bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Changing ecological communities along an elevation gradient in seasonally dry tropical forest on Hispaniola (Sierra Martín García, Dominican Republic)
Authors: Franklin Janet , Majure Lucas C. , Encarnación Yuley , Clase Teodoro , Almonte‐Espinosa Hodali , Landestoy Miguel , Kratter Andrew W. , Oswald Jessica A. , Soltis Douglas E. , Terrill Ryan S. , Steadman David W. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe report the results of systematic vascular plant and bird surveys in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest (SDTF) across leeward and windward elevation gradients (31–884 masl) in the Sierra Martín García (SMG), Dominican Republic. We expected to see gradual, systematic changes in plant distributions with elevation owing to the strong effect of topoclimate. In contrast, we predicted bird community composition to be related only weakly to elevation, because we expected bird distributions to be more strongly related to vegetation structure than composition. Based on 48 vegetation transects, we identified seven groups that differed in their species composition, which was correlated with elevation and precipitation. The most distinctive vegetation community occurs in dry, warm, and low elevations on the leeward slope, featuring large numbers of non‐woody indicator species (those species found frequently within one group but not in other groups) even though most of its trees and shrubs represent species that are widespread. Low rainfall and shale bedrock (rather than limestone) may be the primary drivers of distinctiveness in the low‐elevation leeward plots. On the leeward slope, where we also surveyed the birds, the vegetation community changes gradually with elevation at mid‐ to high elevations. The most distinctive bird community also was associated with the low‐elevation forest on shale bedrock and was dominated by widespread species. At higher elevations, but still within leeward SDTF, the bird communities had a stronger component of species endemic either to Hispaniola or to Caribbean islands, and species turnover did not correspond to the elevation gradient.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.
Incisional hernia rate after ileostomy closure in lateral pararectal stoma versus transrectal stoma placement: follow‐up of the randomized PATRASTOM trial
Authors: Seyfried S. , Lucas V. , Galata C. , Reißfelder C. , Weiß C. , Kienle P. , Hardt J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAimBecause damage to the rectus abdominis muscle during ileostomy placement and reversal might be a risk factor for the development of stoma‐site incisional hernia (SSIH), we hypothesized that positioning of the stoma lateral to the rectus abdominis muscle might prevent SSIH.MethodTo investigate whether a lateral pararectal stoma position lowers the incidence of SSIH in comparison with a transrectal position, a follow‐up study of the PATRASTOM trial, which had randomized stoma placement (lateral pararectal versus transrectal), was conducted. All former participants were invited simultaneously for a follow‐up visit in September 2016, 2 years after database closure of the PATRASTOM trial. For patients who were not able to attend the follow‐up, the electronic chart as well as MRI/CT scans were reviewed with regard to the presence of SSIH.ResultsFollow‐up – either clinical or radiological – was available for 47 of the 60 PATRASTOM participants. The median duration of follow‐up was 3.4 years (interquartile range 3.0–4.1 years). SSIH occurred in 3 of 23 patients (13.0%) in the lateral pararectal group compared with 7 of 24 patients (29.2%) in the transrectal group (P = 0.287). Four of the 10 patients diagnosed with SSIH had already undergone or were scheduled for hernia repair. Of the patient and procedure characteristics which may have an impact on the development of incisional hernia none was a significant risk factor for SSIH.ConclusionIn the present follow‐up study, no difference in the incidence of SSIH was found between lateral pararectal and transrectal stoma construction in an elective setting.
Assessment and significance of sarcopenia in liver transplantation
Authors: Nam Nguyen Hai , Kaido Toshimi , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSarcopenia frequently occurs in cirrhotic patients who are waiting for liver transplantation (LT). This disease is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates during the LT period. Recently, the careful assessment of nutritional status for end‐stage liver disease patients has received a great deal of attention; hence, numerous methods of evaluating sarcopenia have been proposed. However, most of the methods have limitations, including a lack of objectivity, reproducibility, and ability to discriminate prognoses. In addition, many reports suggest that sarcopenia be used as an adjustment factor for the selection criteria of LT and that sarcopenia be incorporated into the selection criteria for living donor LT in our center. In this article, based on a literature review, we aim to identify the current definition of sarcopenia, the available methods of measurement, the potential novel interventions for the treatment of malnutrition and the significance of sarcopenia in LT.
