bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disentangling the effects of multiple fires on spatially interspersed sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) communities
Authors: Shinneman Douglas J. , McIlroy Susan K. , de Graaff Marie‐Anne 
Published: August 2020

AbstractQuestionsRelative to a landscape with a mosaic of two sagebrush community types and increasing fire frequency, we asked: (a) do vegetation characteristics vary significantly with number of times burned for each sagebrush community; (b) how do vegetation responses to different fire frequencies compare between the two sagebrush communities?LocationColumbia Plateau Ecoregion, Washington, USA.MethodsWe sampled vegetation across a landscape that burned three times over a 10‐year period in two sagebrush community types that are interspersed on unique land forms: big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) communities that occur on small “mounds” and scabland sagebrush (A. rigida) communities that occur on surrounding “flats.” Spatially overlapping fires permitted a balanced sampling design to assess unburned and once‐, twice‐, and thrice‐burned locations for each land form/community type. We utilized a suite of statistical analyses to determine differences among plant functional groups and biomass among unburned/burned strata by land form and compared results between land forms.ResultsBig sagebrush and scabland sagebrush communities responded uniquely to multiple fires, due to different fuel loadings, fire severities, succession and invasion dynamics. Big sagebrush experienced nearly complete shrub loss and conversion from exotic‐invaded shrubland to exotic annual grassland after only one fire. In contrast, scabland sagebrush retained a minor shrub component and higher relative cover of native herbaceous species, even after three fires. Both communities retained cover of native perennial grasses, including shallow‐ and deep‐rooted species, likely reflecting decreasing fire intensity with number of times burned.ConclusionsDespite different community‐level responses, increasing fire frequency is transforming the entire landscape to a non‐native/native grassland mix. Quantifying unique ecosystem responses to altered wildfire regimes is critical to understanding the relative resilience of communities to disturbance and their resistance to exotic species invasion (and community type conversion). Management actions may help to maintain spatial heterogeneity of ecosystems and fire‐tolerant native species.
Using forestry inventories and satellite imagery to assess floristic variation in bamboo‐dominated forests in Peruvian Amazonia
Authors: Chaves Pablo Pérez , Reategui Echeverri Natalia , Ruokolainen Kalle , Kalliola Risto , Van doninck Jasper , Gómez Rivero Elvira , Zuquim Gabriela , Tuomisto Hanna 
Published: August 2020

AbstractQuestionsDoes the floristic composition of trees differ between bamboo forests and adjacent non‐bamboo forests? Can the degree of compositional differences be predicted from differences in canopy reflectance as measured by Landsat satellites? Are the results sensitive to different taxonomical data cleaning strategies, or to which tree‐size class is considered? Are some tree taxa associated with either bamboo or non‐bamboo forests?LocationPeruvian Amazonia.MethodsWe used national forestry inventory data to characterise floristic composition of trees at 25 sites. Bamboo and non‐bamboo forests were identified with a pixel‐based time series analysis using the entire Landsat TM/ETM+ archive. To visualise floristic similarity among the plots, we used non‐metric multidimensional scaling. Floristic differences between bamboo and non‐bamboo forests were tested using an analysis of similarity (ANOSIM). Mantel tests were used to assess correlation between floristic turnover and differences in canopy reflectance. We tested the impact of applying three different taxonomic data cleaning strategies and of analysing different tree‐size classes. Finally, we ran an indicator species analysis to identify taxa that were associated with either bamboo or non‐bamboo forests.ResultsIn floristic ordinations, bamboo‐dominated forests appeared floristically distinct from non‐bamboo forests regardless of the taxonomic cleaning strategy and tree‐size class. This floristic separation was also confirmed through analysis of floristic similarity (ANOSIM). Turnover in floristic composition was strongly correlated with differences in the reflectance values of Landsat bands, especially when using genus‐level rather than species‐level data. Different palm taxa were associated with bamboo (Socratea) and non‐bamboo forests (Iriartea).ConclusionsFloristic differences of trees between bamboo‐dominated and non‐bamboo forests are consistent enough to be observable with different tree‐size classes and taxonomic cleaning strategies. Although coarsening the taxonomic resolution to the genus level may hide ecological detail from the results, the fact that it allows keeping incompletely identified stems in the analyses seems to compensate for this.
Modelling the spatial distribution of selected North American woodland mammals under future climate scenarios
Authors: Deb Jiban Chandra , Forbes Graham , MacLean David A. 
Published: August 2020

Abstract

North America has a diverse array of mammalian species. Model projections indicate significant variations in future climate conditions of North America, and the habitats of woodland mammals of this continent may be particularly sensitive to changes in climate.

