bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A view from above: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) provide a new tool for assessing liana infestation in tropical forest canopies
Authors: Waite Catherine E. , van der Heijden Geertje M. F. , Field Richard , Boyd Doreen S. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Tropical forests store and sequester large quantities of carbon, mitigating climate change. Lianas (woody vines) are important tropical forest components, most conspicuous in the canopy. Lianas reduce forest carbon uptake and their recent increase may, therefore, limit forest carbon storage with global consequences for climate change. Liana infestation of tree crowns is traditionally assessed from the ground, which is labour intensive and difficult, particularly for upper canopy layers.

We used a lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to assess liana infestation of tree canopies from above. It was a commercially available quadcopter UAV with an integrated, standard three‐waveband camera to collect aerial image data for 150 ha of tropical forest canopy. By visually interpreting the images, we assessed the degree of liana infestation for 14.15 ha of forest for which ground‐based estimates were collected simultaneously. We compared the UAV liana infestation estimates with those from the ground to determine the validity, strengths, and weaknesses of using UAVs as a new method for assessing liana infestation of tree canopies.

Estimates of liana infestation from the UAV correlated strongly with ground‐based surveys at individual tree and plot level, and across multiple forest types and spatial resolutions, improving liana infestation assessment for upper canopy layers. Importantly, UAV‐based surveys, including the image collection, processing, and visual interpretation, were considerably faster and more cost‐efficient than ground‐based surveys.

Synthesis and applications. Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) image data of tree canopies can be easily captured and used to assess liana infestation at least as accurately as traditional ground data. This novel method promotes reproducibility of results and quality control, and enables additional variables to be derived from the image data. It is more cost‐effective, time‐efficient and covers larger geographical extents than traditional ground surveys, enabling more comprehensive monitoring of changes in liana infestation over space and time. This is important for assessing liana impacts on the global carbon balance, and particularly useful for forest management where knowledge of the location and change in liana infestation can be used for tailored, targeted, and effective management of tropical forests for enhanced carbon sequestration (e.g., REDD+ projects), timber concessions, and forest restoration.
Seasonal and long‐term patterns in litterfall in a Bornean tropical rainforest
Authors: Nakagawa Michiko , Ushio Masayuki , Kume Tomonori , Nakashizuka Tohru 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe spatiotemporal characteristics of litterfall reflect important functional processes in a forest ecosystem, yet seasonal and long‐term patterns in litterfall and relationship between litterfall and climate seasonality have rarely been examined in the aseasonal Southeast Asian tropics. We monitored monthly litterfall and conducted meteorological measurements over 16 years in a lowland mixed dipterocarp forest in Borneo. The total annual litterfall averaged 7.02 Mg ha−1 year−1 and leaf fall contributed 67.9% of total litterfall. Fourier analyses detected a significant annual cycle in monthly leaf fall, although spatial variation was relatively high, and 57.5% of litter traps showed annual cycles at the litter trap level. Rainfall, mean temperature and solar radiation also showed distinct 12‐month cycles. Leaf fall was positively correlated with the daily mean air temperature of the same month, and negatively correlated with rainfall in the previous month. Leaf fall gradually increased during the study period. Our results suggest that a seasonal pattern in community‐level leaf fall is regulated by the annual cycle of meteorological factors, even in this aseasonal environment, which experiences no dry season. Further monitoring and analyses are required to clarify spatial variation and long‐term patterns in litterfall and their mechanisms.
Bioreduction of precious and heavy metals by Candida species under oxidative stress conditions
Authors: Moreno Abel , Demitri Nicola , Ruiz‐Baca Estela , Vega‐González Arturo , Polentarutti Maurizio , Cuéllar‐Cruz Mayra 
Published: January 2019

