bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is the setting up aid mitigating the generational renewal problem in farming?
Authors: Nordin Martin , Lovén Ida 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
This study is the first to evaluate the setting up aid (SUA), in the Rural Development Programme. For Sweden, we investigate if the aid, firstly, speeds up the transition process to become manager of a farm and, secondly, affects income from farming and survival of the farm. The approach builds on a regression discontinuity design and explores an age 40–the eligibility requirement in the SUA. We find that the SUA has an impact on the transition to farm management, as well as it increases income from farming and farm survival. Consequently, the aid is likely to fulfil its aim of attracting young people into farming.
Left atrial appendage occlusion with the Amplatzer™ Amulet™ device: full results of the prospective global observational study
Authors: Hildick-Smith David , Landmesser Ulf , Camm A John , Diener Hans-Christoph , Paul Vince , Schmidt Boris , Settergren Magnus , Teiger Emmanuel , Nielsen-Kudsk Jens Erik , Tondo Claudio 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Aims
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with the Amplatzer™ Amulet™ occluder.

Methods and results
Patients with atrial fibrillation eligible for LAAO were recruited to a prospective global study. Implant procedures were undertaken with echocardiographic guidance. Transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) was undertaken 1–3 months post-LAAO. Implant and follow-up TOEs were evaluated by a CoreLab. The primary endpoint was a composite of ischaemic stroke and cardiovascular death at 2 years. Serious adverse events were adjudicated by an independent clinical events committee. A total of 1088 patients were enrolled, aged 75.2 ± 8.5 years; 64.5% were male. CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores were 4.2 ± 1.6 and 3.3 ± 1.1, respectively. A total of 71.7% had prior major bleeding, and 82.8% had contraindications to oral anticoagulants. Implant success was 99.1%. Major adverse events (≤7 days post-procedure) occurred in 4.0%, including death (0.3%), stroke (0.4%), major vascular (1.3%), and device embolization (0.2%). A total of 80.2% of patients were discharged on antiplatelet therapy alone. Peridevice flow was &lt;3 mm in 98.4% at follow-up TOE. Device-related thrombus (DRT) was seen in 1.6% of cases. Cardiovascular death or ischaemic stroke occurred in 8.7% of patients at 2 years. The ischaemic stroke rate was 2.2%/year—a 67% reduction compared to the CHA2DS2-VASc predicted rate. Major bleeding (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type ≥ 3) occurred at rates of 10.1%/year (year 1) and 4.0%/year (year 2).

