bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Optimum Mini‐doses of Glucagon and Insulin Levels when Treating Mild Hypoglycaemia in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes – A Simulation Study
Authors: Ranjan Ajenthen , Wendt Sabrina L. , Schmidt Signe , Madsbad Sten , Holst Jens J. , Madsen Henrik , Knudsen Carsten B. , Jørgensen John B. , Nørgaard Kirsten
Published: September 2017

Hypoglycaemia remains the main limiting factor in type 1 diabetes management. We developed an insulin‐dependent glucagon dosing regimen for treatment of mild hypoglycaemia based on simulations. A validated glucose–insulin–glucagon model was used to describe seven virtual patients with insulin pump‐treated type 1 diabetes. In each simulation, one of ten different and individualized subcutaneous insulin boluses was administered to decrease plasma glucose (PG) from 7.0 to ≤3.9 mmol/l. Insulin levels were estimated as ratio of actual to baseline serum insulin concentration (se/ba‐insulin), insulin on board (IOB) or percentage of IOB to total daily insulin dose (IOB/TDD). Insulin bolus sizes were chosen to provide pre‐defined insulin levels when PG reached 3.9 mmol/l, where one of 17 subcutaneous glucagon boluses was administered. Optimum glucagon bolus to treat mild hypoglycaemia at varying insulin levels was the lowest dose that in most patients caused PG peak between 5.0 and 10.0 mmol/l and sustained PG ≥ 3.9 mmol/l for 2 hr after the bolus. PG response to glucagon declined with increasing insulin levels. The glucagon dose to optimally treat mild hypoglycaemia depended exponentially on insulin levels, regardless of how insulin was estimated. A 125‐μg glucagon dose was needed to optimally treat mild hypoglycaemia when insulin levels were equal to baseline levels. In contrast, glucagon doses >500 μg were needed when se/ba‐insulin >2.5, IOB >2.0 U or IOB/TDD >6%. Although the proposed model‐based glucagon regimen needs confirmation in clinical trials, this is the first attempt to develop an insulin‐dependent glucagon dosing regimen for treatment of insulin‐induced mild hypoglycaemia in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Family support and gains in school readiness: A longitudinal study
Authors: Hughes Claire , White Naomi , Foley Sarah , Devine Rory T.
Published: September 2017

Background

Traditional measures of school readiness are labour‐intensive and do not assess family support.

Aims

The current study used the newly developed Brief Early Skills and Support Index (BESSI: Hughes, Daly, Foley, White and Devine 2015) to examine 6‐month longitudinal stability and change in teachers’ ratings of young children's school readiness and investigate the role of family support as a predictor of school readiness.

Sample

Five hundred and seventy‐eight children (270 boys; 74.2% White British) were included at Time 1 aged 2.58–5.84 years (Mage = 3.98 years, SD = 0.66).

Method

Teachers and nursery workers completed BESSI questionnaires for each participant on two occasions separated by 6 months.

Results

The four latent factors of the BESSI (i.e., Behavioural Adjustment, Language and Cognition, Daily Living Skills and Family Support) exhibited longitudinal measurement invariance and individual differences in ratings on each factor showed strong stability over time. BESSI ratings were also sensitive to improvements over time. Auto‐regressive models showed that family support and family income (as measured by eligibility for pupil premium support) at Time 1 each uniquely predicted child outcomes at Time 2.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the importance of family contexts for children's school readiness.
Robot‐assisted kidney transplantation: comparison of the first 40 cases of open vs robot‐assisted transplantations by a single surgeon
Authors: Tuğcu Volkan , Şener Nevzat Can , Şahin Selçuk , Yavuzsan Abdullah H. , Akbay Fatih G. , Apaydın Süheyla
Published: September 2017

Objective

To compare the outcomes of the first 40 patients to undergo robot‐assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) with those of the first 40 patients who underwent open KT (OKT) by a single surgeon at the Dr Sadi Konuk Training Hospital.

Patients and Methods

We prospectively collected the data of the first 40 patients to undergo RAKT between January 2016 and February 2017 (RAKT group), and compared them with the first 40 patients to undergo OKT between November 2010 and April 2015 (OKT group). Comparisons were made using one‐way analysis of variance or the Kruskal–Wallis test for continuous variables, and the chi‐squared or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables.

Results

There were 40 patients in both the RAKT and OKT groups. In the RAKT group, the mean (SD) operative time was 265.375 (46.63) min, total ischaemia time was 96.7 (30.02) min, re‐warming time was 54.70 (17.80) min, and estimated blood loss (EBL) was 182.25 (55.26) mL. Whilst in the OKT group the mean (SD) operative time was 250.25 (41) min (P = 0.129), total ischaemia time was 71.79 (8.55) min (P < 0.01), re‐warming time was 37.30 (4.07) min (P < 0.001), and EBL was 210.75 (28.96) mL (P = 0.005). At 12–24 h postoperatively, linear visual analogue scale pain scores were significantly lower in the RAKT group (P < 0.001), and the RAKT group had a significantly shorter drain withdrawal time, at a mean (SD) of 3.45 (0.93) vs 7.67 (2.11) days in the OKT group (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Satisfactory functional outcomes can be achieved by either OKT or RAKT. However, the latter technique seems to have some advantages over the former in that it is less invasive, results in less pain postoperatively, has a shorter drain withdrawal time, and has the potential for fewer complications.
Systematic review and network meta‐analysis on the relative efficacy of osteoporotic medications: men with prostate cancer on continuous androgen‐deprivation therapy to reduce risk of fragility fractures
Authors: Poon Yeesha , Pechlivanoglou Petros , Alibhai Shabbir M.H. , Naimark David , Hoch Jeffrey S. , Papadimitropoulos Emmanuel , Hogan Mary‐Ellen , Krahn Murray
Published: September 2017

Androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT) is an effective treatment for men with advanced prostate cancer, but loss of bone mineral density (BMD) is a major risk factor for fractures. This review compared the efficacy of available treatments to provide prescribing guidance to healthcare professionals.

This is the first review to compare the effectiveness of different osteoporotic treatments (bisphosphonates, denosumab, toremifene, and raloxifene) on BMD in patients with non‐metastatic prostate cancer on ADT using network meta‐analysis.

Results suggest that all evaluated treatments are effective in improving BMD compared to placebo.

Zoledronic acid (ZA) was found to have a greater improvement in BMD compared to other active treatments at all three studied sites, except for risedronate, which had better BMD improvement compared to ZA at the femoral neck site in one small study.

Our study did not identify evidence that one drug is unequivocally more effective than another. All drugs appeared to be effective in reducing the rate of bone loss. Healthcare professionals should also consider patient preference, costs, and local availability as part of the decision process.
Prospective comparison of transperineal magnetic resonance imaging/ultrasonography fusion biopsy and transrectal systematic biopsy in biopsy‐naïve patients
Authors: Borkowetz Angelika , Hadaschik Boris , Platzek Ivan , Toma Marieta , Torsev Georgi , Renner Theresa , Herout Roman , Baunacke Martin , Laniado Michael , Baretton Gustavo , Radtke Jan Philipp , Kesch Claudia , Hohenfellner Markus , Froehner Michael , Schlemmer Heinz‐Peter , Wirth Manfred , Zastrow Stefan
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in the detection of significant prostate cancer (PCa) and to compare transperineal MRI/ultrasonography fusion biopsy (fusPbx) with conventional transrectal systematic biopsy (sysPbx) in biopsy‐naïve patients.

Patients and Methods

This multicentre, prospective trial investigated biopsy‐naïve patients with suspicion of PCa undergoing transperineal fusPbx in combination with transrectal sysPbx (comPbx). The primary outcome was the detection of significant PCa, defined as Gleason pattern 4 or 5. We analysed the results after a study period of 2 years.

Results

The study included 214 patients. The median (range) number of targeted and systematic cores was 6 (2–15) and 12 (6–18), respectively. The overall PCa detection rate of comPbx was 52%. FusPbx detected more PCa than sysPbx (47% vs 43%; P = 0.15). The detection rate of significant PCa was 38% for fusPbx and 35% for sysPbx (P = 0.296). The rate of missed significant PCa was 14% in fusPbx and 21% in sysPbx. ComPbx detected significantly more significant PCa than fusPbx and sysPbx alone (44% vs 38% vs 35%; P < 0.005). In patients presenting with Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) 4 and 5 lesions there was a higher detection rate of significant PCa than in patients presenting with PI‐RADS ≤3 lesions in comPbx (61% vs 14%; P < 0.005).

Conclusions

For biopsy‐naïve men with tumour‐suspicious lesions in mpMRI, the combined approach outperformed both fusPbx and sysPbx in the detection of overall PCa and significant PCa. Thus, biopsy‐naïve patients may benefit from sysPbx in combination with mpMRI targeted fusPbx.
Phytolith reference study for identifying vegetation changes in the forest−grassland region of northeast China
Authors: Gao Guizai , Jie Dongmei , Wang Yong , Liu Lidan , Liu Hongyan , Li Dehui , Li Nannan , Shi Jichen , Leng Chengcheng
Published: September 2017

To provide a basis for tracing changes in vegetation and tree cover density, we studied the phytoliths of 129 common temperate plant species, and extracted the phytoliths from 75 surface soil samples from sites in grassland, forest−grassland ecotone and forest habitats in northeast China. From the analysis of shapes and morphological parameters of the plant samples, we developed a reference data set of herbaceous and woody phytoliths, and subsequently identified 21 herbaceous and 13 woody phytolith types in the surface soil samples. To test the reliability of soil phytolith analysis for distinguishing forest, grassland and the forest−grassland ecotone, we used principal components analysis (PCA) and discriminant analysis (DA) to summarize the soil phytolith assemblage characteristics of the different ecosystems. The results show that the grassland and forest samples are characterized by abundant herbaceous and woody phytoliths, respectively; and that forest−grassland ecotone habitats are characterized by low abundances of blocky polyhedral, multifaceted epidermal and sclereid phytoliths. In general, the surface soil phytolith assemblages can reliably differentiate samples from forest, grassland and the forest−grassland ecotone, with up to 92% of the samples classified correctly. We also tested the reliability of phytolith indices (W/G (1), W/G (2), W/G (3)) for discriminating different vegetation types in our study area, and found that W/G (2) was the most reliable index and corresponded well with the species inventory data. The W/G values for grassland ranged from 0 to 0.3, from 0.3 to 0.6 for the forest−grassland ecotone, and exceeded 0.6 for forest. We conclude that our study provides reliable analogues for phytolith assemblages from palaeoecological contexts, which can be used to reconstruct shifts in forest−grassland ecotones and vegetation succession in temperate areas.
Optimism as a Candidate Health Asset: Exploring Its Links With Adolescent Quality of Life in Sweden
Authors: Häggström Westberg Katrin , Wilhsson Marie , Svedberg Petra , Nygren Jens M. , Morgan Antony , Nyholm Maria
Published: September 2017

