bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The weight of islands: Leveraging Grenada's material stocks to adapt to climate change
Authors: Symmes Rob , Fishman Tomer , Telesford John N. , Singh Simron J. , Tan Su‐Yin , De Kroon Kristen
Published: April 2019

The building stock consumes large amounts of resources for maintenance and expansion which is only exacerbated by disaster events where large‐scale reconstruction must occur quickly. Recent research has shown the potential for application of material stock (MS) accounts for informing disaster risk planning. In this research, we present a methodological approach to analyze the vulnerability of the material stock in buildings to extreme weather events and sea‐level rise (SLR) due to climate change. The main island of Grenada, a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the Caribbean region, was used as a case study. A bottom‐up approach based on a geographic information system (GIS) is used to calculate the total MS of aggregate, timber, concrete, and steel in buildings. The total MS in buildings in 2014 was calculated to be 11.9 million tonnes (Mt), which is equivalent to 112 tonnes per capita. Material gross addition to stock (GAS) between 1993 to 2009 was 6.8 Mt and the average value over the time period was 4.0 tonnes per capita per year. In the year following Hurricane Ivan (2004), the per capita GAS for timber increased by 172%, while for other metals, GAS spiked by 103% (compared to average growth rates of 11% and 8%, respectively, between 1993 and 2009). We also ran a future “Ivan‐II” scenario and estimated a hypothetical loss of between 135 and 216 kilotonnes (kt) of timber from the building stock. The potential impact of SLR is also assessed, with an estimated 1.6 Mt of building material stock exposed under a 2‐m scenario. We argue that spatial material stock accounts have an important application in planning for resilience and provide indication of the link between natural disaster recovery and resource use patterns.
Serum neurofilament light chain in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: van Lieverloo Gwen G. A. , Wieske Luuk , Verhamme Camiel , Vrancken Alexander F. J. , van Doorn Pieter A. , Michalak Zuzanna , Barro Christian , van Schaik Ivo N. , Kuhle Jens , Eftimov Filip
Published: April 2019

Axonal damage in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is the main predictor of poor outcome. We hypothesized that serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) reflects disease activity by detecting ongoing neuro‐axonal damage in CIDP. Three prospective cohorts of CIDP patients were studied: (a) patients starting induction treatment (IT cohort, N = 29) measured at baseline and 6 months after starting treatment; (b) patients on maintenance treatment (MT) starting intravenous immunoglobuline (IVIg) withdrawal (MT cohort, N = 24) measured at baseline and 6 months after IVIg withdrawal or at time of relapse; and (c) patients in long‐term remission without treatment (N = 27). A single molecule array assay was used to measure sNfL. Age‐matched healthy controls (N = 30) and age‐specific reference values were used for comparison. At baseline, sNfL was higher in patients starting IT compared to healthy controls. Ten out of 29 IT (34%) patients have sNfL levels above the 95th percentile of age‐specific cut‐off values. In the MT and remission cohort, elevated sNfL levels were infrequent and not different from healthy controls. sNfL levels were correlated with electrophysiological markers of axonal damage. At follow‐up assessment, patients with active disease (non‐responders and patients who relapsed after IVIg withdrawal) had higher sNfL levels compared with patients with stable disease (responders and patients who were successfully withdrawn from IVIg treatment). sNfL levels were increased in a third of CIDP patients starting IT and reflected axonal damage. sNfL levels might be usable as biomarker of disease activity in a subset of CIDP patients.
Cardiovascular profile and biophysical profile scores predict short‐term prognosis in infants with congenital heart defect
Authors: Miyoshi Takekazu , Katsuragi Shinji , Neki Reiko , Kurosaki Ken‐ichi , Shiraishi Isao , Nakai Michikazu , Nishimura Kunihiro , Yoshimatsu Jun , Ikeda Tomoaki
Published: April 2019

Aim

To predict the prognosis of infants with congenital heart disease, accurate prenatal diagnosis of structural abnormality and heart failure are both necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cardiovascular profile (CVP) and biophysical profile (BP) scores are useful for predicting prognosis in infants with congenital heart defect (CHD).

Methods

A retrospective review of singletons prenatally diagnosed with CHD at a tertiary pediatric cardiac center between 2011 and 2015 was undertaken.

Results

A total of 202 patients with CHD were analyzed. Perinatal and infant deaths occurred in 16 (7.9%) and 10 cases (5.0%), respectively. Infants with the last CVP score ≤ 5 had 18.7‐fold higher perinatal mortality than those with a last CVP score > 5 (P < 0.01). Infants with a last BP score ≤ 6 had 18.7‐fold higher perinatal mortality than those with a last BP score > 6 (P < 0.01). Infants with a CVP score decrease in utero had 4.5‐fold higher infant mortality than those with an increase or no change (P < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that single‐ventricle physiology, pre‐term birth at <37 weeks of gestation, last CVP score ≤ 5, and last BP score ≤ 6 were independent predictors of perinatal mortality. Single‐ventricle physiology and a CVP score decrease were independent predictors of infant mortality.

