bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prolonged P‐wave duration in sinus rhythm pre‐ablation is associated with atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Pranata Raymond , Yonas Emir , Vania Rachel 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIntroductionA prolonged P‐wave duration (PWD) in sinus rhythm pre‐ablation has been hypothesized to be a non‐invasive ECG marker associated with increased atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). This systematic review and meta‐analysis will assess the latest evidence on the association of prolonged PWD pre‐ablation with AF recurrence after PVI.HypothesisProlonged PWD pre‐ablation is associated with AF recurrence after PVI.MethodsThe inclusion criteria for this study are all cohort studies that assess prolonged PWD on ECG during sinus rhythm pre‐ablation and its association with AF recurrence in post‐PVI patients.ResultsThere were 1,482 patients with AF post‐PVI from twelve cohort studies. The cut‐off points for prolonged PWD ranges from >120 ms to >150 ms. Meta‐analysis on six studies showed a pooled mean difference of PWD in subjects with recurrent AF and non‐recurring AF was 12.54 ms [8.76–16.31], p < 0.001; I2 78%. Pooled odds ratio was 4.17 [2.10–8.31], p < 0.001; I2 72% and pooled hazard ratio was 1.93 [1.10–3.39], p = 0.02; I2 80%. Upon subgroup analysis, the association between prolonged PWD and AF recurrence was significant in signal‐averaged ECG, 12‐lead ECG, paroxysmal AF, >120–130 ms, and >140–150 ms PWD cut‐off point subgroups.ConclusionThese findings suggest that prolonged PWD with a cutoff of >120 ms to >150 ms in sinus rhythm before ablation may be associated with AF recurrence after PVI regardless of age, gender, left atrial size, and the presence of structural heart disease. We also encouraged further studies that investigate predicting models to include prolonged PWD as one of their parameters.
State Discourses of Indigenous “Inclusion”: Identity and Representation in the Arctic
Authors: Medby Ingrid A. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractArctic decision‐making processes are often praised for including Indigenous peoples. Yet, state practices of “inclusion” may also inadvertently delimit what can be meaningfully said from a stage already set for a highly specific role as “Arctic voices”. This paper draws on reflections offered by Norwegian and Icelandic state personnel on the meanings of Arctic statehood and identity, showing how often well‐meaning attempts to “include” may serve the includer more than the included—indeed, may serve to uphold the same power structures they seemingly seek to improve. In so doing, the paper contributes both to understandings of Arctic statecraft and to work seeking the “peopling” of geopolitical concepts such as the state. By focusing on the operation of dominant discourses, the paper argues that current prescribed performances of “inclusion” are not enough in a region marked by histories of dispossession, assimilation, and colonisation.
Near‐infrared image‐guided laparoscopic omental flap for breast cancer
Authors: Park Shin‐Hoo , Suh Yun‐Suhk , Park Ji‐Ho , Kim Tae‐Han , Son Young‐Gil , Huh Yeon‐Ju , Kim Yumi , Lee Han‐Byoel , Kong Seong‐Ho , Lee Hyuk‐Joon , Han Wonshik , Yang Han‐Kwang 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundNear‐infrared (NIR) imaging with indocyanine green (ICG)‐enhanced fluorescence is widely used in laparoscopic surgery. This study aimed to evaluate this technique's feasibility and usefulness in intraoperatively assessing vascular perfusion in a laparoscopically harvested omental flap.Materials and Surgical TechniquesFrom March 2015 to February 2016, we prospectively evaluated patients undergoing breast cancer surgery followed by immediate breast reconstruction using a laparoscopically harvested omental flap. After laparoscopic preparation of the pedicled graft, the perfusion area of the omental graft was evaluated by using intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography and NIR imaging with intravenous ICG injection. Graft viability was evaluated by using Doppler ultrasonography 2 days postoperatively; for cosmetic outcome, Breast Cancer Conservative Treatment Cosmetic Results software was used 1 month postoperatively.DiscussionThe laparoscopic harvesting of an omental flap was successfully performed in eight patients without conversion to open surgery. The mean time to the initial detection of ICG‐enhanced fluorescence uptake was 3.25 ± 1.16 minutes. On intraoperative Doppler ultrasonography, a pulseless area ≥10% was detected in five patients (62.5%). However, NIR imaging revealed no patients had an ischemic portion ≥10%. There were no ICG‐related intraoperative or postoperative complications. All patients showed patent vessels on Doppler ultrasonography 2 days postoperatively. Cosmetic outcomes were mostly favorable 1 month postoperatively. The Breast Cancer Conservative Treatment Cosmetic Results evaluation 1 month postoperatively showed excellent, good, and fair results, with no poor scores. With regard to vascular perfusion, ICG‐enhanced NIR imaging is a feasible and useful tool for harvesting a laparoscopic omental flap in breast cancer patients.