This study aims to understand the role that optimism could play in the context of a health asset approach to promote adolescent health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). Adolescents (n = 948), between 11 and 16 years old from a medium‐sized rural town in Sweden, answered questionnaires measuring optimism, pessimism, and HRQOL. The findings indicate a significant decrease in optimism and a significant increase in pessimism between early and midadolescence. The study has allowed us to present associational evidence of the links between optimism and HRQOL. This infers the potential of an optimistic orientation about the future to function as a health asset during adolescence and by implication may provide additional intervention tool in the planning of health promotion strategies.
Four‐year incidence rate and predictors of root caries among community‐dwelling south Brazilian older adults
Authors: Bidinotto Augusto B. , Martins Aline B. , dos Santos Camila M. , Hugo Fernando N. , Hilgert Juliana B. , Celeste Roger Keller , Padilha Dalva Maria , De Marchi Renato José
Published: September 2017

Objective

This study aimed to assess the incidence density (ID) of new root caries lesions and restorations among community‐living south Brazilian older adults and to assess its association with predictor variables.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort with a random sample of elders from the municipality of Carlos Barbosa, in south Brazil. Trained dentists performed interviews and oral examinations in 388 individuals at baseline, of which 273 were retained at follow‐up 4 years later. Our outcome was root caries ID, with 100 root‐years as its unit of measure. Demographic, biological and lifestyle predictors were tested with Poisson regression.

Results

The mean number of roots at baseline among participants was 7.0 (SD ± 4.9) and the incidence rate per 100 root‐year 4.9 (SD ± 8.9). Incidence of root caries among these older Brazilians was of 47.3%. The associated factors with the incidence of root caries were age, geographic location of residence, frequency of tooth brushing and stimulated saliva flow rate.

Conclusion

Age, external environment, personal practices and oral status were predictors of the incidence of root caries. Preventive strategies including the use of fluorides and instruction to improve the attitude and behaviour towards oral hygiene are needed.
The crisis of patient‐physician trust and bioethics: lessons and inspirations from China
Authors: Nie Jing‐Bao , Li Lun , Gillett Grant , Tucker Joseph D. , Kleinman Arthur
Published: September 2017

Trust is indispensable not only for interpersonal relationships and social life, but for good quality healthcare. As manifested in the increasing violence and tension in patient‐physician relationships, China has been experiencing a widespread and profound crisis of patient–physician trust. And globally, the crisis of trust is an issue that every society, either developing or developed, has to face in one way or another. Yet, in spite of some pioneering works, the subject of patient‐physician trust and mistrust – a crucial matter in healthcare especially because there are numerous ethical implications – has largely been marginalized in bioethics as a global discourse. Drawing lessons as well as inspirations from China, this paper demonstrates the necessity of a trust‐oriented bioethics and presents some key theoretical, methodological and philosophical elements of such a bioethics. A trust‐oriented bioethics moves beyond the current dominant bioethical paradigms through putting the subject of trust and mistrust in the central agenda of the field, learning from the social sciences, and reviving indigenous moral resources. In order for global bioethics to claim its relevance to the things that truly matter in social life and healthcare, trust should be as vital as such central norms like autonomy and justice and can serve as a potent theoretical framework.
Effect of dothistroma needle blight on needle and shoot lengths
Authors: Mullett M. S. , Brown A. V.
Published: September 2017

The needles of pine trees are indicative of the overall health of the tree, and their length is affected by many factors. This study describes the effect of high levels of pathogen infection on lengths of both needles and shoots. Dothistroma septosporum is an important foliar pathogen of pines causing necrosis and premature defoliation with successive years of high infection leading to growth reduction and in extreme cases tree death. Corsican pine trees with all foliage infected by D. septosporum had needles of primary, secondary and tertiary shoots reduced by 31.8%, 44.0% and 64.2%, respectively, compared to non‐infected trees. Needle lengths were reduced both in the upper and lower portions of the canopy, with a greater reduction lower in the canopy. Trees with high levels of infection had shorter shoots in the upper canopy with fewer, shorter needles on these shoots compared to trees with low levels of infection. The results demonstrate the substantial negative effect on needle and shoot lengths of trees with high levels of D. septosporum infection, comparable to factors such as water and nutrient availability known to have a strong influence on these parameters. The reductions in length reduce the photosynthetic capacity of the tree and compound the immediate reductions caused by necrosis and premature defoliation. These effects on needle and shoot lengths contribute to the reductions in volume growth of affected trees and, moreover, are longer lasting than the immediate effects of necrosis and premature defoliation.
Mirror trends of plasticity and stability indicators in primate prefrontal cortex
Authors: García‐Cabezas Miguel Á. , Joyce Mary Kate P. , John Yohan J. , Zikopoulos Basilis , Barbas Helen
Published: September 2017