Italian consensus on treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis
Authors: Comi G. , Solari A. , Leocani L. , Centonze D. , Otero‐Romero S. ,   the Italian Consensus Group on treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis
Published: October 2019

BackgroundSpasticity is a frequent multifactorial manifestation of multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting mostly the chronic courses of the disease. Its impact on patient functioning and quality of life is profound. Treatment of spasticity includes oral and intrathecal anti‐spastic drugs, muscle injections with relaxant agents, physical therapy, electrical and magnetic stimulation and peripheral nerve stimulation, alone or in various combinations.MethodsThis Italian consensus on the treatment of spasticity in MS was produced by a large group of Italian MS experts in collaboration with neurophysiologists, experts in the production of guidelines and patients’ representatives operating under the umbrella of the Italian Neurological Society, the Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla and the European Charcot Foundation. This guideline was developed in accordance with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A total of 11 questions were formulated following the PICO framework (patients, intervention, comparator, outcome). Controlled studies only were included in the analysis.ResultsDespite some consistent limitations due to the poor methodological quality of most studies, there was a consensus on a strong recommendation for the use of intrathecal baclofen, oromucosal spray of nabiximols and intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin. The level of recommendation was weak for oral baclofen, tizanidine, gabapentin, benzodiazepines and transcranial magnetic stimulation.ConclusionsThere is a clear need for new larger multicentre well‐designed clinical trials with a duration that allows the persistence of the effects and the long‐term safety of the interventions to be evaluated.
The G119S ace‐1 mutation confers adaptive organophosphate resistance in a nontarget amphipod
Authors: Major Kaley M. , Weston Donald P. , Lydy Michael J. , Huff Hartz Kara E. , Wellborn Gary A. , Manny Austin R. , Poynton Helen C. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractOrganophosphate (OP) and carbamate (CM) insecticides are widely used in the United States and share the same mode of toxic action. Both classes are frequently documented in aquatic ecosystems, sometimes at levels that exceed aquatic life benchmarks. We previously identified a population of the nontarget amphipod, Hyalella azteca, thriving in an agricultural creek with high sediment levels of the OP chlorpyrifos, suggesting the population may have acquired genetic resistance to the pesticide. In the present study, we surveyed 17 populations of H. azteca in California to screen for phenotypic resistance to chlorpyrifos as well as genetic signatures of resistance in the acetylcholinesterase (ace‐1) gene. We found no phenotypic chlorpyrifos resistance in populations from areas with little or no pesticide use. However, there was ~3‐ to 1,000‐fold resistance in H. azteca populations from agricultural and/or urban areas, with resistance levels in agriculture being far higher than urban areas due to greater ongoing use of OP and CM pesticides. In every case of resistance in H. azteca, we identified a glycine‐to‐serine amino acid substitution (G119S) that has been shown to confer OP and CM resistance in mosquitoes and has been associated with resistance in other insects. We found that the G119S mutation was always present in a heterozygous state. Further, we provide tentative evidence of an ace‐1 gene duplication in H. azteca that may play a role in chlorpyrifos resistance in some populations. The detection of a genetically based, adaptive OP and CM resistance in some of the same populations of H. azteca previously shown to harbor a genetically based adaptive pyrethroid resistance indicates that these nontarget amphipod populations have become resistant to many of the insecticides now in common use. The terrestrial application of pesticides has provided strong selective pressures to drive evolution in a nontarget, aquatic species.