Seasonal differences in rumen bacterial flora of wild Hokkaido sika deer and partial characterization of an unknown bacterial group possibly involved in fiber digestion in winter
Authors: Yamano Hidehisa , Ichimura Yasuhiro , Sawabe Yoshihiko , Koike Satoshi , Suzuki Yutaka , Kobayashi Yasuo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractRumen digesta was obtained from wild Hokkaido sika deer to compare bacterial flora between summer and winter. Bacterial flora was characterized with molecular‐based approaches and enrichment cultivation. Bacteroidetes was shown as a major phylum followed by Firmicutes, with similar proportions in both seasons. However, two phylogenetically unique groups in Bacteroidetes were found in each season: unknown group A in winter and unknown group B in summer. The ruminal abundance of unknown group A was the highest followed by Ruminococcus flavefaciens in winter. Moreover, the abundance of these two was higher in winter than in summer. In contrast, the abundance of unknown group B was higher in summer than in winter. In addition, this group showed the highest abundance in summer among the bacteria quantified. Unknown group A was successfully enriched by cultivating with oak bark and sterilized rumen fluid, particularly that from deer. Bacteria of this group were distributed in association with the solid rather than the liquid rumen fraction, and were detected as small cocci. Accordingly, unknown group A is assumed to be involved in degradation of fibrous materials. These results suggest that wild Hokkaido sika deer develop a rumen bacterial flora in response to changes in dietary conditions.
Confidence Bands for Multiplicative Hazards Models: Flexible Resampling Approaches
Authors: Dobler Dennis , Pauly Markus , Scheike ThomasH. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractWe propose new resampling-based approaches to construct asymptotically valid time-simultaneous confidence bands for cumulative hazard functions in multistate Cox models. In particular, we exemplify the methodology in detail for the simple Cox model with time-dependent covariates, where the data may be subject to independent right-censoring or left-truncation. We use simulations to investigate their finite sample behavior. Finally, the methods are utilized to analyze two empirical examples with survival and competing risks data.
Seasonal dynamics of waterbird assembly mechanisms revealed by patterns in phylogenetic and functional diversity in a subtropical wetland
Authors: Che Xianli , Chen Daojian , Zhang Min , Quan Qing , Møller Anders Pape , Zou Fasheng 
Published: April 2019

AbstractDespite growing interest in using phylogenetic and functional methods to understand community assembly, few studies have examined how these methods can be used to assess seasonal variation in assembly mechanisms among migrant species. Migration can rapidly alter the relative influence of stochastic processes, species interactions, or environmental factors in shaping communities across seasons. Here, we describe seasonal dynamics in the phylogenetic and functional diversity of waterbirds in Mai Po Wetland, a subtropical region with significant and predictable temporal variation in climate and migratory bird density. Phylogenetic α diversity varied seasonally, exhibiting a clustered structure (indicative of environmental filtering) in summer, and over‐dispersed structure (indicative of biotic filtering) in winter. Phylogenetic diversity in spring and autumn exhibited a more intermediate, random structure, consistent with stochastic arrivals and departures of migrants. Functional diversity was clustered in spring but showed over‐dispersion in the other three seasons. Phylogenetic β diversity in summer and winter assemblages was characterized by two distinct groups, while spring and autumn assemblages were mixed. Our results suggest that waterbird assemblages were primarily shaped by interspecific competition in winter, while random processes tended to shape assemblages in spring and fall. Environmental factors played a more important role in summer, during periods of high heat stress. In addition, species co‐occurrence patterns were significantly more strongly related to phylogenetic similarity in winter than in summer. Our results suggest that the relative importance of assemblage mechanisms can vary seasonally in response to changing environmental conditions, suggesting that studies attempting to infer a single dominant assembly mechanism may ignore important assembly processes. Temporal shifts in assembly mechanisms may play an important role in maintaining diversity in subtropical and temperate wetlands and perhaps also in other dynamic systems.