Conclusion

CVP and BP scores are useful for predicting perinatal prognosis in infants with CHD. A CVP score decrease in utero is associated with infant mortality, suggesting that serial CVP score assessment may be useful for management planning.
Digital Irreligion: Christian Deconversion in an Online Community
Authors: Starr Chelsea , Waldo Kristin , Kauffman Matthew
Published: April 2019

What is the role of the Internet in a possible trend toward secularization in the United States? This case study seeks to elucidate the process of online deconversion by examining religious exit narratives (called “extimonies” by participants) as posted in a forum for ex‐Christians from 2005 to 2017. Echoing Mauss and Ebaugh, deconverts on the site went through a role exit involving a three‐part, but intertwined, intellectual, emotional, and social process. The online community provided an interactional space for them to construct and practice new secular identities, to explore doubts and process emotions arising from the deconversion process, and to prepare themselves for offline interactions with believers. This case study also suggests that the Internet and online communities may provide spaces for the highly religiously committed to explore deconversion and role alternatives.
Scalable inference for space‐time Gaussian Cox processes
Authors: Shirota Shinichiro , Banerjee Sudipto
Published: April 2019

The log‐Gaussian Cox process is a flexible and popular stochastic process for modeling point patterns exhibiting spatial and space‐time dependence. Model fitting requires approximation of stochastic integrals which is implemented through discretization over the domain of interest. With fine scale discretization, inference based on Markov chain Monte Carlo is computationally burdensome because of the cost of matrix decompositions and storage, such as the Cholesky, for high dimensional covariance matrices associated with latent Gaussian variables. This article addresses these computational bottlenecks by combining two recent developments: (i) a data augmentation strategy that has been proposed for space‐time Gaussian Cox processes that is based on exact Bayesian inference and does not require fine grid approximations for infinite dimensional integrals, and (ii) a recently developed family of sparsity‐inducing Gaussian processes, called nearest‐neighbor Gaussian processes, to avoid expensive matrix computations. Our inference is delivered within the fully model‐based Bayesian paradigm and does not sacrifice the richness of traditional log‐Gaussian Cox processes. We apply our method to crime event data in San Francisco and investigate the recovery of the intensity surface.
Spatio‐temporal models for big multinomial data using the conditional multivariate logit‐beta distribution
Authors: Bradley Jonathan R. , Wikle Christopher K. , Holan Scott H.
Published: April 2019

We introduce a Bayesian approach for analyzing high‐dimensional multinomial data that are referenced over space and time. In particular, the proportions associated with multinomial data are assumed to have a logit link to a latent spatio‐temporal mixed effects model. This strategy allows for covariances that are nonstationarity in both space and time, asymmetric, and parsimonious. We also introduce the use of the conditional multivariate logit‐beta distribution into the dependent multinomial data setting, which leads to conjugate full‐conditional distributions for use in a collapsed Gibbs sampler. We refer to this model as the multinomial spatio‐temporal mixed effects model (MN‐STM). Additionally, we provide methodological developments including: the derivation of the associated full‐conditional distributions, a relationship with a latent Gaussian process model, and the stability of the non‐stationary vector autoregressive model. We illustrate the MN‐STM through simulations and through a demonstration with public‐use quarterly workforce indicators data from the longitudinal employer household dynamics program of the US Census Bureau.
Intraspecific trait variation, functional turnover and trait differences among native and exotic grasses along a precipitation gradient
Authors: Sandel Brody , Low Rebecca
Published: April 2019

Questions

California's grasslands are heavily invaded by exotic species. Counteracting these invasions depends on understanding the functional differences between native and exotic species and how these shift along environmental gradients. Focusing on grasses, we ask: (a) how native and exotic trait means and intraspecific trait variation (ITV) differ; (b) how the functional composition of grass assemblages shifts with precipitation; and (c) how species shift their functional strategies as precipitation changes.

Location

Marin County, California (USA).

Methods

In spring 2017, we censused grassland vegetation plots across eight reserves in Marin County that are arrayed along a precipitation gradient. At each plot, we measured traits of grasses, including height, leaf area and specific leaf area (SLA).

Results

We found modest differences in functional traits between native and exotic species. Exotic species had larger seeds and higher SLAs, indicating higher reproductive investments and a leaf strategy focused on obtaining rapid returns on investments with relatively short leaf life spans. Native and exotic species did not differ in the ITV for any of the measured traits. Variation in precipitation among sites drove strong turnover in the functional trait composition of grasses, as well as shifts within species. Wetter sites had shorter species with smaller leaf areas, smaller seeds and higher leaf N concentrations. There was also strong intraspecific SLA variation along the precipitation gradient; all species displayed lower SLA values as precipitation increased.

Conclusions

Consistent with previous results, native species had more conservative leaf strategies. Grasses that display these conservative strategies tend to be more abundant in dry climates, leading to increasing exotic abundance in wetter climates. However, each species shifted towards more conservative strategies as precipitation increased, suggesting that the factors that drive species turnover and ITV differ.
Accuracy of imaging methods for steatohepatitis diagnosis in non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease patients: A systematic review
Authors: Besutti Giulia , Valenti Luca , Ligabue Guido , Bassi Maria Chiara , Pattacini Pierpaolo , Guaraldi Giovanni , Giorgi Rossi Paolo
Published: April 2019

Background & Aims

Non‐invasive tests to diagnose non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are urgently needed. This systematic review aims to evaluate imaging accuracy in diagnosing NASH among non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, using liver biopsy as reference.