SummaryThe aim of the present work was to evaluate whether Candida species can reduce both precious and toxic pure metals from the respective molecular ions. From these results, the nanoparticles formed were studied using scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy and synchrotron radiation. Our results showed that the metal ions were reduced to their corresponding metallic nanoconglomerate or nanoparticles by Candida species. This is the first report on how yeasts of this genus are capable of achieving homeostasis (resilience) in the presence of metal ions of both precious and toxic metals by reducing them to a metallic state.
Serum markers of B‐cell activation in pregnancy during late gestation, delivery, and the postpartum period
Authors: Lima Jorge , Cambridge Geraldine , Vilas‐Boas Andreia , Martins Catarina , Borrego Luís‐Miguel , Leandro Maria 
Published: January 2019

AbstractProblemB cells are vital for the normal evolution of pregnancy due to their humoral and possible regulatory activities. Our group and others have documented that circulating B‐cell subsets undergo changes from normal late pregnancy to the postpartum period. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Therefore, this study examined the degree of B‐cell activation in normal pregnancy by analyzing the levels of serum markers in healthy pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy, the day of delivery, and the postpartum period.Method of studyA prospective study including pregnant and non‐pregnant women attending routine care was undertaken at a hospital clinic. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, along with peripheral blood samples. The serum levels of soluble CD23 (sCD23), B‐cell‐activating factor (BAFF), kappa (κ) and lambda (λ) free light chains (FLC), IgA, IgG, and IgM were quantified.ResultsOur study included 43 third trimester pregnant and 35 non‐pregnant women. In the pregnant women, the median levels of sCD23, BAFF, IgG, and κ FLC were significantly higher during the postpartum period than during the third trimester of pregnancy. Compared to the non‐pregnant women, the third trimester pregnant women had higher median BAFF levels and lower sCD23, IgA, IgG, and FLC levels.ConclusionChanges in serum markers of B‐cell kinetics that occur during pregnancy often persist into the postpartum period and affect the secretion of immunoglobulins from different classes. Further studies are needed to clarify the biological significance of our observations.
Cigarette smoking is associated with adverse pathological response and increased disease recurrence amongst patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer treated with cisplatin‐based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical cystectomy: a single‐centre experience
Authors: Boeri Luca , Soligo Matteo , Frank Igor , Boorjian Stephen A. , Thompson Robert H. , Tollefson Matthew , Quevedo Fernando J. , Cheville John C. , Karnes Robert Jeffrey 
Published: January 2019

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between smoking status and pathological response to cisplatin‐based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and survival outcomes in patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) treated with radical cystectomy (RC).Patients and MethodsWe reviewed 201 patients treated with NAC and RC for cT2–cT4N0M0 BC between 01/1999 and 01/2015. Smoking status was categorised as: ‘never', ‘former', and ‘current' smoker. Pathological response to NAC was defined as: complete (ypT0N0), partial (ypTis/Ta/T1, N0), and no response (ypT2–4 or ypN+). Clinicopathological characteristics were analysed according to smoking status. Logistic regression analyses tested the association between smoking status and pathological response to NAC. Cox regression analyses tested risk factors associated with recurrence, overall (OM) and cancer‐specific mortality (CSM).ResultsOverall, there were 58 (28.9%) never smokers, 87 (43.3%) former smokers, and 56 (27.9%) current smokers. No response to NAC was more frequently noted in current smokers (73.2%; P = 0.007). Former smoker (odds ratio [OR] 2.28; P = 0.024) and current smoker statuses (OR 4.52; P < 0.001) were significantly associated with no response to NAC, after adjusting for age, gender, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and clinical stage. Similarly, current smoking status (hazard ratio [HR] 2.14; P = 0.03) and extravesical pathological tumour stage (HR 3.31; P < 0.001) were independently associated with an increased risk of recurrence after RC.ConclusionCigarette smoking was significantly associated with adverse pathological response to cisplatin‐based NAC in patients with MIBC treated with RC. Current smokers were at significantly higher risk of disease recurrence as compared to former and never smokers.
Adipocyte expression of glucose transporter 1 and 4 in PCOS: Relationship to insulin‐mediated and non–insulin‐mediated whole‐body glucose uptake
Authors: Ezeh Uche , Chen Ida Y.‐D. , Chen Yen‐Hao , Azziz Ricardo 
Published: January 2019

SummaryBackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a highly prevalent endocrine‐metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance (IR). In IR states, non–insulin‐mediated glucose uptake (NIMGU) may increase to compensate for declining insulin‐mediated glucose uptake (IMGU), although this does not appear to be the case in PCOS. The underlying molecular mechanisms for this deficiency remain unclear.ObjectivesTo compare adipocyte glucose transporter 1 and 4 (GLUT‐1 and GLUT‐4) gene expression in PCOS women and matched controls, and to determine whether changes in GLUT‐1 and GLUT‐4 are associated with concomitant alterations in whole‐body glucose uptake.Research design and methodsIn this prospective cross‐sectional study, 23 women with PCOS (by NIH 1990 criteria) and 23 matched controls were studied for subcutaneous abdominal adipocyte GLUT‐1 and GLUT‐4 mRNA expression (by real‐time PCR), and basal whole‐body IR (by HOMA‐IR) and insulin secretion (by HOMA‐β%). A subset of six PCOS women and six matched controls also underwent a mFSIVGTT to determine dynamic state glucose uptake (by insulin sensitivity index [Si] and glucose effectiveness [Sg]) and insulin secretion (by the acute insulin response to glucose [AIRg] and the disposition index [Di]).ResultsFor similar adiposity (BMI and waist‐hip ratio), PCOS women tended to have higher HOMA‐IR and lower Di and Si, and higher HOMA‐β% and lower GLUT‐4 than controls, while GLUT‐1 was similar. GLUT‐1 was positively associated with Sg (reflecting NIMGU) and GLUT‐4 positively with Si (reflecting IMGU). GLUT‐4 was associated negatively with HOMA‐IR and HOMA‐β% and positively with Di for the entire cohort but not with AIRg. Both GLUT‐1 and GLU‐4 were negatively associated with BMI, but not with each other.ConclusionOur results suggest that IR secondary to a lower IMGU and enhanced insulin secretion in PCOS is in part attributable to a reduction in adipocyte GLUT‐4 expression that is not accompanied by a compensatory increase in GLUT‐1 expression.
Comparison of clinical peri‐implant indices and crestal bone levels around narrow and regular diameter implants placed in diabetic and non‐diabetic patients: A 3‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Al‐Shibani Nouf , Al‐Aali Khulud Abdulrahman , Al‐Hamdan Rana Sulaiman , Alrabiah Mohammed , Basunbul Ghadeer , Abduljabbar Tariq 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundStudies evaluating and comparing clinical and radiographic peri‐implant indices around narrow diameter implants (NDIs; <3.3 mm) and regular diameter implants (RDIs) in type‐2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non‐diabetic individuals are deficient.ObjectiveTo estimate and compare the clinical and radiographic indices around NDIs and RDIs placed in T2DM and non‐diabetic patients.Materials and MethodsEighty‐six patients requiring implant surgery in the posterior mandible were divided into two groups (42 T2DM and 44 non‐diabetic individuals). Patients were further categorized into two subgroups on the basis of diameter of implants: (1) patients with NDIs (3.3 mm ø) and (2) patients with RDIs (4.1 mm ø). Clinical indices evaluating plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and crestal bone levels (CBL) were recorded around all dental implants at 18 and 36 months follow up. Serum hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test was carried out for both groups to assess the profile of glycosylated hemoglobin at baseline, 18 and 36 months of follow up.ResultsThe mean age of patients in T2DM group and non‐diabetic group was 45.2 and 41.6 years, respectively. At 18 and 36 months follow up, mean HbA1c levels were 6.5% and 4.5% and 6.7% and 4.5% in T2DM and non‐diabetic individuals, respectively. A statistically significant reduction in mean HbA1c levels from the baseline to respective follow‐up periods were seen in T2DM patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the overall mean scores of PI, BOP, PD, and CBL around NDIs and RDIs among T2DM and non‐diabetic patients at 18 and 36 months of follow up.ConclusionNDIs show reliable clinical stability and radiographic bone levels as RDIs placed in T2DM and non‐diabetic individuals, provided oral hygiene and glycemic status are strictly maintained.