We report on the potential spatial distributions of 13 wide‐ranging, relatively common species of North American woodland mammals under future climate scenarios.

We examined the potential influence of the mean and seasonal climate variables on the distribution of species. Presence‐only occurrence records of species, four predictor variables, two future climate scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 and 8.5), and two time steps (current and 2070) were used to build species’ distribution models using a maximum entropy algorithm (MaxEnt).

Our results suggested that overall, 11 of the 13 species are likely to gain climatically suitable space (regions where climate conditions will be similar to those of area currently occupied) at the continental scale, but American marten Martes americana and ‘woodland’ caribou Rangifer tarandus are likely to lose suitable climate range by 2070. Furthermore, climate space is likely to be expanding northwards under future climate scenarios for most of the mammals, and many jurisdictions in the border region between Canada and the USA are likely to lose iconic species, such as moose Alces alces. We identified regions as potential in situ and ex situ climate change refugia, which are increasingly considered to be important for biodiversity conservation.

The model results suggest significant implications for conservation planning for the 13 mammalian species under global climate change, especially at fine spatial scales. Numerous species that are presently common at their southern range edge will be functionally or completely extirpated in 50 years. The potential in situ and ex situ climate change refugia could provide an effective support for adaptive strategies aimed at species conservation planning.
Glucan rich nutrition does not increase gut translocation of beta‐glucan
Authors: Hoenigl Martin , Lin John , Finkelman Malcolm , Zhang Yonglong , Karris Maile Y. , Letendre Scott L. , Ellis Ronald J. , Burke Leah , Richard Byron , Gaufin Thaidra , Isnard Stéphane , Routy Jean‐Pierre , Gianella Sara 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackground(1‐3)‐b‐D‐glucan (BDG) is a fungal cell wall component and, in the absence of invasive fungal infection, a novel biomarker for microbial translocation of endogenous fungal products from the gastrointestinal tract into systemic circulation. However, its value as a marker of fungal translocation is limited by a concern that plant BDG‐rich food influences blood BDG levels.MethodsWe conducted a pilot clinical trial to evaluate the impact of a standardised oral BDG challenge on blood BDG levels in participants with and without elevated microbial translocation. We enrolled 14 participants including 8 with HIV infection, 2 with advanced liver cirrhosis, and 4 healthy controls. After obtaining a baseline blood sample, participants received a standardised milkshake containing high levels of BDG followed by serial blood samples up to 8 hours after intake.ResultsThe standardised oral BDG challenge approach did not change the blood BDG levels over time in all participants. We found consistently elevated blood BDG levels in one participant with advanced liver cirrhosis and a single person with HIV with a low CD4 count of 201 cells/mm3.ConclusionOur findings indicate that BDG blood levels were not influenced by plant origin BDG‐rich nutrition in PWH, people with advanced liver cirrhosis, or healthy controls.Future studies are needed to analyse gut mycobiota populations in individuals with elevated blood BDG levels.
Genotyping of Russian isolates of fungal pathogen Trichophyton rubrum, based on simple sequence repeat and single nucleotide polymorphism
Authors: Pchelin Ivan M. , Mochalov Yuri V. , Azarov Daniil V. , Romanyuk Sofya A. , Chilina Galina A. , Vybornova Irina V. , Bogdanova Tatiyana V. , Zlatogursky Vasily V. , Apalko Svetlana V. , Vasilyeva Natalia V. , Taraskina Anastasia E. 
Published: August 2020