Conclusion
Following LAAO with the Amplatzer Amulet device, the ischaemic stroke rate was reduced by 67% compared to the predicted risk. Closure was complete in 98.4% of cases and DRT seen in only 1.6%.
Satellite-based time series land cover and change information to map forest area consistent with national and international reporting requirements
Authors: Wulder Michael A , Hermosilla Txomin , Stinson Graham , Gougeon François A , White Joanne C , Hill David A , Smiley Byron P 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Forests are dynamic ecosystems, subject to both natural and anthropogenic agents of change. Wildfire, harvesting and other human activities alter the tree-covered area present in forests. From national and international reporting perspectives, forests include areas currently treed, as well as those disturbed forest areas that are not currently treed but will be, given time for regeneration and the advancement of natural successional processes. As a consequence, forest area can be depicted at a particular point in time, informed by a retrospective temporal context. Using time series of Landsat imagery, annual land cover maps can be generated that are informed by knowledge of past disturbance history (such as wildfire and harvesting). In this research, we use over three decades of annual land cover data generated from Landsat time series to generate a spatially explicit estimate of the forest area of Canada in 2010. We demonstrate how land cover and disturbance information can be combined to map the area of ‘forest’, as defined by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO), within Canada’s 650 Mha of forested ecozones. Following this approach, we estimated Canada’s total forest area in 2010 to be 354.5 Mha. This estimate includes 324.5 Mha of current forest cover in 2010, plus an additional 33.2 Mha (or 9.4 per cent) of temporally informed forest area where tree cover had been temporarily lost due to fire or harvest, less 3.3 Mha that were removed to meet a definitional minimum size (0.5 ha) for contiguous forest area. Using Canada’s National Forest Inventory (NFI) as an independent reference source, the spatial agreement between the two estimates of forest area was ~84 per cent overall. Aspatially, the total area of the Landsat-derived estimate of 2010 forest area and the NFI baseline estimates differed by only 3 per cent, with notable regional differences in the wetland-dominated Hudson Plains Ecozone. Satellite-derived time series land cover and change information enable spatially explicit depictions of forest area (distinct from representations of forest cover) in a robust and transparent fashion, producing information of value to science, management and reporting information needs.
Reflection on modern methods: planned missing data designs for epidemiological research
Authors: Rioux Charlie , Lewin Antoine , Odejimi Omolola A , Little Todd D 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Taking advantage of the ability of modern missing data treatments in epidemiological research (e.g. multiple imputation) to recover power while avoiding bias in the presence of data that is missing completely at random, planned missing data designs allow researchers to deliberately incorporate missing data into a research design. A planned missing data design may be done by randomly assigning participants to have missing items in a questionnaire (multiform design) or missing occasions of measurement in a longitudinal study (wave-missing design), or by administering an expensive gold-standard measure to a random subset of participants while the whole sample is administered a cheaper measure (two-method design). Although not common in epidemiology, these designs have been recommended for decades by methodologists for their benefits—notably that data collection costs are minimized and participant burden is reduced, which can increase validity. This paper describes the multiform, wave-missing and two-method designs, including their benefits, their impact on bias and power, and other factors that must be taken into consideration when implementing them in an epidemiological study design.
A Roadmap for a Successful Breast Imaging Fellowship
Authors: Mehta Rashmi , Lourenco Ana , Phillips Jordana 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Breast imaging is an important field within radiology, having made significant strides in helping reduce morbidity and mortality from breast cancer. Historically, breast imaging radiologists learned mammography and ultrasound skills on the job as a part of general radiology training. However, breast imaging as a subspecialty has grown over time with the emergence of breast imaging fellowships across the country. Despite this growth, breast imaging fellowships remain nonaccredited through the American College of Graduate Medical Education, and as a result, there are significant variations in training programs throughout the country. In this article, we will provide guidelines on organizing a breast imaging fellowship to help standardize the experience of fellows entering the breast imaging community. This will include guidelines regarding providing adequate clinical exposure, developing a fund of knowledge, fostering extra-clinical interests, and providing constructive feedback for ongoing improvement.
A26 PEDIATRIC-ONSET INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE INCREASES THE RISK OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM: A CANGIEC POPULATION-BASED STUDY
Authors: Kuenzig E , Singh H , Bitton A , Kaplan G G , Carroll M W , Otley A , Stukel T A , Spruin S , Nugent Z , Tanyingoh D , Cui Y , Filliter C , Coward S , Griffiths A , Mack D , Jacobson K , Nguyen G C , Targownik L , El-Matary W , Benchimol E I 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients of all ages but the risk of VTE among Canadian children with IBD has not previously been investigated.

Aims
Report the incidence of VTE and subtypes pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in children with and without IBD.

Methods
Children diagnosed with IBD &lt;16y were identified from health administrative data in Ontario (2002–2014), Alberta (2007–2015), and Nova Scotia (2002–2012) using validated algorithms and matched by age and sex to children without IBD (1:5 ratio). Validated ICD-10 codes identified hospitalizations for incident VTE (DVT, PE, and sinovenous thrombosis). Province-specific 5-year cumulative incidence per 1000 person-years (PY) of VTEs were pooled using fixed-effects generalized linear mixed models with a Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) within 5 years of diagnosis were pooled using fixed-effects generalized linear mixed models to compare children with and without IBD, and children with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC).