Prevalence of endoparasitic mites on four West African leaf‐litter frogs depends on habitat humidity
Authors: Kpan Tokouaho Flora , Ernst Raffael , Kouassi Philippe K. , Rödel Mark‐Oliver 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAmphibian species are known to carry endoparasitic mites. The infestation probability, prevalence, and intensity of mites vary among species and habitats. Mites of the genus Endotrombicula are known to infest African and Malagasy frogs. However, the factors leading to an increase in the probability of mite infestation are unknown. To test for inter‐ and intraspecific differences in infestation probability and its potential correlation with sex, age, habitat preferences, and/or season within a species‐rich West African leaf‐litter frog assemblage, we examined more than 6,800 individual frogs for the presence of mites throughout two independent time increments, 1999–2000 and 2016–2017. We found only members of the leaf‐litter frog genus Phyrnobatrachus to be infested, while other syntopically occurring genera were not affected. Within Phrynobatrachus, only four out of eight species were infested. Mites prevalence differed between species (highest P. phyllophilus, followed by P. alleni), sex (males higher than females in P. alleni and P. phyllophilus), and age (adults higher than juveniles in P. alleni), as well as season (more mites during wet than dry season in P. phyllophilus). The prevalence of mite infestation did not influence mate choice in P. alleni. Increased humidity showed a clear positive effect on infestation prevalence. We also detected a marked decrease in the prevalence of mites from 1999–2000 to 2016–2017, a period during which climatological changes within the study area have been reported with a tendency toward drier conditions. The decrease in mite infestation prevalence over time might be a signal of increasingly drier conditions.
Investigation of lymphoid lesions of the head and neck using combined fine needle aspiration cytology and flow cytometry: Accuracy and pitfalls
Authors: Crous Heinrich , Gillam Amanda , Kalokerinos Mary‐Anne , Knezevic Sasenka , Hobson Peter , Papadimos David J , Shield Paul W 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveWe reviewed the diagnostic utility of combined fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and flow cytometry (FC) in the diagnosis of lymphoid lesions of the head and neck.MethodIn total, 1402 patients with combined FNAC‐FC reports were correlated with follow‐up information. Rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE) of cytological specimens was performed in 52% of cases.ResultsIn total, 211 lymphoid malignancies were identified, including 198 non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and 13 Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Accuracy measures for NHL were: sensitivity 95.5%; specificity 99.9%; PPV 99.5%; NPV 99.2%; accuracy 99.3%. Only seven of 13 cases of HL were detected by FNAC‐FC. False negative cases included HL (six cases), diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (four), T‐cell lymphoma (two), follicular lymphoma (one), marginal zone cell lymphoma (one) and B‐cell NHL, not otherwise specified (one). Two false positive results were identified: one immunoblastic hyperplasia reported as suspicious for HL and one case reported as suggestive of NHL that was found to be reactive hyperplasia. Cases collected with ROSE had a significantly lower rate (P < 0.0001) of insufficient cells for FC analysis (7.0%) than cases where ROSE was not performed (16.4%). Sensitivity (P < 0.0001) and NPV (P = 0.0023) were significantly higher for ROSE‐collected specimens. None of the false‐negative NHL cases had ROSE performed.ConclusionsFNAC‐FC is a highly sensitive and specific test for NHL. Diagnostic errors mostly involved HL, large cell lymphomas and T‐cell lymphomas. ROSE results in a significantly higher adequacy rate for FC and higher sensitivity for NHL.