Research on plasticity markers in the cerebral cortex has largely focused on their timing of expression and role in shaping circuits during critical and normal periods. By contrast, little attention has been focused on the spatial dimension of plasticity–stability across cortical areas. The rationale for this analysis is based on the systematic variation in cortical structure that parallels functional specialization and raises the possibility of varying levels of plasticity. Here, we investigated in adult rhesus monkeys the expression of markers related to synaptic plasticity or stability in prefrontal limbic and eulaminate areas that vary in laminar structure. Our findings revealed that limbic areas are impoverished in three markers of stability: intracortical myelin, the lectin Wisteria floribunda agglutinin, which labels perineuronal nets, and parvalbumin, which is expressed in a class of strong inhibitory neurons. By contrast, prefrontal limbic areas were enriched in the enzyme calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), known to enhance plasticity. Eulaminate areas have more elaborate laminar architecture than limbic areas and showed the opposite trend: they were enriched in markers of stability and had lower expression of the plasticity‐related marker CaMKII. The expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker of activated astrocytes, was also higher in limbic areas, suggesting that cellular stress correlates with the rate of circuit reshaping. Elevated markers of plasticity may endow limbic areas with flexibility necessary for learning and memory within an affective context, but may also render them vulnerable to abnormal structural changes, as seen in neurologic and psychiatric diseases.
Frequency‐dependent regulation of intrinsic excitability by voltage‐activated membrane conductances, computational modeling and dynamic clamp
Authors: Szűcs Attila , Rátkai Anikó , Schlett Katalin , Huerta Ramon
Published: September 2017

As one of the most unique properties of nerve cells, their intrinsic excitability allows them to transform synaptic inputs into action potentials. This process reflects a complex interplay between the synaptic inputs and the voltage‐dependent membrane currents of the postsynaptic neuron. While neurons in natural conditions mostly fire under the action of intense synaptic bombardment and receive fluctuating patterns of excitation and inhibition, conventional techniques to characterize intrinsic excitability mainly utilize static means of stimulation. Recently, we have shown that voltage‐gated membrane currents regulate the firing responses under current step stimulation and under physiologically more realistic inputs in a differential manner. At the same time, a multitude of neuron types have been shown to exhibit some form of subthreshold resonance that potentially allows them to respond to synaptic inputs in a frequency‐selective manner. In this study, we performed virtual experiments in computational models of neurons to examine how specific voltage‐gated currents regulate their excitability under simulated frequency‐modulated synaptic inputs. The model simulations and subsequent dynamic clamp experiments on mouse hippocampal pyramidal neurons revealed that the impact of voltage‐gated currents in regulating the firing output is strongly frequency‐dependent and mostly affecting the synaptic integration at theta frequencies. Notably, robust frequency‐dependent regulation of intrinsic excitability was observed even when conventional analysis of membrane impedance suggested no such tendency. Consequently, plastic or homeostatic regulation of intrinsic membrane properties can tune the frequency selectivity of neuron populations in a way that is not readily expected from subthreshold impedance measurements.
Application of next‐generation sequencing to the study of non‐model insects
Authors: Wachi Nakatada , Matsubayashi Kei W. , Maeto Kaoru
Published: September 2017

Recent developments in, and widespread availability of, platforms, technologies, and computer software and hardware have enhanced the use of genetic markers to address major scientific questions in non‐model organisms, even by researchers with limited expertise in genomics. However, there are few studies investigating the genomes of non‐model insects using these approaches. This review discusses the application of next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies to the study of genomes of wild organisms. We first introduce currently available NGS‐based methods—including restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing; multiplexed inter‐simple sequence repeat genotyping by sequencing; target capture; and amplicon, transcriptome, and whole genome sequencing—as useful tools for studies of non‐model insects. We also provide guidelines for first‐time users of NGS systems. In addition to the massive amount of information that it provides, a major advantage of NGS data is the scalability to future research projects. Studies using NGS technology can answer questions related to basic entomology by focusing on the unique nature of non‐model insects in wild environments in a way that is not possible for model organisms.
Sentiment, order imbalance, and co‐movement: An examination of shocks to retail and institutional trading activity
Authors: Chelley‐Steeley Patricia , Lambertides Neophytos , Savva Christos S.
Published: September 2017