Results
3127 children with IBD (1826 CD; 1045 UC) were matched to 15,635 children without IBD. The cumulative incidence of VTE within 5 years of IBD diagnosis was 2.8 (95% CI 2.1–3.8) per 1000 PYs compared to 0.13 (95% CI 0.07–0.24) per 1000 PYs in children without IBD (Table). The 5-year cumulative incidences of VTE, DVT, and PE were significantly higher in children with IBD than in children without IBD (VTE: IRR 21.44, 95% CI 10.73–42.82; DVT: IRR 25.15, 95% CI 11.12–56.89; PE: IRR 4.01, 95% CI 1.22–13.18). Compared to UC patients, children with CD were at lower risk of VTE (IRR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29–0.96) and numerically, but not statistically, lower risk of DVT (IRR 0.59, 95% CI 0.30–1.14).

Conclusions
Although VTEs are relatively rare among children with IBD, these children are at much greater risk than children without IBD. Gastroenterologists caring for these patients should be cognizant of VTE risk and provide appropriate prophylaxis to those at high risk of VTE.

Funding Agencies
CCC
A219 PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF AKKERMANSIA MUCINIPHILA ON INTESTINAL BARRIER FUNCTION AND INFLAMMATION
Authors: Grondin J , Wang H , Haq S , Kwon E Y , Surette M , Khan W I 
Published: February 2020

Abstract

Background
Akkermansia muciniphila, an anaerobic gram-negative bacteria, accounts for ~3% of human gut microbiota. Despite its mucolytic nature, A. muciniphila has been shown to stimulate mucin production, enhance anti-inflammatory regulatory T cell proliferation and improve gut barrier integrity. Interestingly, an inverse relationship has been established between A. muciniphila and several disease states including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suggesting it may have protective and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the precise role and mechanism of A. muciniphila in the pathogenesis of colitis remains unknown. Thus, we hypothesize that A. muciniphila may induce protective effects on intestinal inflammation by influencing host immune response and epithelial barrier integrity.

Aims
(1) To investigate the protective role of A. muciniphila in intestinal inflammation in a chemically induced model of IBD and (2) to investigate the protective role of A. muciniphila in intestinal inflammation and host defense in a model of enteric parasitic infection.

Methods
Colitis was induced in germ-free C57BL/6 mice with 2.5% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) after treatment with either C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) cecal contents or WT cecal contents supplemented with A. muciniphila. Colitis severity was assessed by disease activity index (DAI), macroscopic and histological scores, myeloperoxidase (MPO) assay and cytokine expression. In addition, colitis was induced by Trichuris muris, an intestinal nematode, following treatment with A. muciniphila. Post-infection, the severity of intestinal inflammation was assessed by worm burden, goblet cell staining, cytokines analysis, MPO activity and Muc2 expression. Microbial composition was assessed by 16s rRNA gene sequencing.

Results
In preliminary studies, mice treated with A. muciniphila and administered DSS for 5 days yielded a significant decrease in DAI, macroscopic scoring, and MPO values compared with controls. IL-10 was also elevated in mice receiving A. muciniphila. Groups receiving A. muciniphila in the T. muris model trended toward decreased worm burden, IL-4, IL-13, as well as increased levels of IL-10, goblet cell expression, and Muc2 and Muc5ac expression. A significant decrease in MPO activity was also observed in the group receiving the A. muciniphila-supplemented gavage. Microbial analysis indicated that 3 weeks post-gavage Akkermansia levels were significantly elevated in groups receiving the A. muciniphila-supplemented WT cecal contents versus WT alone. This significance was maintained post-T. muris infection.

Conclusions
These findings suggest that A. muciniphila may have a protective role in the context of intestinal inflammation. This research has the potential to fuel the development of novel treatments by utilizing this protective role in IBD.