Methods

Eligible studies were systematic reviews and cross‐sectional/cohort studies of NAFLD patients comparing imaging with histology, considering accuracy and/or associations. MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to April 2018. Studies were screened on title/abstract, then assessed for eligibility on full‐text. Data were extracted using a predesigned form. Risk of bias was assessed using Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies‐2 tool.

Results

Of the 641 studies screened, 61 were included in scoping review, 30 of which (with accuracy results) in data synthesis. Imaging techniques included: elastography (transient elastography‐TE, acoustic radiation force impulse‐ARFI, magnetic resonance elastography‐MRE), ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance (MR), computed tomography and scintigraphy. Histological NASH definition was heterogeneous. In 28/30 studies, no prespecified threshold was used (high risk of bias). AUROCs were up to 0.82 for TE, 0.90 for ARFI, 0.93 for MRE and 0.82 for US scores. MR techniques with higher accuracy were spectroscopy (AUROC = 1 for alanine), susceptibility‐weighted imaging (AUROC = 0.91), multiparametric MR (AUROC = 0.80), optical analysis (AUROC = 0.83), gadoxetic acid‐enhanced MR (AUROCs = 0.85) and superparamagnetic iron oxide‐enhanced MR (AUROC = 0.87). Results derived mostly from single studies without independent prospective validation.

Conclusions

There is currently insufficient evidence to support the use of imaging to diagnose NASH. More studies are needed on US and MR elastography and non‐elastographic techniques, to date the most promising methods.
Review: Peering through a keyhole: liquid biopsy in primary and metastatic central nervous system tumours
Authors: Bertero L. , Siravegna G. , Rudà R. , Soffietti R. , Bardelli A. , Cassoni P.
Published: April 2019

Tumour molecular profiling by liquid biopsy is being investigated for a wide range of research and clinical purposes. The possibility of repeatedly interrogating the tumour profile using minimally invasive procedures is helping to understand spatial and temporal tumour heterogeneity, and to shed a light on mechanisms of resistance to targeted therapies. Moreover, this approach has been already implemented in clinical practice to address specific decisions regarding patients’ follow‐up and therapeutic management. For central nervous system (CNS) tumours, molecular profiling is particularly relevant for the proper characterization of primary neoplasms, while CNS metastases can significantly diverge from primary disease or extra‐CNS metastases, thus compelling a dedicated assessment. Based on these considerations, effective liquid biopsy tools for CNS tumours are highly warranted and a significant amount of data have been accrued over the last few years. These results have shown that liquid biopsy can provide clinically meaningful information about both primary and metastatic CNS tumours, but specific considerations must be taken into account, for example, when choosing the source of liquid biopsy. Nevertheless, this approach is especially attractive for CNS tumours, as repeated tumour sampling is not feasible. The aim of our review was to thoroughly report the state‐of‐the‐art regarding the opportunities and challenges posed by liquid biopsy in both primary and secondary CNS tumours.
Botulinum toxin for the treatment of hypercontractile esophagus: Results of a double‐blind randomized sham‐controlled study
Authors: Mion François , Marjoux Sophie , Subtil Fabien , Pioche Mathieu , Rivory Jerome , Roman Sabine , Zerbib Frank
Published: April 2019

Introduction

Botulinum toxin injection is known to be efficient to treat achalasia. We conducted a randomized trial in order to evaluate its efficacy to treat symptomatic hypercontractile esophageal disorders as characterized by esophageal high‐resolution manometry.

Methods

Patients with significant dysphagia and/or thoracic pain related to an hypercontractile esophageal motility disorder as defined by the Chicago Classification were randomized to receive an injection of botulinum toxin (100 U in 10 points in the distal part of the esophageal wall) or a sham procedure. Symptoms were assessed at 3 months with the Eckardt score. Patients could receive a first or second botulinum toxin injection 1 month later if symptoms persisted.

Results

Twenty‐three patients (13 women, mean age 60 years) were included: 13 received botulinum toxin injection, and 10 a sham procedure. The improvement of symptoms at 3 months was significant compared to baseline, but similar in the active treatment and sham procedure arms. However, there was no change in quality of life scores. Seventeen patients received a second injection at 4 months. There was a significant trend toward improvement of symptoms up to the end of follow‐up at 12 months, without a significant relationship with the administration of botulinum toxin.

Discussion

Botulinum toxin injection is not superior to a sham procedure to improve symptoms related to hypercontractile esophageal disorders, suggesting an important placebo effect in for this type of disease. This observation must be taken into account when evaluating more aggressive therapies such as endoscopic myotomy (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01955174).
Global benchmarking of children's exposure to television advertising of unhealthy foods and beverages across 22 countries
Authors: Kelly Bridget , Vandevijvere Stefanie , Ng SeeHoe , Adams Jean , Allemandi Lorena , Bahena‐Espina Liliana , Barquera Simon , Boyland Emma , Calleja Paul , Carmona‐Garcés Isabel Cristina , Castronuovo Luciana , Cauchi Daniel , Correa Teresa , Corvalán Camila , Cosenza‐Quintana Emma Lucia , Fernández‐Escobar Carlos , González‐Zapata Laura I. , Halford Jason , Jaichuen Nongnuch , Jensen Melissa L. , Karupaiah Tilakavati , Kaur Asha , Kroker‐Lobos María F. , Mchiza Zandile , Miklavec Krista , Parker Whadi‐ah , Potvin Kent Monique , Pravst Igor , Ramírez‐Zea Manuel , Reiff Sascha , Reyes Marcela , Royo‐Bordonada Miguel Ángel , Rueangsom Putthipanya , Scarborough Peter , Tiscornia Maria Victoria , Tolentino‐Mayo Lizbeth , Wate Jillian , White Martin , Zamora‐Corrales Irina , Zeng Lingxia , Swinburn Boyd
Published: April 2019