Using order flow imbalance as a measure of sentiment we show that positive and negative shocks to sentiment lead to lower co‐movement between portfolio and market returns in the post‐shock period. Furthermore, an asymmetry is present as positive shocks to sentiment have less impact on co‐movement changes than negative shocks. Moreover, shocks to retail sentiment and the sentiment of two types of institutional investors lead to a reduction in co‐movement. Positive shocks to institutional order flow imbalance lead to smaller reductions in co‐movement than associated with retail shocks. These effects exist even after controlling for firm‐specific and market‐wide news.
Visualization of temporal patterns in patient record data
Authors: Plaisant Catherine
Published: September 2017

Visualization contributes to a variety of tasks, from reviewing individual patient records to helping researchers assess data quality, find patients of interest, review temporal patterns and anomalies, or understand differences between cohorts. We review some of visualization techniques developed at the University of Maryland.
Increased resource use efficiency amplifies positive response of aquatic primary production to experimental warming
Authors: Hood James M. , Benstead Jonathan P. , Cross Wyatt F. , Huryn Alexander D. , Johnson Philip W. , Gíslason Gísli M. , Junker James R. , Nelson Daniel , Ólafsson Jón S. , Tran Chau
Published: September 2017

Climate warming is affecting the structure and function of river ecosystems, including their role in transforming and transporting carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P). Predicting how river ecosystems respond to warming has been hindered by a dearth of information about how otherwise well‐studied physiological responses to temperature scale from organismal to ecosystem levels. We conducted an ecosystem‐level temperature manipulation to quantify how coupling of stream ecosystem metabolism and nutrient uptake responded to a realistic warming scenario. A ~3.3°C increase in mean water temperature altered coupling of C, N, and P fluxes in ways inconsistent with single‐species laboratory experiments. Net primary production tripled during the year of experimental warming, while whole‐stream N and P uptake rates did not change, resulting in 289% and 281% increases in autotrophic dissolved inorganic N and P use efficiency (UE), respectively. Increased ecosystem production was a product of unexpectedly large increases in mass‐specific net primary production and autotroph biomass, supported by (i) combined increases in resource availability (via N mineralization and N2 fixation) and (ii) elevated resource use efficiency, the latter associated with changes in community structure. These large changes in C and nutrient cycling could not have been predicted from the physiological effects of temperature alone. Our experiment provides clear ecosystem‐level evidence that warming can shift the balance between C and nutrient cycling in rivers, demonstrating that warming will alter the important role of in‐stream processes in C, N, and P transformations. Moreover, our results reveal a key role for nutrient supply and use efficiency in mediating responses of primary producers to climate warming.
Plant community structure and nitrogen inputs modulate the climate signal on leaf traits
Authors: Borgy Benjamin , Violle Cyrille , Choler Philippe , Denelle Pierre , Munoz François , Kattge Jens , Lavorel Sandra , Loranger Jessy , Amiaud Bernard , Bahn Michael , van Bodegom Peter M. , Brisse Henry , Debarros Guilhem , Diquelou Sylvain , Gachet Sophie , Jolivet Claudy , Lemauviel‐Lavenant Servane , Mikolajczak Alexis , Olivier Jean , Ordoñez Jenny , de Ruffray Patrice , Viovy Nicolas , Garnier Eric
Published: September 2017

Aim

Leaf traits strongly impact biogeochemical cycles in terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding leaf trait variation along environmental gradients is thus essential to improve the representation of vegetation in Earth system models. Our aims were to quantify relationships between leaf traits and climate in permanent grasslands at a biogeographical scale and to test whether these relationships were sensitive to (a) the level of nitrogen inputs and (b) the inclusion of information pertaining to plant community organization.

Location

Permanent grasslands throughout France.

Methods

We combined existing datasets on climate, soil, nitrogen inputs (fertilization and deposition), species composition and four traits, namely specific leaf area, leaf dry matter content and leaf nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations, for 15,865 French permanent grasslands. Trait–climate relationships were tested using the following four climatic variables available across 1,833 pixels (5 km × 5 km): mean annual temperature (MAT) and precipitation (MAP), and two indices accounting for the length of the growing season. We compared these relationships at the pixel level using either using community‐level or species’ trait means.

Results

Our findings were as follows: (a) leaf traits related to plant nutrient economy shift consistently along a gradient of growing season length accounting for temperature and soil water limitations of plant growth (GSLtw); (b) weighting leaf traits by species abundance in local communities is pivotal to capture leaf trait–environment relationships correctly at a biogeographical scale; and (c) the relationships between traits and GSLtw weaken for grasslands with a high nitrogen input.

Main conclusions

The effects of climate on plant communities are better described using composite descriptors than coarse variables such as MAT or MAP, but appear weaker for high‐nitrogen grasslands. Using information at the community level tends to strengthen trait–climate relationships. The interplay of land management, community assembly and bioclimate appears crucial to the prediction of leaf trait variations and their effects on biogeochemical cycles.
Climate‐driven trends in stem wood density of tree species in the eastern United States: Ecological impact and implications for national forest carbon assessments
Authors: Clough Brian J. , Curzon Miranda T. , Domke Grant M. , Russell Matthew B. , Woodall Christopher W.
Published: September 2017

Aim

For trees, wood density is linked to competing energetic demands and therefore reflects responses to the environment. Climatic trends in wood density are recognized, yet their contribution to regional biogeographical patterns or impact on forest biomass stocks is not understood. This study has the following two objectives: (O1) to characterize wood density–climate trends for coarse (i.e., angiosperm versus gymnosperm) and fine (i.e., within‐species) taxonomic units and test a predictive model that incorporates these trends into a model that assumes range‐wide wood density is constant; and (O2) to assess the impact of climate‐driven intraspecific variation on forest biomass stocks for major tree species.