Feeding behavior of Myzus persicae on asparagus species susceptible and resistant to Asparagus virus 1
Authors: Lantos Edit , Schliephake Edgar , Krämer Reiner , Will Torsten , Nothnagel Thomas 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAsparagus virus 1 (AV‐1) infects Asparagus officinalis L. (Asparagaceae) in the field worldwide. However, various wild relatives of A. officinalis are resistant to AV‐1. Here we study the behavior of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), on 19 AV‐1‐resistant wild relatives of A. officinalis. We focus on behavior that is associated with regular cell penetration, relevant for inoculation of AV‐1, and sieve element penetration to check for vector resistance and its potential influence on AV‐1 transmission. Parameters, relevant for the transmission of non‐persistent viruses and host plant acceptance, were obtained by the electrical penetration graph technique. Furthermore, phylloclade architecture of A. officinalis and its wild relatives was examined to study its influence on aphid behavior. Behavior of M. persicae displays many cell penetrations and long ingestion periods on A. officinalis, compared to the generally shorter cell penetrations (reduced potential for virus transmission) and reduced or no ingestion (phloem‐located aphid resistance) on wild relatives. Because effects on aphid behavior are not consistent throughout the group of the tested wild relatives of A. officinalis, with some wild relatives being susceptible to M. persicae, a common genetic background for AV‐1 and aphid resistance appears to be unlikely. However, the reduced potential of virus transmission as well as aphid resistance shown by some wild relatives may be useful for future breeding programs.
Two closely related species of Nipponaphis (Hemiptera: Aphididae) that migrate between Distylium racemosum and Machilus trees in Japan
Authors: Aoki Shigeyuki , Kurosu Utako , Uematsu Keigo , Fukatsu Takema , Kutsukake Mayako 
Published: April 2019

AbstractNipponaphis loochooensis Sorin, 1996 and N. machilicola (Shinji, 1941) form fig‐shaped or globular galls on Distylium racemosum in southern Japan. Nipponaphis machilicola migrates to the lauraceous evergreen Machilus thunbergii. Nipponaphis loochooensis has also been supposed to migrate to M. thunbergii, but its secondary‐host generation has not been found in the field to date. Through sampling Nipponaphis aphids from trees of M. japonica in addition to M. thunbergii, and sequencing their mitochondrial DNA, we found that the two species form colonies on twigs of both Machilus species, and that the two at times colonize on the same trees and even form mixed colonies. Only N. loochooensis forms colonies on leaves of M. japonica, but neither species colonizes on leaves of M. thunbergii. The secondary‐host generations of the two species could be clearly discriminated from each other, based on morphology. It was confirmed by examining the type specimens of Nipponaphis amamiana Takahashi, 1962 that the name is a junior synonym of N. machilicola.
Testing early warning metrics for drought‐induced tree physiological stress and mortality
Authors: Anderegg William R. L. , Anderegg Leander D. L. , Huang Cho‐ying 
Published: April 2019

AbstractClimate change‐driven drought stress has triggered numerous large‐scale tree mortality events in recent decades. Advances in mechanistic understanding and prediction are greatly limited by an inability to detect in situ where trees are likely to die in order to take timely measurements and actions. Thus, algorithms of early warning and detection of drought‐induced tree stress and mortality could have major scientific and societal benefits. Here, we leverage two consecutive droughts in the southwestern United States to develop and test a set of early warning metrics. Using Landsat satellite data, we constructed early warning metrics from the first drought event. We then tested these metrics' ability to predict spatial patterns in tree physiological stress and mortality from the second drought. To test the broader applicability of these metrics, we also examined a separate drought in the Amazon rainforest. The early warning metrics successfully explained subsequent tree mortality in the second drought in the southwestern US, as well as mortality in the independent drought in tropical forests. The metrics also strongly correlated with spatial patterns in tree hydraulic stress underlying mortality, which provides a strong link between tree physiological stress and remote sensing during the severe drought and indicates that the loss of hydraulic function during drought likely mediated subsequent mortality. Thus, early warning metrics provide a critical foundation for elucidating the physiological mechanisms underpinning tree mortality in mature forests and guiding management responses to these climate‐induced disturbances.