Restricting children's exposures to marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages is a global obesity prevention priority. Monitoring marketing exposures supports informed policymaking. This study presents a global overview of children's television advertising exposure to healthy and unhealthy products. Twenty‐two countries contributed data, captured between 2008 and 2017. Advertisements were coded for the nature of foods and beverages, using the 2015 World Health Organization (WHO) Europe Nutrient Profile Model (should be permitted/not‐permitted to be advertised). Peak viewing times were defined as the top five hour timeslots for children. On average, there were four times more advertisements for foods/beverages that should not be permitted than for permitted foods/beverages. The frequency of food/beverages advertisements that should not be permitted per hour was higher during peak viewing times compared with other times (P < 0.001). During peak viewing times, food and beverage advertisements that should not be permitted were higher in countries with industry self‐regulatory programmes for responsible advertising compared with countries with no policies. Globally, children are exposed to a large volume of television advertisements for unhealthy foods and beverages, despite the implementation of food industry programmes. Governments should enact regulation to protect children from television advertising of unhealthy products that undermine their health.
Twisting Steel Wires with a Drill: A New Surgical Technique
Authors: Fan Meng‐qiang , Hua Jiang , Huang Jie‐feng
Published: April 2019

Stainless steel wires are often used to fix specific types of fractures in orthopaedic surgery using pliers. This article aims to introduce a new technique to twist steel wires by using an electric drill. The steps before twisting the wire are the same as usual. Our technique is as follows. First, tighten the two ends of wire by using pliers, then insert both the ends of wires into the drill and hold in place. Second, set the drill to reverse mode. Third, start turning the drill, then the two wires begin to intertwine and tighten. It is important to stop turning before the wire (the twisted part) begins to bend. Finally, cut the twisted part of wire in place, and bend the wire stump. This technique can achieve a better appearance while saving the strength of surgeons. It has the same clinical effect as the traditional method. This technique provides a new method for surgery and wide clinical application.
Determination of risk factors affecting mortality in patients with gastrointestinal perforation after pediatric liver transplantation
Authors: Barut Bora , Akbulut Sami , Kutluturk Koray , Koc Cemalettin , Ozgor Dincer , Aydin Cemalettin , Selimoglu Ayse , Yilmaz Sezai
Published: April 2019

Gastrointestinal perforation (GIP) is one of the most serious complications occurring after liver transplantation (LT), especially in pediatric patients. This study aimed to determine the risk factors affecting mortality in pediatric patients with GIP after LT. GIP developed in 37 (10%) of 370 pediatric patients who underwent LT at our institute. Patients were divided into two groups: alive (n = 22) or dead (n = 15), and both groups were compared in terms of demographic and clinical parameters using univariate analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in either demographic or clinical parameters, except for perforation site (P = 0.001) and median follow‐up (P = 0.001). Stomas arose in 17 (45.9%) patients: 76% of patients with stomas and 45% of those without survived (P = 0.052). Kaplan‐Meier analysis indicated that patients with stomas had a significantly higher overall survival (P = 0.029) and that patients with duodenal and colonic perforation had a significantly lower overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed that re‐perforation was an independent risk factor for mortality (P = 0.035; OR: 17.674; 95% CI for OR: 1.233‐253.32). Although there are many options for management of GIP, including primary repair, resection plus anastomosis, and resection plus end or loop ostomy, gastrointestinal diversion is still the best option.
Feasibility of extracorporeal photopheresis in pediatric patients with graft‐versus‐host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Winther‐Jørgensen Signe , Nygaard Marietta , Heilmann Carsten , Ifversen Marianne , Sørensen Kaspar , Müller Klaus , Masmas Tania
Published: April 2019

Graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) is a main cause of morbidity and mortality following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The cumulative incidence of acute and chronic GVHD (aGVHD, cGVHD) reaches 30%‐50% and 20% in pediatric populations, respectively. Prednisolone and/or calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) are first‐line treatments, but no superior second‐line treatment has yet been established. Several treatments have been suggested, among others extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP). Technical advances have made treatment of pediatric patients possible; however, only few reports on the feasibility of ECP in children have been published. We retrospectively studied the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of ECP in 15 children with steroid‐dependent/refractory acute or chronic GVHD, who initiated ECP treatment between April 2014 and January 2018. Only few and mild side effects directly related to the ECP procedure were registered, even in patients with low body weight. The most frequent cause of shortened or canceled ECP treatment was difficulties with vascular accesses, which were more rarely seen using central venous catheters with larger lumens and made of stiffer material. Nine patients had grade II‐III aGVHD. Six of these experienced a response to ECP at day 28, while eight of nine had responded at the last ECP treatment. Six patients had cGVHD when ECP was initiated, and of these, four had a partial response at last ECP treatment. We found ECP to be a feasible and safe treatment, and particularly, children with aGVHD appeared to respond well to ECP.
Tripartheid: How Sectarianism Became Internal to Being in Anbar, Iraq
Authors: Rubaii Kali J.
Published: April 2019