Oceanographic drivers of petrale sole recruitment in the California Current Ecosystem
Authors: Haltuch Melissa A. , Tolimieri Nick , Lee Qi , Jacox Michael G. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates environmental drivers of U.S. West Coast petrale sole (Eopsetta jordani) recruitment as an initial step toward developing an environmental recruitment index that can inform the stock assessment in the absence of survey observations of age‐0 and age‐1 fish. First, a conceptual life history approach is used to generate life‐stage‐specific and spatio‐temporally specific mechanistic hypotheses regarding oceanographic variables that likely influence survival at each life stage. Seven life history stages are considered, from female spawner condition through benthic recruitment as observed in the Northwest Fisheries Science Center West Coast Groundfish Bottom Trawl Survey (age‐2 fish). The study area encompasses the region from 40 to 48°N in the California Current Ecosystem. Hypotheses are tested using output from a regional ocean reanalysis model outputs and model selection techniques. Four oceanographic variables explained 73% of the variation in recruitment not accounted for by estimates based exclusively on the spawning stock size. Recruitment deviations were (a) positively correlated with degree days during the female precondition period, (b) positively correlated with mixed‐layer depth during the egg stage, (c) negatively correlated with cross‐shelf transport during the larval stage, and (d) negatively correlated with cross‐shelf transport during the benthic juvenile stage. While multiple mechanisms likely affect petrale sole recruitment at different points during their life history, the strength of the relationship is promising for stock assessment and integrated ecosystem assessment applications.
Effects of a water‐based exercise program on disability prevention in older Japanese adults
Authors: Iwasaka Chiharu , Sakamoto Maiko , Mitsutake Tsubasa , Horikawa Etsuo 
Published: October 2019

AimThis study aimed to evaluate the potential preventive effects of a water‐based exercise program on disability in community‐dwelling older adults.MethodsThe study design was a propensity score‐matched retrospective study. Older adults were contacted through a mail survey carried out by City Hall, and those who scored ≥3 points on the physical domain of the Kihon Checklist were encouraged to participate in the water‐based exercise program. The program consisted of aerobic and walking exercises in the water for 1 h, once a week for 6 months. Propensity scores were used to match individuals who participated in the exercise program with control individuals based on age, sex, height, weight, body mass index and Kihon Checklist score. Among matched pairs, the study included 278 participants (control group 139, intervention group 139). The main outcome was the number of participants who received a new long‐term care insurance certification during the first follow‐up year, which was used to indicate disability.ResultsOf the 278, 13 participants (5.5%) required long‐term care insurance certification. A significantly smaller proportion of intervention group members required long‐term care insurance certification (intervention group 0.7% [1/139 participants] vs control group 8.6% [12/139 participants], P = 0.003).ConclusionsWater‐based exercise program appears to effectively prevent disability in community‐dwelling older adults. Because water‐based exercise program is associated with a minimal burden on joints and lower risk of falling, it might particularly enable the prevention of disability in older adults with chronic pain and restricted mobility. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 1282–1288.
Single‐cell study of neural stem cells derived from human iPSCs reveals distinct progenitor populations with neurogenic and gliogenic potential
Authors: Lam Matti , Sanosaka Tsukasa , Lundin Anders , Imaizumi Kent , Etal Damla , Karlsson Fredrik H. , Clausen Maryam , Cairns Jonathan , Hicks Ryan , Kohyama Jun , Kele Malin , Okano Hideyuki , Falk Anna 
Published: October 2019

AbstractWe used single‐cell RNA sequencing (seq) on several human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell‐derived neural stem cell (NSC) lines and one fetal brain‐derived NSC line to study inherent cell type heterogeneity at proliferating neural stem cell stage and uncovered predisposed presence of neurogenic and gliogenic progenitors. We observed heterogeneity in neurogenic progenitors that differed between the iPS cell‐derived NSC lines and the fetal‐derived NSC line, and we also observed differences in spontaneous differentiation potential for inhibitory and excitatory neurons between the iPS cell‐derived NSC lines and the fetal‐derived NSC line. In addition, using a recently published glia patterning protocol we enriched for gliogenic progenitors and generated glial cells from an iPS cell‐derived NSC line.