Location

We use an assemblage of eastern U.S. tree species for assessing climatic trends (O1), and then apply fitted models to forest inventory data spanning the eastern U.S.A. to assess impacts of forest carbon estimation procedures (O2).

Methods

We compared hierarchical models fitted to the full data to characterize wood density/climate gradients and to assess the impact of within‐species variation (O1). Then, we compared predictions of biomass stocks from the climate‐variable model with those of the static model using the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) database (O2).

Results

We found among‐ and within‐species trends related to temperature and moisture regimes, with differing responses between angiosperms and gymnosperms. Incorporating within‐species variation in wood density increases the carbon stock of the study region by an estimated 242 Tg when compared with a species‐only model.

Main conclusions

Intraspecific variation in wood density across species ranges suggests that climate influences investment in stem wood within tree species and contributes to biogeographical patterns in wood density in the eastern U.S.A. This variation impacts forest biomass stock assessments, and thus contributes refinements to the U.S. National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. In addition, our work highlights the potential for combining trait data and forest inventory to infer forest ecological processes at broad spatial scales.
Scale dependence of environmental controls on the functional diversity of coral reef fish communities
Authors: Yeager Lauren A. , Deith Mairin C. M. , McPherson Jana M. , Williams Ivor D. , Baum Julia K.
Published: September 2017

Aim

The functional composition of local assemblages is hypothesized to be controlled by hierarchical environmental filters, whereby the importance of different abiotic and biotic factors varies across both spatial scales and the different dimensions of functional diversity. We examine scale dependence in functional diversity–environment relationships with the ultimate aim of advancing models that predict the response of functional diversity to global change.

Location

Coral reefs surrounding 23 minimally disturbed central‐western Pacific islands.

Time period

2010–2015.

Major taxa studied

Coral reef fishes.

Methods

We surveyed 1,423 reef sites using a standardized monitoring protocol and classified the 547 taxa encountered based on traits related to resource use, body size and behaviour. For each fish community, we calculated species richness and three metrics of functional diversity: functional richness, functional redundancy and functional evenness. We then built nested models at three spatial scales to evaluate the predictive power of environmental conditions over each component of functional diversity.

Results

Climatic variables (e.g., primary productivity) and geomorphic context (e.g., bathymetric slope) were more important in predicting functional diversity at coarse spatial scales. In contrast, local measures of habitat quality, including benthic complexity, depth and hard coral cover, were generally most important at finer scales. All diversity metrics were better predicted at coarser scales, but which predictors were important varied among metrics.

Main conclusions

The observed scale dependence in environmental predictors of functional diversity generally matches models of hierarchical filters on functional community assembly. Contrary to expectation, however, functional evenness and functional redundancy, which incorporate information on biomass distributions, were not better predicted at finer spatial scales. Instead, broad‐scale variation in environmental variables was most important in predicting all components of functional diversity. Furthermore, the distinct responses of each functional diversity metric to environmental variation indicate that each measures a unique dimension of reef‐fish diversity, and environmental change may affect each differently.
The spatial scale of time‐lagged population synchrony increases with species dispersal distance
Authors: Martin Amanda E. , Pearce‐Higgins James W. , Fahrig Lenore
Published: September 2017

Aim

Time‐lagged population synchrony, where spatially separated populations show similar fluctuations in abundance lagged over time, is thought to be driven by dispersal among populations. When dispersal is proportional to population density or positively density dependent, and individuals move readily from population A to population B, then as population A increases, the increased number of dispersers from population A to B will cause a subsequent increase in population B. If true, then time‐lagged synchrony should be strongest at a species’ typical dispersal distance, because the rate of exchange between populations will be greatest at that distance.

Location

United Kingdom (U. K.).

Time period

1994 – 2013.

Major taxa studied

Birds (class Aves).

Methods

We estimated the spatial scale of 1‐year‐lagged population synchrony for 76 U.K. bird species, using 20 years of bird count data collected at 2,415 locations by the British Breeding Bird Survey. We then compared these spatial scales with published mean natal and breeding dispersal distance estimates (ranging from 0.1 to 25.8 km) for the same species based on an independent, large‐scale, mark–recapture dataset of 492,272 bird recaptures in Britain and Ireland.

Results

We found strong, positive cross‐species relationships between the spatial scale of time‐lagged synchrony and mean natal and breeding dispersal distance estimates from the mark–recapture study. However, average spatial scales of time‐lagged synchrony were more than 60 km longer than those from mark–recapture data, with scales ranging from 5 to 185 km.