How do aspects of identities previously marginal to everyday life become crystallized as the basis for sorting out who lives, who dies, and the degree to which diverse coexistence is possible or even desirable? As a result of divide‐and‐rule policies introduced by the United States after 2003, Iraq saw rapid segmentation of its population into three geographic parts: a Sunni west, a Shi'a south, and a Kurdish north. Ethnographic fieldwork with families in and from Anbar demonstrates how sectarian identities were crystalized in the vision of the global war on terror, as certain places and the people from there were tagged with political meaning. In spite of historical oppression of minorities and Shi'a, it was not until the forced repetition of particular policies that the political categorization of people by sect became a social fact among Sunni communities in Anbar Province. Thus, difference became internal to being in subtle ways that demonstrate a more complex picture of what sectarianism actually means in Iraq and beyond.
Abscisic acid mediation of drought priming‐enhanced heat tolerance in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhang Xiaxiang , Wang Xiuyun , Zhuang Lili , Gao Yanli , Huang Bingru
Published: April 2019

Abscisic acid (ABA) may play roles in mediating cross stress tolerance in plants. The objectives of this study were to investigate the priming effects of drought and ABA on heat tolerance and to determine how ABA may be involved in enhanced heat tolerance by drought. Focusing on the transcriptional level, two independent experiments were conducted, using a perennial grass species, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and Arabidopsis. In experiment 1, tall fescue plants were exposed to mild drought by withholding irrigation for 8 days (drought priming) and foliar sprayed with ABA or an ABA‐synthesis inhibitor (fluridone). After that they were subsequently subjected to heat stress (38/33°C day/night) for 25 days in growth chambers. In experiment 2, Arabidopsis Columbia ecotype (wild‐type) and ABA‐deficient mutant (aba3‐1, CS157) were pre‐treated with drought priming and then exposed to heat stress (45/40°C) for 3 days. The physiological analysis demonstrated that both drought priming and foliar application of ABA‐enhanced heat tolerance in tall fescue, while drought priming had no significant effects on heat tolerance in ABA‐deficient Arabidopsis plants. Application of fluridone to tall fescue and ABA‐deficient mutants of Arabidopsis exhibited diminished or attenuated positive effects of drought priming on heat tolerance. ABA mediation of acquired heat tolerance by drought priming was associated with the upregulation of CDPK3, MPK3, DREB2A, AREB3, MYB2, MYC4, HsfA2, HSP18, and HSP70. Our study revealed the roles of ABA in drought priming‐enhanced heat tolerance, which may involve transcriptional regulation for stress signaling, ABA responses and heat protection.
Clinical approach to prostatic diseases in the dog
Authors: Cunto Marco , Mariani Elisa , Anicito Guido Eleonora , Ballotta Giulia , Zambelli Daniele
Published: April 2019

Contents

In small animal practice, prostatic diseases are increasingly encountered. All dogs may experience prostatic disease, but particular care should be addressed to breeding dogs, in which prostatic affection may lead to decrease in semen quality and fertility. The most common prostatic disease is the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) followed by prostatitis, prostatic neoplasia and prostate squamous metaplasia. These diseases do not have pathognomonic symptoms, therefore, making a correct diagnosis may not be easy. An accurate clinical examination and a correct diagnostic protocol are essential in order to begin the most appropriate treatment, and also to do a good prophylaxis where it is possible. BPH therapy is usually recommended when mild‐severe signs are present or if symptoms disturb the patient. New therapeutic approaches, both medical and surgical, allow to maintain fertility in most animals with prostatic disorders. Prostate cancer is relatively infrequent. Elective therapy is the surgical one, but it is considered palliative and can result in important post‐operative complications. The aim of this paper is to lay down the most appropriate diagnostic process describing the aetiologies of prostatic disease, their symptoms, the right investigative tools and therapy.
Repeated pregnant mare serum gonadotropin‐mediated oestrous synchronization alters gene expression in the ovaries and reduces reproductive performance in dairy goats
Authors: Sun Shuang , Liu Shimin , Luo Jun , Chen Zhi , Li Cong , Loor Juan J. , Cao Yanhong
Published: April 2019

