest and post‐test measurements (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The oral function intervention programme was effective in maintaining their feeding, swallowing and articulatory functions of older Taiwanese people. Significant improvements in self‐reported symptoms of oral function and GOHAI scores indicated that the oral function intervention programme might improve the QOL of older Taiwanese people.
Slow walking speed overlapped with low handgrip strength in chronic liver disease patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Nagamatsu Ayu , Kawaguchi Takumi , Hirota Keisuke , Koya Shunji , Tomita Manabu , Hashida Ryuki , Kida Yohei , Narao Hayato , Manako Yuta , Tanaka Daisuke , Koga Noboru , Nakano Dan , Niizeki Takashi , Matsuse Hiroo , Torimura Takuji , Shiba Naoto
Published: July 2019

Aim

Walking speed and grip strength are parameters of muscle function; however, evaluating walking speed is not always available in clinical practice. We aimed to investigate the impact of walking speed on the evaluation of muscle dysfunction in chronic liver disease (CLD) patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

We enrolled 107 consecutive CLD patients with HCC in this study (age 76 years [range 60–92 years]; female/male 39/68; body mass index 22.9 [range 20.0–25.3]; chronic hepatitis/liver cirrhosis 25/82). Muscle dysfunction was evaluated using the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia criteria (grip strength or walking speed) and the Japan Society of Hepatology criteria (grip strength). A correlation between walking speed and skeletal muscle index was evaluated. Independent factors for slow walking speed were evaluated using a logistic regression analysis.

Results

There was no significant correlation between walking speed and skeletal muscle index (r = 0.14, P = 0.16). For both the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia and Japan Society of Hepatology criteria, 33.6% of all patients were classified as having muscle dysfunction. All patients with slow walking speed (4.7% of all patients) also showed low handgrip strength. The logistic regression analysis identified grip strength as an independent factor for slow walking speed (OR 0.65; 95% CI 0.432–0.838; P = 0.008).

Conclusions

No difference was seen in the prevalence of muscle dysfunction between the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia and Japan Society of Hepatology criteria in CLD patients with HCC. Furthermore, all patients with slow walking speed also showed low handgrip strength. Thus, for the evaluation of muscle dysfunction, grip strength might be a suitable proxy for walking speed in CLD patients with HCC.
BAFF, IL‐4 and IL‐21 separably program germinal center‐like phenotype acquisition, BCL6 expression, proliferation and survival of CD40L‐activated B cells in vitro
Authors: Robinson Marcus J , Pitt Catherine , Brodie Erica J , Valk Anika M , O'Donnell Kristy , Nitschke Lars , Jones Sarah , Tarlinton David M
Published: July 2019

A B cell culture system using BAFF, IL‐4 and IL‐21 was recently developed that generates B cells with phenotypic and functional characteristics of in vivo‐generated germinal center (GC) B cells. Here, we observe discrete influences of each exogenous signal on the expansion and differentiation of a CD40L‐activated B cell pool. IL‐4 was expressly necessary, but neither BAFF nor IL‐21 was required for B cell acquisition of the GC B cell phenotypes of peanut agglutinin binding and loss of CD38 and IgD expression. Both IL‐4 and IL‐21 enhanced cell cycle entry upon initial activation dose‐dependently, and did so additively. Importantly, while both cytokines acted in concert to increase overall BCL6 expression amounts, IL‐21 exposure uniquely caused a small proportion of cells to attain a higher level of BCL6 expression, reminiscent of in vivo GC B cells. In contrast, BAFF supported survival of a fraction of memory‐like B cells in extended cultures after removal of surrogate T cell‐help signals. Thus, by separably programming proliferation, survival and GC phenotype acquisition, IL‐4, BAFF and IL‐21 drive distinct components of activated B cell fate.
Missed opportunities for HIV testing persist despite a single educational intervention: how can we close this evidence‐practice gap?
Authors: King Katherine , Seah Jarrel , Cheng Allen , Whiting Sarah , Hoy Jennifer
Published: July 2019

Background

In Australia, one‐third of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses occur late, with an estimated 11% of people with HIV unaware of their diagnosis. Undiagnosed and untreated HIV infection increases morbidity in the HIV positive person and allows onward transmission of HIV.

Aim

To determine the rate of HIV testing in acute general medicine patients with HIV indicator conditions (IC) and evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention in improving testing rates.

Methods

Single‐centre, tertiary hospital, before‐after study of general medicine inpatients with IC for 12 weeks prior and 10 weeks post an educational intervention focusing on recommendations for HIV testing including IC. The REASON Cohort Discovery Tool was used to search for the IC using ICD‐10 codes and laboratory data. The presence of IC was estimated, and HIV testing rates before and after the intervention were compared. Regression analysis was utilised to identify characteristics associated with HIV testing.

Results

Of 1414 admissions in the baseline period and 946 in the post‐period, 161 (11.4%) and 132 (14.0%) had at least one IC present respectively. There were 18 (11.2%) HIV tests performed for admissions with IC in the pre‐period which increased to 27 (20.5%) (P = 0.028) in the post‐period. Younger patients were more likely to be tested and regression analysis identified the educational intervention (adjusted odds ratio) 2.2 (1.1, 4.4) to be significantly associated with testing.