Main conclusions

Ours is the first study to show that the spatial scale of time‐lagged synchrony increases with species dispersal distance. The scale of synchrony was larger than expected, probably because mark–recapture data underestimated the real dispersal distances, or because dispersal synchronizes populations at a larger spatial scale than that of dispersal (e.g., through formation of travelling waves), or both. Nevertheless, the strong relative concordance is consistent with the explanation that time‐lagged synchrony results from dispersal among populations.
Contrasting patterns of altitudinal distribution between parasitoid wasps of the subfamilies Braconinae and Doryctinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)
Authors: Aguirre Helmuth , Shaw Scott R. , Rodríguez‐Jiménez Andrea
Published: September 2017

Many tropical organisms have narrow altitudinal ranges and therefore may be especially vulnerable to climate change. Parasitoid wasps are no exception, so baseline knowledge about their vulnerability to rising temperatures needs to include analyses of their distributional ranges along elevational gradients.

Using museum collections of the parasitoid subfamilies Braconinae and Doryctinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) from Costa Rica, we tested two alternative hypotheses explaining altitudinal distributions of communities: (i) the Mid‐domain effect, which states that species diversity peaks at middle elevations as a result of species’ random distributions; and (ii) Rapoport's effect, which predicts that species diversity should monotonically decrease with increasing elevation.

We found that for the Doryctinae, species diversity decreased monotonically with elevation, while the Braconinae showed two peaks. Species altitudinal ranges increased with elevation in the Doryctinae, as predicted by Rapoport's effect, but not so in the Braconinae. Neither of the subfamilies’ distributions fit the prediction of the Mid‐domain effect.

The richness peak at low elevations displayed by the Braconinae and Doryctinae matches the distribution of wood‐boring beetles, which are potential hosts for both taxa. The second peak described in the Braconinae at middle elevations may reflect either better access or higher availability of potential hosts in the Diptera and Lepidoptera at those elevations.

Because species in the Doryctinae, on average, had altitudinal ranges that were broader and lower in elevation than species in the Braconinae, our results suggest that species in the Doryctinae might have greater resilience to future temperature increases.
Comparing touch senses of naïve and expert panels through treated hair swatches: which associated wordings correlate with hair physical properties?
Authors: Galliano A. , Kempf J. Y. , Fougere M. , Applebaum M. , Wolfram L. J. , Maibach H.
Published: September 2017

Objectives

This study (i) compared the sense of touch between a naïve and expert panels, under visual or blind conditions, using differently treated hair swatches and (ii) explored possible common wordings used by both panels and their possible links with some physical properties of hairs.

Methods

Two sets of 15 hair swatches of Caucasian and Chinese origins were differently treated (bleached, permed, brushed, etc.) or organized (root–tip vs. tip–root). These were evaluated by tactile assessments by two panels (105 naïve consumers and 10 hair experts) under visual or blind conditions, in two geographical locations. A series of 17 defined antonym adjectives, as descriptors, allowed responses of each panel to being scored and their preference mappings to being defined on a like–dislike scale. Hair swatches were measured and assessed by various instrumental techniques (bending, diameter, cuticle cohesion, alignments of hair).

Results

Apart from a few overlaps, all 15 hair swatches were well differentiated by both panels which showed a global agreement, making experts reliable assessors. Only three descriptors among 17 correlated with some objective measurements. Tactile‐visual assessments differ from those performed tactile blind in both panels. Agreements between both panels appear, however, closer under tactile‐blind conditions.

Conclusion

Trained hair experts were confirmed as reliable representatives of a larger and naïve cohort, viewed as consumers. Hair swatches were well differentiated by both panels, with comparable descriptor rankings.
The chemical composition of different edible locations (central and edge muscles) of flat fish (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis)
Authors: Barbosa Roberta G. , Trigo Marcos , Prego Ricardo , Fett Roseane , Aubourg Santiago P.
Published: September 2017

The chemical composition of the different edible locations (central and edge muscles) of a flat fish (megrim, Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis) was comparatively analysed at both body sides. Higher moisture and lower lipid contents were obtained in central muscles than in edge ones. Edge sites showed higher triacylglycerols and sterols contents and lower mean phospholipids values than central muscles. A higher α‐tocopherol presence was observed in the lipid fraction of central muscles than in the edge ones. For both fish sides, fatty acid (FA) analysis showed lower monounsaturated FA and higher polyunsaturated FA contents and ω3/ω6 ratios in central muscles. Presence of essential elements (Co, Cu, Mn, Se, Zn) did not provide differences among sites considered. Concerning toxic elements, As content showed greater levels in central muscles than in their corresponding edge sites for both fish sides, upper zones showed higher mean scores in As, Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb and V.
Gelation properties of goose liver protein recovered by isoelectric solubilisation/precipitation process
Authors: Li Xin , Xue Siwen , Zhao Xue , Zhuang Xinbo , Han Minyi , Xu Xinglian , Zhou Guanghong
Published: September 2017