Funding Agencies
CIHR
Bee Visitation and Fruit Quality in Berries Under Protected Cropping Vary Along the Length of Polytunnels
Authors: Hall Mark A , Jones Jeremy , Rocchetti Maurizio , Wright Derek , Rader Romina 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWild and managed bees provide effective crop pollination services worldwide. Protected cropping conditions are thought to alter the ambient environmental conditions in which pollinators forage for flowers, yet few studies have compared conditions at the edges and center of growing tunnels. We measured environmental variables (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, white light, and UV light) and surveyed activity of the managed honey bee, Apis mellifera L.; wild stingless bee, Tetragonula carbonaria Smith; and wild sweat bee, Homalictus urbanus Smith, along the length of 32 multiple open-ended polyethylene growing tunnels. These were spaced across 12 blocks at two commercial berry farms, in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales and Walkamin, North Queensland, Australia. Berry yield, fresh weight, and other quality metrics were recorded at discrete increments along the length of the tunnels. We found a higher abundance and greater number of flower visits by stingless bees and honey bees at the end of tunnels, and less frequent visits to flowers toward the middle of tunnels. The center of tunnels experienced higher temperatures and reduced wind speed. In raspberry, fruit shape was improved with greater pollinator abundance and was susceptible to higher temperatures. In blueberry, per plant yield and mean berry weight were positively associated with pollinator abundance and were lower at the center of tunnels than at the edge. Fruit quality (crumbliness) in raspberries was improved with a greater number of visits by sweat bees, who were not as susceptible to climatic conditions within tunnels. Understanding bee foraging behavior and changes to yield under protected cropping conditions is critical to inform the appropriate design of polytunnels, aid pollinator management within them, and increase economic gains in commercial berry crops.
Presence of the Oriental Rat Flea (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) Infesting an Endemic Mammal and Confirmed Plague Circulation in a Forest Area of Madagascar
Authors: Harimalala Mireille , Rahelinirina Soanandrasana , Girod Romain 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
The Oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild 1903), is a cosmopolitan flea usually found infesting domestic rats. This flea is a well-known major human plague vector in Madagascar. As part of field sampling, fleas and small mammals were collected in the village of South Andranofeno and the natural reserve of Sohisika, two sites of the district of Ankazobe, located in the Central Highlands of Madagascar. Rats inside houses and forest small mammals were trapped using Besancon Technical Services and pitfall traps, respectively. Their fleas were collected and preserved for laboratory works. Collected fleas from the village and forest belonged to five species, which were X. cheopis, Synopsyllus fonquerniei (Wagner and Roubaud 1932) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), Echidnophaga gallinacea (Westwood 1875) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), Ctenocephalides felisstrongylus (Jordan 1925) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), Pulex irritans (Linnaeus 1758) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae). After sampling in the forest zone, one specimen of X. cheopis was unexpectedly collected while infesting an endemic tenrec Setifer setosus (Schreber 1777) (Afrosoricida: Tenrecidae). Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis on all collected fleas allowed detecting plague bacterium Yersinia pestis (Lehmann and Neumann 1896) (Enterobacterales: Yersiniaceae) on nine specimens of the endemic flea S. fonquerniei collected inside forest. The presence of the oriental rat flea in forest highlights the connection between human and wild environments due to animal movements and the fact that the rat flea can infest various hosts. As only one specimen of X. cheopis was collected on S. setosus, we hypothesize that flea was carried from the village to forest. Yersinia pestis infection of forest fleas outlines plague circulation in this sylvatic area.
New Records of Phlebotomine Sand Flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) From the Western Brazilian Amazon and the Description of the Female of Pintomyia fiocruzi