Glutamine synthetase promotes tumor invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma through mediating epithelial–mesenchymal transition
Authors: Liu Peng , Lu Di , Al‐ameri Abdulahad , Wei Xuyong , Ling Sunbin , Li Jie , Zhu Hai , Xie Haiyang , Zhu Liming , Zheng Shusen , Xu Xiao 
Published: October 2019

AimGlutamine synthetase (GS) levels increase gradually with the development of hepatocellular carcinogenesis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical significance of GS and the underlying mechanism of GS promoting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) invasion.MethodsSerum concentration of GS and α‐fetoprotein (AFP) in HCC patients, liver cirrhosis patients, and healthy individuals were detected. The GS‐mRNA level and its prognostic value were explored in an independent HCC cohort from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. GS expression in HCC tissue and matched para‐tumor tissue was determined. The effect of GS on HCC invasion was assessed in vitro and in vivo.ResultsThe serum GS and AFP level in HCC patients was higher than that in healthy controls and liver cirrhosis patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for HCC diagnosis was 0.848 and 0.861 for GS and AFP, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of GS for diagnosis of AFP‐negative HCC was 0.913. Combining GS with AFP achieved a diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of 82.5% and 93%, respectively. The GS level was higher in tumor tissues than that in para‐tumor tissues. High GS expression was associated with poor prognosis of moderately differentiated HCC patients. In vitro, GS exerted an influence on HCC cell migration by mediating epithelial–mesenchymal transition. The lung and liver metastatic model of HCC further confirmed that GS expression affected the invasion of HCC cells in vivo.ConclusionsGS is a useful biomarker for HCC diagnosis, especially for AFP‐negative patients. In addition, GS affects HCC metastasis through mediating epithelial–mesenchymal transition.
Peculiar pathological, radiological and clinical features of skull‐base de‐differentiated chordomas. Results from a referral centre case–series and literature review
Authors: Asioli Sofia , Zoli Matteo , Guaraldi Federica , Sollini Giacomo , Bacci Antonella , Gibertoni Dino , Ricci Costantino , Morandi Luca , Pasquini Ernesto , Righi Alberto , Mazzatenta Diego 
Published: October 2019

AimsDe‐differentiated chordoma is an uncommon and incompletely characterised aggressive neoplasm. Only a few cases originating from the skull base have been reported.Methods and resultsAll consecutive cases of skull‐base de‐differentiated chordomas treated surgically in a referral centre from January 1990 to June 2019 were retrospectively evaluated to assess peculiar pathological, radiological and clinical features. Patient data were retrieved from paper and electronic records. Six cases (two male, four female; mean age at surgery = 46 years, range = 35–64), treated surgically at our institution were identified. Transformation to de‐differentiated chordomas occurred after radiation therapy in three cases (mean = 13.6 years after treatment, range = 5–25), two during tumour progression, while one was de‐novo. Magnetic resonance imaging and surgical examination revealed the presence of two different tumour components, corresponding to the conventional and de‐differentiated portion on histological examination. The de‐novo case presented a PIK3CA mutation. DNA methylation analysis revealed consistent epigenetic changes in TERT, MAGEA11 and UXT. Prognosis was poor, as five of six patients died after surgery and radiation therapy, with a mean overall survival of 29 months (range = 11–52).ConclusionsSkull‐base de‐differentiated chordomas are extremely rare and aggressive neoplasms with characteristic magnetic resonance imaging, surgical and histological features. Therefore, an early and accurate histological diagnosis is of paramount relevance. Molecular analysis appears promising to define mechanisms involved in tumour de‐differentiation.