SummaryBackgroundThe Trichophyton rubrum species group consists of prevalent causative agents of human skin, nail and hair infections, including T rubrum sensu stricto and T violaceum, as well as other less well‐established or debatable taxa like T soudanense, T kuryangei and T megninii. Our previous study provided limited evidence in favour of the existence of two genetic lineages in the Russian T rubrum sensu stricto population.ObjectivesWe aimed to study the genetic structure of the Russian population of T rubrum and to identify factors shaping this structure.MethodsWe analysed the polymorphism of 12 simple sequence repeat (SSR or microsatellite) markers and single nucleotide polymorphism in the TERG_02941 protein‐coding gene in 70 T rubrum isolates and performed a phylogenomic reconstruction.ResultsAll three types of data provided conclusive evidence that the population consists of two genetic lineages. Clustering, performed by means of microsatellite length polymorphism analysis, was strongly dependent on the number of nucleotide repeats in the 5’‐area of the fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphate aldolase gene. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) on the basis of SSR typing data indicated that 22%‐48% of the variability was among groups within T rubrum. There was no clear connection of population structure with types of infection, places of geographic origin, aldolase gene expression or urease activity.ConclusionOur results suggest that the Russian population of T rubrum consists of two cosmopolitan genetic lineages.
Variations in ribosomal DNA copy numbers in a genome of Trichophyton interdigitale
Authors: Iwanaga Tomoyuki , Anzawa Kazushi , Mochizuki Takashi 
Published: August 2020

SummaryBackgroundRibosomal DNA (rDNA) reportedly has multiple copies in the fungal genome. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region in rDNA is useful for investigating relationships between close taxonomic relatives. Thus, ITS has been widely used as a target gene in medical mycology for the detection of pathogenic fungi and identification of fungal species. However, the rDNA copy number in a genome of Trichophyton interdigitale, the pathogen causing dermatophytosis, currently remains unknown.ObjectiveClarification of the rDNA copy number in a genome of T. interdigitale.MethodsrDNA copy numbers in 64 clinical isolates of T. interdigitale were examined using quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) with the absolute quantitative method targeting TruMDR2, a single‐copy control gene and the ITS region in rDNA.ResultsThe copy numbers of the rDNA subunit varied among the 64 strains tested, from 24 to 116 copies per genome. The average rDNA copy number ± standard deviation was 59 ± 16. No correlations were observed between the rDNA copy number and colony colour, colony morphology or molecular type of the non‐transcribed spacer region in rDNA. Experiments on rDNA copy numbers obtained from independent colonies of each strain in single‐spore cultures revealed that the copy number was homogeneous within each strain.ConclusionThis is the first study to estimate copy numbers of the rDNA subunit in a genome of T. interdigitale. The rDNA copy number of T. interdigitale varied among the strains tested and was homogeneous within each strain.
Heterochromatic silencing is reinforced by ARID1‐mediated small RNA movement in Arabidopsis pollen
Authors: Wu Wenye , Li Lei , Zhao Yi , Zhao Youshang , Jiang Ting , McCormick Sheila , Zheng Binglian 
Published: August 2020

Summary

In the plant male germline, transposable elements (TEs) are reactivated in the companion vegetative nucleus, resulting in siRNA production and the intercellular movement of these siRNAs to reinforce TE silencing in sperm. However, the mechanism by which siRNA movement is regulated remains unexplored.

Here we show that ARID1, a transcription factor which is constitutively expressed in the vegetative nucleus but dynamically accumulates in the generative cell (the progenitor of sperm) to promote the second pollen mitosis, mediates siRNA movement to reinforce heterochromatic silencing in the male germline.

We looked for regulators involved in the accumulation of ARID1 in the generative cell, and found that AGO9, a germline‐specific AGO in Arabidopsis, is required for the accumulation of ARID1 in the generative cell. Mutations in either ARID1 or AGO9 lead to the interruption of not only the second pollen mitosis but also the movement of siRNA from the vegetative nucleus to the male germline, resulting in the release of heterochromatic silencing in the male germline. Moreover, conditional knockdown of ARID1 in the generative cell causes reduced heterochromatic silencing in both bicellular and mature pollen.