Authors: Costa Glaucilene da Silva , Júnior Antonio Marques Pereira , Arley Costa Pessoa Felipe , Shimabukuro Paloma Helena Fernandes , Medeiros Jansen Fernandes 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAn entomological survey was conducted in several localities of Rondônia State, and new records were obtained for seven sand fly species: Evandromyia apurinan Shimabukuro, Figueira & Silva, 2013, Evandromyia carmelinoi (Ryan, Fraiha, Lainson & Shaw, 1986), Micropygomyia echinatopharynx Andrade-Filho, Galati, Andrade & Falcão, 2004, Nyssomyia urbinattii Galati & Galvis, 2012, Pintomyia duckei Oliveira, Alencar & Freitas, 2018, Psathyromyia pradobarrientosi (Le Pont, Matias, Martinez & Dujardin, 2004), and Sciopemyia vattierae (Le Pont & Desjeux, 1992). Herein, we also describe the female of Pintomyia fiocruzi Pereira Júnior, Pessoa, Marivalva & Medeiros, 2019. The female has spermathecae with a detached apical ring similar to the spermathecae of Pintomyia serrana (Damasceno & Arouck, 1949), Pintomyia odax (Fairchild & Hertig, 1961), Pintomyia ottolinai (Ortiz & Scorza, 1963), and Pintomyia robusta (Galati, Cáceres & Le Pont, 1995). Here, we provide characters to separate Pi. fiocruzi from Pi. serrana and Pi. odax. Pintomyia ottolinai has a trans-Andean distribution and Pi. robusta has not been found in Brazil and in our studies, we associated the females found in this study with Pi. fiocruzi males found at the same collection sites. Our findings highlight the importance of entomological fauna surveys and demonstrate the need for taxonomists to study species diversity in Rondônia. This study increases the number of sand fly species recorded in Rondônia to 143.
Effects of Formic Acid on Amblyomma americanum (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Larvae and Nymphs
Authors: Showler Allan T , Dorsey Bailee N , Caesar Ryan M 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Ixodids are blood-feeding ectoparasitic vectors of many disease agents that infect humans, livestock, and wild animals. As ixodid resistance to conventional synthetic acaricides becomes increasingly problematic, natural products are receiving greater attention as possible alternative control tactics. Formic acid, produced by ants, is a commercially available product for fumigating varroa mites, Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman, infesting honey bee, Apis mellifera L., hives, and it has been reported to repel ixodids. Lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), larvae and nymphs were used as a model ixodid to investigate deterrent, repellent, and lethal effects of formic acid as a fumigant and contact toxin in vitro in the laboratory. Although formic acid failed to deter or repel A. americanum, it was highly toxic as a fumigant to larvae at a 1% concentration even when exposure was limited to 5 min. Contact by crawling on wet, moist, and dry treated substrates under ventilated conditions causes &gt;90% mortality to larvae in 5% formic acid concentration treatments within 30–120 min, and temporary immersion killed ≈60% of the larvae by 24 h after they were removed from the 5% formic acid treatment solution. Substantial nymphal mortality occurred after 1–1.5 h following exposure to substrate treated with the 10% concentration and immersion killed ≈45% of the nymphs. It appears that formic acid volatiles are more lethal to A. americanum immatures than direct contact with the external integument.
Anti-HMGCR Antibody-Positive Myopathy Shows Bcl-2-Positive Inflammation and Lymphocytic Accumulations
Authors: Kurashige Takashi , Murao Tomomi , Mine Naoko , Sugiura Tomohito , Inazuka Yukiko , Kuraoka Kazuya , Takahashi Tetsuya , Maruyama Hirofumi , Torii Tsuyoshi 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and antisignal recognition particle (SRP) antibodies are frequently associated with immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM). However, the difference in clinical manifestations between anti-HMGCR and anti-SRP antibodies is unclear. HMGCR is an essential enzyme for cholesterol biosynthesis and is inhibited by statins that regulate apoptosis of Bcl-2-positive and beta chemokine receptor 4 (CCR4)-positive lymphoma cells. In this study, we aimed to clarify Bcl-2 and CCR4 expressions of lymphocytes in anti-HMGCR antibody-positive IMNM and explore the difference between anti-HMGCR antibody-positive myopathy and other inflammatory myopathies. We retrospectively examined Bcl-2- and CCR4-positive lymphocyte infiltrations in muscle and skin biopsy specimens from 19 anti-HMGCR antibody-positive patients and 75 other idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) patients. A higher incidence of Bcl-2- and CCR4-positive lymphocytes was detected in the muscle and skin of anti-HMGCR antibody-positive IMNM patients (p &lt; 0.001). In 5 patients with anti-HMGCR antibodies, Bcl-2-positive lymphocytes formed lymphocytic accumulations, which were not observed in other IIMs. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were not increased except for patients with Bcl-2-positive lymphocytic accumulations (p = 0.010). Bcl-2 and CCR4 lymphocyte infiltrations could be a pathological characteristic of anti-HMGCR antibody-positive IMNM.