A study on ion‐exchanged, soda‐lime glass’s residual stress relationship with K+/Na+ concentration
Authors: Sun Huan , Dugnani Roberto 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn the past, studies have shown that the chemical composition within the exchanged layer could influence both the stress build‐up magnitude and the stress relaxation rate. In this work, a novel approach was proposed to estimate the relationship between the stress relaxation parameters, the dilation coefficient, and the relative K+/Na+ concentration. The proposed method required knowledge of the residual stress profiles, the molten salt bath's temperature and soaking time, and the bath's composition. Based on the analyses performed on various residual stress profiles in ion‐exchanged soda‐lime glass, both the dilation coefficient and the magnitudes of the relaxation time constants were found to consistently decrease with K2O concentration.
Comparison of suspension MDCK cells, adherent MDCK cells, and LLC‐MK2 cells for selective isolation of influenza viruses to be used as vaccine seeds
Authors: Harada Yuichi , Takahashi Hitoshi , Trusheim Heidi , Roth Bernhard , Mizuta Katsumi , Hirata‐Saito Asumi , Ogane Teruko , Odagiri Takato , Tashiro Masato , Yamamoto Norio 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundCell‐based influenza vaccines can solve the problem of the frequent occurrence of egg adaptation–associated antigenic changes observed in egg‐based vaccines. Seed viruses for cell‐based vaccines can be prepared from clinical specimens by cell culture; however, clinical samples risk harboring respiratory viruses other than influenza virus. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the patterns of co‐infection in clinical samples and explore whether cell culture technology can selectively propagate influenza viruses from samples containing other respiratory viruses.MethodsA total of 341 clinical specimens were collected from patients with influenza or influenza‐like illness and analyzed by ResPlex II assay to detect 18 respiratory viruses. The patterns of co‐infection were statistically analyzed with Fisher's exact test. The samples with double or triple infections were passaged in suspension MDCK cells (MDCK‐S), adherent MDCK cells (MDCK‐A), and LLC‐MK2D cells. Cell‐passaged samples were analyzed by ResPlex II assay again to investigate whether each cell line could amplify influenza viruses and eliminate other respiratory viruses.ResultsDouble infections were detected in 8.5% and triple infections in 0.9% of the collected clinical specimens. We identified four pairs of viruses with significant correlation. For all samples with double and triple infection, MDCK‐S and MDCK‐A could selectively propagate influenza viruses, while eliminating all contaminating viruses. In contrast, LLC‐MK2D showed lower isolation efficiency for influenza virus and higher isolation efficiency for coxsackievirus/echovirus than MDCK‐S and MDCK‐A.ConclusionsBoth MDCK‐S and MDCK‐A are considered suitable for the preparation of influenza vaccine seed viruses without adventitious agents or egg‐adaptation mutations.
Relationship between aqueous chemistry and composition, structure, and solubility of sodium aluminosilicate hydrates
Authors: Williamson Trevor , Katz Lynn E. , Han Joonkyoung , Dobbs Howard A. , Chmelka Bradley F. , Sant Gaurav , Juenger Maria C. G. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractInorganic polymer binders (IPBs) are synthesized by the activation of aluminosilicate precursors with an alkaline solution such as sodium hydroxide. This paper studies the relationship between the composition, structure, and solubility of sodium aluminosilicate hydrates (N–A–S–(H)), the primary binding phase in IPBs. It was found that changing the aqueous Si/Al ratio had little effect on N–A–S–(H) Si/Al ratio, but small changes in the aqueous Si/Na ratio led to substantial changes in N–A–S–(H) Si/Al ratio. Early N–A–S–(H) products were found to be X‐ray amorphous, but a rapid transition to the crystalline phase faujasite occurred after several weeks of aging. The transition of the solid amorphous phase to faujasite was accompanied by a rapid drop in aqueous Si(IV) and Al(III) concentrations. Solubility products were determined, temporally, for the N–A–S–(H) before and after the transition to faujasite and represent new contributions to the literature, particularly for the amorphous state. The results presented here provide fundamental insights that are needed for the development of kinetic and thermodynamic models that can establish phase balances and evolutions of IPBs across a range of precursor compositions and synthesis conditions.