Contents

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of repeated pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) treatment for oestrous synchronization (ES) on ovarian gene expression and reproductive parameters in Xinong Saanen dairy goats, the dominant breed of dairy goat in China. The experiment was carried out at the Research Station of Northwest A&F University (NWAFU), China (34°16′N, 108°4′E). Forty‐one does were randomly assigned to groups receiving ES treatments thrice every fortnight (3‐PMSG group; n = 19), or ES treatment only once simultaneously with the third ES treatment in the 3‐PMSG group (1‐PMSG group; n = 22) during middle of the breeding season from late July (14 hr light) until late September (12 hr light). ES treatment was performed via intravaginal insertion of a controlled internal drug release (CIDR) device impregnated with 300 mg progesterone (P4), followed by 300 IU PMSG injections 48 hr before CIDR withdrawal. Oestrus was monitored using vasectomized bucks. Ovaries of three goats in oestrus from both groups were harvested for morphological examination and RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq). Then, all the oestrous goats in the 1‐PMSG (n = 21) and 3‐PMSG (n = 11) groups were artificially inseminated twice. The 3‐PMSG group showed reduced oestrous rate (57.89%), pregnancy rate (31.58%) and litter size (1.17) compared, respectively, with 95.45%, 68.18% and 1.67 for 1‐PMSG group (p < 0.05). However, no differences were found in the ovarian morphology between the 1‐PMSG and 3‐PMSG groups (p > 0.05). RNA‐Seq revealed 114 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the ovaries of the 3‐PMSG group, among which GCG, FSTL3, TET3 and AQP3 were deemed novel and promising candidate genes for regulating fertility. The present study indicates that the three‐time PMSG treatment dysregulated several ovarian genes, thereby reducing reproductive performance.
Adjustive ecological restoration through stakeholder involvement: a case of riparian landscape restoration on privately owned land with public access
Authors: Gamborg Christian , Morsing Jonas , Raulund‐Rasmussen Karsten
Published: April 2019

Ecological restoration involves a dual uncertainty or disagreement, one connected to changes in the environment and in human expertises, and another related to changes in views of acceptability over time and underlying value disagreements. While the former often is attended to under the notion of adaptive management, the latter is less often considered. The aim of this article is to investigate how a continuous involvement process can facilitate adjustments of ecological restoration, taking into account the values of all parties involved. Using a combination of a survey distributed to stakeholders in the involvement process and content analysis of the minutes from the series of meetings of the involvement process, the concerns and views of stakeholders, and the kinds of adjustment, which took place, were identified. Stakeholders were generally positive about being involved but expressed various concerns about the restoration approach itself, especially the open‐endedness, and about specific interventions. Three types of adjustment were identified: (1) project managers adjusted activities based on stakeholders' raised concerns and values; (2) stakeholders modified views in response to project managers as the restoration project proceeded; and (3) shifts in views took place within the stakeholder group based on exchanges with other stakeholders involved in the project. Mutual benefits and a higher level of mutual understanding were reached through the approach we call “adjustive ecological restoration.” This approach depends on the ability to work with stakeholders, willingness to adjust, high levels of trust, and the leveling of expectations at the beginning of the process.
Spatially balanced sampling and ground‐level imagery for vegetation monitoring on reclaimed well pads
Authors: Curran Michael F. , Cox Samuel E. , Robinson Timothy J. , Robertson Blair L. , Rogers Karen J. , Sherman Zoe A. , Adams Todd A. , Strom Calvin F. , Stahl Peter D.
Published: April 2019

Land reclamation associated with natural gas development has become increasingly important to mitigate land surface disturbance in western North America. Since well pads occur on sites with multiple land use and ownership, the progress and outcomes of these efforts are of interest to multiple stakeholders including industry, practitioners and consultants, regulatory agents, private landowners, and the scientific community. Reclamation success criteria often vary within, and among, government agencies and across land ownership type. Typically, reclamation success of a well pad is judged by comparing vegetation cover from a single transect on the pad to a single transect in an adjacent reference site and data are collected by a large number of technicians with various field monitoring skills. We utilized “SamplePoint” image analysis software and a spatially balanced sampling design, called balanced acceptance sampling, to demonstrate how spatially explicit quantitative data can be used to determine if sites are meeting various reclamation success criteria and used chi‐square tests to show how sites in vegetation percent cover differ from a statistical standpoint. This method collects field data faster than traditional methods. We demonstrate how quantitative and spatially explicit data can be utilized by multiple stakeholders, how it can improve upon current reference site selection, how it can satisfy reclamation monitoring requirements for multiple regulatory agencies, how it may help improve future seed mix selection, and discuss how it may reduce costs for operations responsible for reclamation and how it may reduce observer bias.
Sectarianism and Political Order in Iraq and Lebanon
Authors: Saouli Adham
Published: April 2019

Although Iraq and Lebanon are deeply divided societies, they have followed varying political trajectories. Whilst Lebanon has accommodated sectarianism within a consociational democracy since its inception, until 2003 Iraq had an authoritarian regime that ostensibly repressed sectarianism. However, after 2003, Iraqi politics began to converge with the consociationalism of Lebanon. Taking a longitudinal approach, the study explains this puzzle by focusing on one factor: sectarianism. It asks how and why sectarianism has shaped the political trajectories and regime types in the two cases and, conversely, how sectarianism has been shaped by these trajectories and regimes.
Religion, Political Power, and the ‘Sectarian Surge’: Middle Eastern Identity Politics in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Rørbæk Lasse Lykke
Published: April 2019