This study provides insights into how a spatiotemporal transcription factor coordinates heterochromatic silencing and male germline maturation.
Inflammatory conditions of the esophagus: an update
Authors: Lisovsky Mikhail 
Published: August 2020

AbstractA variety of inflammatory disorders involve the esophagus. This commentary discusses the pathology of some forms of esophagitis, with an emphasis on recent developments. The initial section focuses on some common forms of nonreflux esophagitis, including lymphocytic esophagitis and eosinophilic esophagitis. Recent studies suggest that lymphocytic esophagitis may be associated with esophageal motility disorders and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Immunophenotypic features of intraepithelial lymphocytes may be helpful in distinguishing these conditions. Updates on the criteria and the limitations of histologic approach to the diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis are presented and new diagnostic adjuncts are discussed. In the remaining section, novel entities, such as IgG4‐related esophagitis, are discussed. IgG4‐related esophagitis has been recognized as a cause of esophageal lymphoplasmacytic inflammation. Increased understanding of esophageal inflammation remains an important goal that likely will lead to new approaches in the therapy of inflammatory esophageal diseases.
Recent advances in minimally invasive esophagectomy for squamous esophageal cancer
Authors: Yip Hon Chi , Shirakawa Yasuhiro , Cheng Ching‐Yuan , Huang Chang‐Lun , Chiu Philip Wai Yan 
Published: August 2020

AbstractOver the past decade there has been tremendous development in the clinical application of minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) for the treatment of squamous esophageal carcinoma. The major challenges in the performance of MIE include limitations in visualization and manipulation within the confined, rigid thoracic cavity; the need for adequate patient positioning and anesthetic techniques to accommodate the surgical exposure; and changes in the surgical steps for achieving radical nodal dissection, especially for the superior mediastinum. The surgical procedure for MIE is more and more standardized, and there is an increasing practice of MIE worldwide. Randomized trials and meta‐analyses have confirmed the advantages of MIE over open esophagectomy, including a significantly lower rate of complications and shorter hospital stays. The recent application of robotics technologies for MIE has further enhanced the quality and safety of the surgical dissection, while intraoperative nerve monitoring has contributed to a lower rate of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. With the application of new technologies, we expect further improvement in surgical outcomes for MIE in the treatment of squamous esophageal cancer.
Global prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight in children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder, attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Yong‐Jiang , Xie Xue‐Ni , Lei Xue , Li Ya‐Min , Lei Xianyang 
Published: August 2020

SummaryIndividuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have unhealthy bodyweight. This meta‐analysis was performed to understand the weight status in individuals with ASD or ADHD. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane and ISI Web of Science databases were searched from inception until June 2020 to identify relevant studies. Prevalence estimates and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of obesity, overweight and underweight were separately pooled using random‐effects models. A total of 95 studies were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled estimates of the prevalence of obesity, overweight and underweight were 21.8%, 19.8% and 6.4% in individuals with ASD and 14.7%, 20.9% and 4.0% in individuals with ADHD. In subgroup analyses, an increasing trend in the prevalence of unhealthy weight was observed from children aged 2 to 5 years to adults with ASD (obesity: from 16.7% to 31.3%, overweight: from 16.2% to 27.2%, underweight from 5.3% to 8.6%) and from children aged 6 to 12 years to adults with ADHD (obesity: from 13.5% to 19.3%, overweight: from 18.8% to 31.2%). The worrisome epidemic of obesity and overweight in individuals with ASD, ADHD highlighted the need for weight management.
Effects of intraoperative dexmedetomidine on the incidence of acute kidney injury in pediatric cardiac surgery patients: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kim Eun‐Hee , Lee Ji‐Hyun , Kim Hee‐Soo , Jang Young‐Eun , Ji Sang‐Hwan , Kim Woong‐Han , Kwak Jae Gun , Kim Jin‐Tae 
Published: August 2020