Effects of lactic acid bacteria inoculants and fibrolytic enzymes on the fermentation quality, in vitro degradability, ruminal variables and microbial communities of high‐moisture alfalfa silage
Authors: Chen Lei , Li Junfeng , Dong Zhihao , Shao Tao 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe silage additives not only influence the fermentation quality of silages, but may have positive effects on animal performance by affecting the ruminal fermentation. This study was conducted to determine the effect of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculants, either alone or in combination with fibrolytic enzymes on the fermentation quality, and ruminal nutrients degradability, fermentation profile and microbial communities of high‐moisture alfalfa silage. Alfalfa (206 g dry matter [DM]/kg fresh matter) was ensiled in laboratory‐scale silos with four experimental variants: (a) deionized water (Control); (b) LAB inoculants (Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus combination; I); (c) fibrolytic enzymes (cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes combination; E); (d) a mixture of I and E (IE). All silos were opened after 45 days for determining the silage quality. Further, the four experimental silages were used to measure in vitro rumen degradability, fermentation profile and bacterial populations by fermenting with buffered rumen fluid. The addition of I stimulated a more efficient homofermentation of high‐moisture alfalfa silage than in the variants without I, as evidenced by higher lactic‐to‐acetic acid ratios and lower DM losses, and IE addition further enhanced the homofermentation. Compared to the Control, the addition of E increased the proteolysis, and decreased in vitro degradability of DM (IVDMD) and crude protein of DM (IVCPD) as well as in vitro gas production of 48 hr (GP48). The addition of I reduced the proteolysis and methane production, and increased the IVDMD, IVCPD, GP48, ruminal short‐chain fatty acids concentrations and microbial protein production. The populations of Genus Prevotella were higher in silages produced with I, but lower with E than the Control. The data suggested that the addition of LAB inoculants alone or together with fibrolytic enzymes could improve the fermentation quality and nutritive value of high‐moisture alfalfa silage.
Differential Transport of Escherichia coli Isolates Compared to Abiotic Tracers in a Karst Aquifer
Authors: Bandy Ashley M. , Cook Kimberly , Fryar Alan E. , Zhu Junfeng 
Published: April 2019

AbstractLack of filtration and rapid transport of groundwater and particulate matter make karst aquifers susceptible to bacterial contamination. This study utilized quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to examine the transport and attenuation of two nonvirulent isolates of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in relation to traditional groundwater tracers (rhodamine WT dye and 1‐µm diameter latex microspheres) in a karst‐conduit aquifer in central Kentucky. Bacterial isolates were labeled with stable isotopes (15N and 13C). All tracers were detected more than 6 km downstream from the injection site and demonstrated overlapping breakthrough curves, with differential transport observed between the two bacterial strains. The E. coli isolate containing the kps gene (low attachment) arrived at sampling sites 1.25 to 36 h prior to the bacterial isolate containing the iha gene (high attachment) and was detected in samples collected following storm events in which the iha isolate was not detected. The storage potential of contaminants within karst systems was demonstrated by the remobilization of all tracers during storm events more than 1 month after injection. Bacteria‐sized microspheres were more easily remobilized during periods of increased discharge compared to other tracers. The study demonstrated that molecular biology techniques such as qPCR can be utilized as a sensitive analysis of bacterial tracers in karst aquifers and may prove to be a more sensitive analytical technique than stable isotope analysis for field‐scale traces.
A Case of Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome Triggered by High‐Dose Methotrexate in a Boy With Lymphoma
Authors: Wang Xiaona , Zhang Yan , You Hui , Zhu Tienan , Zhou Daobin 
Published: April 2019

BackgroundReversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is characterized by thunderclap headaches and transient segmental cerebral arterial vasoconstriction. Many drugs have been identified as triggers of RCVS. However, RCVS induced by methotrexate (MTX), an antimetabolite agent, has never been reported.CaseWe report the first case of a 17‐year‐old Chinese student with a thunderclap headache after administration of high‐dose methotrexate during the treatment of extranodal natural killer/T‐cell lymphoma. Brain magnetic resonance angiography showed segmental constriction of the right anterior cerebral artery A1 segment, combined with nonaneurysmal cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage and vasogenic brain edema in brain magnetic resonance imaging. Cerebral images became normal 6 weeks later.DiscussionMTX is associated with a variety of neurological toxicities, including aseptic meningitis, transverse myelopathy, acute and subacute encephalopathy, and leukoencephalopathy. However, this is the first report that MTX can trigger RCVS, although it is not a proof for causality. RCVS should be a differential diagnosis for a headache after MTX administration.