Are countries in the Middle East characterized by comparatively distinctive, domestic‐level attributes that justify the recent years’ intensification of identity conflict in the region? The article presents descriptive statistics showing, first, that the Middle East is the only region in the world where religious (including sectarian) affiliation is the predominant identity marker determining group membership and, second, that people in the Middle East, on average, are twice as likely as people in other developing regions to belong to identity groups excluded from legitimate political representation. The article discusses these empirical trends based on the literature on ethnicity (defined broadly to include language, ‘race’, religion, and other cultural attributes) and ethnic conflict. The discussion suggests that the comparatively high level of identity‐based political inequality in the region provides a better explanation for the intensity of the conflict than does the predominance of religious identity divides.
Exploring the Nexus between Sectarianism and Regime Formation in a New Middle East: Theoretical Points of Departure
Authors: Valbjørn Morten , Hinnebusch Raymond
Published: April 2019

The purpose of this Special Issue is to examine the nature, causes, and consequences of the Middle East's current sectarian surge. Specifically, how might sectarianism and regime formation/type be inter‐related? The evidence from this specific analysis will also address the broader concern of whether the Arab uprisings have given rise to a qualitatively new kind of Middle Eastern politics, such that it makes sense to speak about a ‘newMiddle East’. In addition, the Special Issue touches on whether the study of regime formation in a sectarian context requires distinct analytical tools, or whether we can stick to the already existing approaches from the (post)democratization tradition. In order to provide a theoretical context within which the contributors locate their research focus, this introductory article will first provide an overview of two prominent debates in Middle East politics in recent years, which together constitute what we coin as the regime formation/sectarianism nexus.
Attitudes Toward Immigrants in Rural Norway. A Rural‐Urban Comparison
Authors: Zahl‐Thanem Alexander , Haugen Marit S.
Published: April 2019

Successful integration of immigrants is vital for rural areas facing population decline and labour shortage. Yet little is known about the role civil society plays in this process and about the factors that promote or hamper acceptance of immigrants by the local population. By using data from a national survey of the Norwegian population, this article examines rural‐urban differences in attitudes toward immigrants and immigration, and what characteristics rural and urban residents consider important for immigrants who may settle in their locality. The results indicate that people living in rural areas express more negative attitudes toward immigrants and immigration compared to people living in urban areas. Additionally, rural residents place greater importance than their urban counterparts do on immigrants’ participating in local events, speaking the native language, and being willing to adapt to Norwegian values.
Sleep disturbances and modulations in inflammation: Implications for pregnancy health
Authors: Okun Michele L.
Published: April 2019

When a woman becomes pregnant, there is a vast series of physiological, vascular, and psychological changes. Among the most commonly reported changes are those involving sleep. Pregnant women report that their ability to maintain sleep and acquire continuous refreshing sleep is impaired during the perinatal period as compared to the non‐pregnant period. A growing literature supports the hypothesis that disturbed sleep (which comes in many forms) during the perinatal period is associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal, delivery, and infant outcomes. Among the suggested biological pathways linking sleep and adverse outcomes are disturbances in the immune and hormonal systems. The following paper will discuss (a) the various sleep processes that are commonly disturbed during the perinatal period and the methods used to collect sleep data; (b) the evidence linking sleep to adverse outcomes; and (c) how one specific biological pathway, the immune system, likely mediates these associations. The goal of this paper is to clarify the role that sleep disturbance has during pregnancy.
The novel HLA‐A*03 variant, HLA‐A*03:08:01:02, detected by sequencing‐based typing
Authors: Hopland Bente I. , Andersen Silje H. , Jensen Tore , Boulland Line M. L. , Viken Marte K.
Published: April 2019

One nucleotide change in position 2606 of HLA‐A*03:08:01:01 results in the novel allele, HLA‐A*03:08:01:02.
No evidence of occult hepatitis C or E virus infections in liver‐transplant patients with sustained virological response after therapy with direct acting agents
Authors: Del Bello Arnaud , Abravanel Florence , Alric Laurent , Lavayssiere Laurence , Lhomme Sébastien , Bellière Julie , Izopet Jacques , Kamar Nassim
Published: April 2019

Background and Aims

It has been recently suggested that occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and hepatitis E virus (HEV) reactivation might occur after direct acting antiviral agent‐induced (DAA‐induced) sustained virological response (SVR). The aim of our study was to identify occult HCV and HEV infection in a cohort of organ transplant patients who had achieved SVR and had persistent elevation in liver‐enzyme levels.

Patients and Method

Sixty‐six liver and/or kidney transplant patients were treated with DAAs. All but one achieved SVR12. Twenty‐nine (8‐39) months post‐SVR12, 8 of the 65 patients (12.3%) who achieved SVR12 had persistently elevated liver enzyme levels. In 1 patient, this was related to hepatitis B virus reactivation. In the 7 remaining patients, blood samples (n = 7), liver biopsies (n = 4), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (n = 7) were collected simultaneously in order to identify occult HCV or HEV infection.