Isoelectric solubilisation/precipitation (ISP) process was applied to goose liver (GL) for protein extraction. The gelation properties of proteins extracted by acid processes (ACP, pH 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0) and alkaline processes (ALP, pH 11.0, 11.5 and 12.0) were estimated, where the unextracted ground GL was set as the control. Nearly 58.39~79.00% of GL proteins were recovered by ISP treatments. High molecular weight (100~250 kDa) proteins were found to be partially hydrolysed by ACP, while few changes in proteins occurred during ALP. As evidenced by rheological and textural measurements, ALP proteins formed gels with high elasticity and superior texture, whereas ACP proteins had inferior gelation properties. Moreover, ALP proteins were able to form a highly interconnected and homogeneous three‐dimensional microstructure. Predominantly, gels produced by 11.0 had optimal texture and the lowest cooking loss (P < 0.05). These results suggested that the ISP process (ALP) is a potential method to improve the economic value of GL.
GOODPASTURE'S SYNDROME
Authors: STANTON M. C. , TANGE J. D.
Published: September 2017

Nine cases, which show a combination of pulmonary hamorrhage and glomerulonephritis, have been recorded: as the ætiology of the condition is obscure, brevity and precedence are urged to justify the name “Goodpasture's syndrome”.

Only twelve other cases could be collected from the literature, but this probably does not reflect its real frequency.

The pulmonary lesions appear to be produced by some derangement of the humoral mechanisms of the body, similar to that operating in uncomplicated glomerulonephritis or related conditions, and are distinct and different from the pulmonary changes seen in the lungs in uræmia.

The renal lesion is predominantly glomerular and widespread;in most cases, the change is proliferative with hyaline change in the late stages. Active organization with giant‐cell formation is a feature of some cases.

The lung changes are characteristically congestion and thickening of alveolar walls with some disintegration and rupture. Alveoli contain a cellular exudate; in later stages organization occurs.

Usually the first manifestation of the syndrome is hemoptysis; and as there may be only a trace, or even no albumin in the urine, early diagnosis may be exceedingly difficult. This may influence or mask the real prognosis of the syndrome. As it is a killing disease of young adults, it deserves further study.
Systematic review and meta‐analysis of non‐pharmacological interventions to reduce the symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety in pregnant women
Authors: Evans Kerry , Morrell C Jane , Spiby Helen
Published: September 2017

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of non‐pharmacological interventions for pregnant women with symptoms of mild to moderate anxiety.

Background

Many pregnant women experience mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety and could benefit from additional support. Non‐pharmacological interventions have been suggested for use during pregnancy.

Design

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Data sources

Randomized controlled trials published since 1990, identified from electronic databases: Medline; CINAHL; Maternity and Infant Care; PsycINFO; Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; CENTRAL; EMBASE; Centre for Reviews and Dissemination; Social Sciences Citation Index; ASSIA; HTA Library; Joanna Briggs Institute Evidence‐Based Practice database; Allied and Complementary Medicine.

Review methods

Conducted according to the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination procedure. Papers were screened (N = 5,222), assessed for eligibility (N = 57) and selected for inclusion (N = 25). The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias was used. Papers were assessed for clinical and statistical heterogeneity and considered for meta‐analysis. Descriptive analysis of the data was conducted.

Results

Psychological, mind‐body, educational and supportive interventions were delivered individually and to groups of pregnant women over single or multiple sessions. The State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory was the most commonly used anxiety measure. In 60% of studies there were fewer than 40 participants. Meta‐analysis of three studies indicated no observed beneficial effect in the reduction of anxiety.

Conclusion

There was insufficient evidence from which to draw overall conclusions regarding the benefit of interventions. Results were predominantly based on small samples. Many papers provided an inadequate description of methods which prevented a full assessment of methodological quality.
Validation and adaptation of the danger assessment‐5: A brief intimate partner violence risk assessment
Authors: Messing Jill Theresa , Campbell Jacquelyn C. , Snider Carolyn
Published: September 2017

Aims

The aim of this study was to assess the predictive validity of the DA‐5 with the addition of a strangulation item in evaluating the risk of an intimate partner violence (IPV) victim being nearly killed by an intimate partner.

Background

The DA‐5 was developed as a short form of the Danger Assessment for use in healthcare settings, including emergency and urgent care settings. Analyzing data from a sample of IPV survivors who had called the police for domestic violence, the DA‐5 was tested with and without an item on strangulation, a potentially fatal and medically damaging IPV tactic used commonly by dangerous abusers.

Design

Researchers interviewed a heterogeneous sample of 1,081 women recruited by police between 2009–2013 at the scene of a domestic violence call; 619 (57.3%) were contacted and re‐interviewed after an average of 7 months.

Methods

The predictive validity of the DA‐5 was assessed for the outcome of severe or near lethal IPV re‐assault using sensitivity, specificity and ROC curve analysis techniques.

Results

The original DA‐5 was found to be accurate (AUC = .68), equally accurate with the strangulation item from the original DA substituted (AUC = .68) and slightly more accurate (but not a statistically significant difference) if multiple strangulation is assessed.

Conclusion

We recommend that the DA‐5 with the strangulation item be used for a quick assessment of homicide or near homicide risk among IPV survivors. A protocol for immediate referral and examination for further injury from strangulation should be adopted for IPV survivors at high risk.