AbstractBackgroundPerioperative dexmedetomidine use has been reported to reduce the incidence of postoperative acute kidney injury after adult cardiac surgery. However, large‐scale randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of dexmedetomidine use on acute kidney injury in pediatric patients are lacking.AimsWe investigated whether intraoperative dexmedetomidine could reduce the incidence of acute kidney injury in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.MethodsIn total, 141 pediatric patients were randomly assigned to dexmedetomidine or control groups. After anesthetic induction, patients in the dexmedetomidine group were administered 1 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine over 10 minutes and an additional 0.5 µg/kg/h of dexmedetomidine during surgery. Additionally, 1 µg/kg of dexmedetomidine was infused immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass was initiated. The incidence of acute kidney injury was defined following Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes guidelines.ResultsThe final analysis included 139 patients. The incidence of acute kidney injury did not differ between dexmedetomidine and control groups (16.9% vs 23.5%; odds ratio 0.661; 95% CI 0.285 to 1.525; P = .33). Similarly, neither the incidence of abnormal postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate values (P = .96) nor the incidence of arrhythmia, mechanical ventilation duration, length of stay in the intensive care unit, and hospitalization differed between the two groups.ConclusionsIntraoperative dexmedetomidine did not reduce acute kidney injury incidence in pediatric cardiac surgery patients.
Pathogenicity variation and DNA polymorphism ofBipolaris sorokinianainfecting winter wheat in the Huanghuai floodplain of China
Authors: Kang Ruijiao , Hu Yanfeng , Wang Limin , Xie Shunpei , Li Yonghui , Yuan Hongxia , Wang Min , Chen Linlin , Ding Shengli , Li Honglian 
Published: August 2020

AbstractWheat root rot, caused byBipolaris sorokiniana, has led to severe losses of wheat products worldwide. To evaluate the pathogenicity and genetic variation ofB.sorokiniana, diseased wheat samples were collected from 97 locations in the Huanghuai floodplain of China in 2014 and 2015 for analysis. A total of 673 isolates were obtained, 262 of which were identified asB.sorokiniana. Pathogenicity analysis of the isolates revealed variation in pathogenicity, which was not directly correlated with geographic region. Large variations in pathogenicity were also found within geographic groups. To determine the genetic structure of the populations, PCR was performed with universal rice primers (URP). Cluster analysis based on amplification patterns showed that the classified groups were correlated with geographical regions. Thus, analysis of the genetic diversity of the population indicated a negative correlation with geographic origin, that is, the greater the distance between sites, the lower the genetic variation similarity coefficient. Identification of wheat germplasm resistance showed that resistant cultivars accounted for a low percentage, while susceptible and highly susceptible cultivars were in the majority. Overall, these results are meaningful for developing strategies to prevent and control wheat root rot.
Patients' experiences of everyday living before and after transcatheter aortic valve implantation
Authors: Lysell Eva , Wolf Axel 
Published: August 2020

BackgroundAortic stenosis (AS) is the most common valvular disease in western countries. Unless treated, it is associated with a poor prognosis. Surgical aortic valve replacement, the gold‐standard approach, aims to increase survival and improve quality of life. In recent years, though, transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become the treatment of choice in elderly, high‐risk patients who are denied open surgery. To date, however, little is known about their personal psychological experience after undergoing TAVI.AimThis study aimed to explore patients’ experiences during everyday life before and after TAVI.MethodAltogether, 14 elderly Swedish patients (9 women, 5 men), treated with TAVI, were interviewed between 2 and 6 months after the implantation. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsAnalysis of the participants’ experiences was divided into two domains: before and after, that is, life with AS vs. life after TAVI. From these domains, four categories were derived: (1) adapting to the deteriorating self; (2) feeling disconnected; (3) reconstruction of self; and (4) processing disappointment.ConclusionsTranscatheter aortic valve implantation involves not only adding years to life but also adding life to years. The urge to live an autonomous life in a social context with others is an important argument for undergoing a TAVI procedure. Despite severe illness and demanding rehabilitation, elderly TAVI patients have the ability to regain independence and rebuild their lives when they base their decision to undergo TAVI on personal goals. These findings might be helpful when implementing person‐centred care.