Results

Hepatitis C virus RNA and HEV RNA were not detected in serum, liver tissues, or PBMCs. No HEV reactivation was observed after HCV clearance in patients who had anti‐HEV IgG.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that there is no occult HCV or HEV infection in transplant patients after successful treatment of HCV infection with DAAs, even in patients with a persistent elevation of liver enzyme levels. However, due to the small number of patients included in our study, this finding should be confirmed in a larger cohort.
The natural history of Get3‐like chaperones
Authors: Farkas Ákos , De Laurentiis Evelina Ines , Schwappach Blanche
Published: April 2019

Get3 in yeast or TRC40 in mammals is an ATPase that, in eukaryotes, is a central element of the GET or TRC pathway involved in the targeting of tail‐anchored proteins. Get3 has also been shown to possess chaperone holdase activity. A bioinformatic assessment was performed across all domains of life on functionally important regions of Get3 including the TRC40‐insert and the hydrophobic groove essential for tail‐anchored protein binding. We find that such a hydrophobic groove is much more common in bacterial Get3 homologs than previously appreciated based on a directed comparison of bacterial ArsA and yeast Get3. Furthermore, our analysis shows that the region containing the TRC40‐insert varies in length and methionine content to an unexpected extent within eukaryotes and also between different phylogenetic groups. In fact, since the TRC40‐insert is present in all domains of life, we suggest that its presence does not automatically predict a tail‐anchored protein targeting function. This opens up a new perspective on the function of organellar Get3 homologs in plants which feature the TRC40‐insert but have not been demonstrated to function in tail‐anchored protein targeting. Our analysis also highlights a large diversity of the ways Get3 homologs dimerize. Thus, based on the structural features of Get3 homologs, these proteins may have an unexplored functional diversity in all domains of life.
Effects of starting cellular material composition on chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell expansion and characteristics
Authors: Elavia Nasha , Panch Sandhya R. , McManus Andrew , Bikkani Thejaswi , Szymanski James , Highfill Steven L. , Jin Ping , Brudno Jennifer , Kochenderfer James , Stroncek David F.
Published: April 2019

BACKGROUND

When manufacturing chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells using anti‐CD3/anti‐CD28 beads, ex vivo T‐cell expansion is dependent on the composition of leukocytes used in the manufacturing process. We investigated the effects of leukocyte composition on CAR T‐cell expansion and characteristics using an alternative manufacturing method.

METHODS

Anti–B‐cell maturation antigen and CD19‐CAR T cells were manufactured using autologous peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMNC) concentrates. The PBMNCs were enriched for lymphocytes using density gradient separation, which were used for CAR T‐cell culture initiation. T‐cell expansion was stimulated with soluble anti‐CD3 and interleukin‐2.

RESULTS

Fifty‐one CAR T‐cell products were evaluated; 28 anti–B‐cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR T cells produced for 24 patients and 27 CD19 CAR T cells produced for 24 patients. CAR T‐cell expansion was reduced when greater quantities of monocytes were present in the post–density gradient separation PBMNCs. In addition, the ratio of CD4 to CD8 cells in the CAR T‐cell products after 7 days of culture was dependent on the quantity of monocytes, RBCs, and neutrophils in the post–density gradient separation PBMNCs. Greater quantities of monocytes and RBCs were associated with a greater proportion of CD4+ cells and greater quantities of neutrophils were associated with a greater proportion of CD8+ cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The composition of leukocytes used to manufacture CAR T cells can affect cell expansion and the composition of CAR T‐cell products. More uniform or complete lymphocyte enrichment of PBMNCs improves the consistency of final CAR T‐cell products.
Red blood cell utilization and transfusion triggers in patients diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia in Iceland 2003–2016
Authors: Thorvaldsson Hrafn Hliddal , Vidarsson Brynjar , Sveinsdottir Signy Vala , Olafsson Gunnar Bjorn , Halldorsdottir Anna Margret
Published: April 2019

Background and Objectives

Revised Icelandic guidelines proposed a restrictive haemoglobin (Hb) threshold of 70 g/l for red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in general, but 100 g/l for malignancies/bone marrow suppression. Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is frequently complicated by anaemia. The objective was to investigate RBC transfusion practices in CLL.

Materials and methods

This retrospective nation‐wide study utilized an Icelandic registry of CLL patients diagnosed between 2003 and 2016. Medical records were reviewed and haemoglobin transfusion triggers compared for two periods: Earlier (2003–2012) and latter (2013–2017).

Results

Two hundred and thirteen patients were diagnosed with CLL over the period whereof 77 (36·2%) received RBC transfusion(s). Median time from diagnosis to first transfusion was 2·2 years. Higher age, Rai stage 3/4 at diagnosis (P < 0·05) and chemotherapy (P < 0·001) were associated with increased odds of transfusions. Shorter time to first transfusion correlated with higher age (P < 0·001) and Rai stage (P = 0·02) at diagnosis. The mean Hb trigger was 90·4 and 81·2 in the earlier and latter period respectively (P = 0·01). This difference in Hb triggers was most pronounced in patients without documented bone marrow involvement, or 80·5 g/l compared to 93·5 g/l (P = 0·004). The median time from diagnosis to transfusion was longer in the latter period (2·9 years vs. 1·6 years, P = 0·01). After RBC transfusions the survival decreased significantly (P < 0·001).

Conclusion

One‐third of CLL patients received RBC transfusions but few were heavily transfused. Older age, Rai stage, and chemotherapy predicted RBC use. The Hb transfusion trigger decreased over time while time to first RBC transfusion increased. RBC transfusions predict poor survival.