Conclusions

Although HIV testing rates for IC doubled following the intervention, they remained unacceptably low. The recently introduced electronic medical record presents opportunities to prompt HIV testing.
Correlates of current caregiving among siblings of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Lee Chung eun , Burke Meghan , Arnold Catherine K. , Owen Aleksa
Published: July 2019

Background

As individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) grow older, siblings are likely to become caregivers for their brothers and sisters with IDD. Thus, it is important to identify the correlates of sibling caregiving to facilitate transitions to caregiving roles.

Method

This study involved the secondary analysis of a national data set of 429 adult siblings of individuals with IDD.

Results

Current sibling caregiving was positively correlated with sibling relationship quality, sibling advocacy and future planning, maladaptive behaviours of individuals with IDD, and family size. Current sibling caregiving was negatively correlated with parent caregiving abilities and functional abilities of individuals with IDD. Further, among siblings who provided care, the level and nature of sibling caregiving were negatively correlated with parent caregiving abilities.

Conclusions

The results identify the correlates of current caregiving among siblings of individuals with IDD. More research is needed to understand current sibling caregiving.
Muscle wasting: A review of exercise, classical and non‐classical RAS axes
Authors: Winslow Mark A. , Hall Stephanie E.
Published: July 2019

This review identifies how the classical/non‐classical renin‐angiotensin system (RAS) and exercise influence muscle wasting. The classical RAS axis enhances muscle loss through the interaction with NADPH oxidase (NOX), ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS), protein synthesis and fibrosis pathways. The mainstream hypothesis identifies reactive oxygen species (ROS) as the key pathway in muscle, this review recognizes alternative pathways that lead to an increase in muscle wasting through the classical RAS axis. In addition, pathways in which the non‐classical RAS axis and exercise inhibit the classical RAS axis are also explored. The non‐classical RAS axis and exercise have a significant negative impact on ROS production and protein synthesis. The non‐classical RAS axis has been identified in this review to directly affect protein synthesis pathways not by altering the pre‐existing intracellular ROS level, further supporting the idea that muscle wasting caused by the classical RAS system is not entirely due to ROS production. Exercise has been identified to modify the RAS axes making it a therapeutic option.
Breathing life into climate change adaptation
Authors: Stadler Frank , Houghton Luke
Published: July 2019

The exploration of evolutionary biology and biological adaptation can inform society's adaptation to climate change, particularly the mechanisms that bring about adaptability, such as phenotypic plasticity, epigenetics, and horizontal gene transfer. Learning from unplanned autonomous biological adaptation may be considered undesirable and incompatible with human endeavor. However, it is argued that there is no need for agency, and planned adaptation is not necessarily preferable over autonomous adaptation. What matters is the efficacy of adaptive mechanisms and their capacity to increase societal resilience to current and future impacts. In addition, there is great scope for industrial ecology (IE) to contribute approaches to climate change adaptation that generate system models and baseline data to inform decision making. The problem of “uncertainty” was chosen as an example of a challenge that is shared by biological systems, IE, and climate change adaptation to show how biological adaptation might contribute solutions. Finally, the Coastal Climate Adaptation Decision Support tool was used to demonstrate how IE and biological adaptation approaches may be mainstreamed in climate change adaptation planning and practice. In conclusion, there is close conceptual alignment between evolutionary biology and IE. The integration of biological adaptation thinking can enrich IE, add new perspectives to climate change adaptation science, and support IE's engagement with climate change adaptation. There should be no major obstacles regarding the collaboration of industrial ecologists with the climate change adaptation community, but mainstreaming of biological adaptation solutions depends greatly on successful knowledge transfer and the engagement of open‐minded and informed adaptation stakeholders.
Seasonal decrease in thermogenesis and increase in vasoconstriction explain seasonal response to N6‐cyclohexyladenosine‐induced hibernation in the Arctic ground squirrel (Urocitellus parryii)
Authors: Frare Carla , Jenkins Mackenzie E. , McClure Kelsey M. , Drew Kelly L.
Published: July 2019

Hibernation is a seasonal phenomenon characterized by a drop in metabolic rate and body temperature. Adenosine A1 receptor agonists promote hibernation in different mammalian species, and the understanding of the mechanism inducing hibernation will inform clinical strategies to manipulate metabolic demand that are fundamental to conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and therapeutic hypothermia. Adenosine A1 receptor agonist‐induced hibernation in Arctic ground squirrels is regulated by an endogenous circannual (seasonal) rhythm. This study aims to identify the neuronal mechanism underlying the seasonal difference in response to the adenosine A1 receptor agonist. Arctic ground squirrels were implanted with body temperature transmitters and housed at constant ambient temperature (2°C) and light cycle (4L:20D). We administered CHA (N6‐cyclohexyladenosine), an adenosine A1 receptor agonist in euthermic‐summer phenotype and euthermic‐winter phenotype and used cFos and phenotypic immunoreactivity to identify cell groups affected by season and treatment. We observed lower core and subcutaneous temperature in winter animals and CHA produced a hibernation‐like response in winter, but not in summer. cFos‐ir was greater in the median preoptic nucleus and the raphe pallidus in summer after CHA. CHA administration also resulted in enhanced cFos‐ir in the nucleus tractus solitarius and decreased cFos‐ir in the tuberomammillary nucleus in both seasons. In winter, cFos‐ir was greater in the supraoptic nucleus and lower in the raphe pallidus than in summer. The seasonal decrease in the thermogenic response to CHA and the seasonal increase in vasoconstriction, assessed by subcutaneous temperature, reflect the endogenous seasonal modulation of the thermoregulatory systems necessary for CHA‐induced hibernation.

Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14528.

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