Simultaneous‐count models to estimate abundance from counts of unmarked individuals with imperfect detection
Authors: Ryan Gerard Edward , Nicholson Emily , Eames Jonathan C. , Gray Thomas N. E. , Loveridge Robin , Mahood Simon P. , Sum Phearun , McCarthy Michael A. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWe developed a method to estimate population abundance from simultaneous counts of unmarked individuals over multiple sites. We considered that at each sampling occasion, individuals in a population could be detected at 1 of the survey sites or remain undetected and used either multinomial or binomial simultaneous‐count models to estimate abundance, the latter being equivalent to an N‐mixture model with one site. We tested model performance with simulations over a range of detection probabilities, population sizes, growth rates, number of years, sampling occasions, and sites. We then applied our method to 3 critically endangered vulture species in Cambodia to demonstrate the real‐world applicability of the model and to provide the first abundance estimates for these species in Cambodia. Our new approach works best when existing methods are expected to perform poorly (i.e., few sites and large variation in abundance among sites) and if individuals may move among sites between sampling occasions. The approach performed better when there were >8 sampling occasions and net probability of detection was high (>0.5). We believe our approach will be useful in particular for simultaneous surveys at aggregation sites, such as roosts. The method complements existing approaches for estimating abundance of unmarked individuals and is the first method designed specifically for simultaneous counts.
Iatrogenic ureteral injuries and their prevention in colorectal surgery: results from a nationwide survey
Authors: Douissard J. , Meyer J. , Ris F. , Liot E. , Morel P. , Buchs N. C. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimIatrogenic ureteral injury (IUI) occurs rarely during colorectal surgery but is associated with significant mortality, morbidity and medicolegal issues. Few cases are reported, and recommendations regarding prevention are lacking. The aim of this study is to describe the current state of practice regarding IUI and its prevention among general surgeons in Switzerland.MethodAll Swiss general surgeons who are members of either the Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery or the Swiss Surgical Society were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey. Demographics, surgical practice, rate of IUI and methods used to prevent IUI were investigated.ResultsAll participants were board‐certified general surgeons, 63.4% were certified visceral surgeons and 17.9% were certified colorectal surgeons. The mean level of experience in colorectal surgery was 15.6 ± 9.2 years. Formal ureter identification was considered mandatory during sigmoid or rectal surgery by 83.7% of participants, and 31.7% considered identification of the right ureter during right colectomy to be mandatory. In total, 61.8% of the participants and 78.4% of surgeons with more than 20 years of experience had encountered at least one IUI. Prophylactic ureteral stenting was considered useful in complex procedures by 93.5% of participants, and 56.9% had used stents at least once in the past 12 months. Noninvasive techniques for identifying ureters would be considered in regular daily practice by 54.5% of the participants.ConclusionMost general surgeons experience IUI. Ureter identification is widely integrated in colorectal procedures. Prophylactic stenting is widely used for difficult cases. Noninvasive methods to improve ureter identification are now needed.
Basilaphelenchus gorganensis n. sp. (Aphelenchoidea, Tylaphelenchinae) from wood from northern Iran
Authors: Mirzaie Fouladvand Zeinab , Pourjam Ebrahim , Kanzaki Natsumi , Giblin‐Davis Robin M. , Pedram Majid 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBasilaphelenchus gorganensis n. sp. is described and illustrated from wood and bark of a dead tree from northern Iran. The new species is characterized by female body length (415–559 µm), three‐lined lateral fields, a sclerotized cephalic vestibule and cephalic framework, thin stylet with three elongate backwardly directed knobs, small spherical to oval metacorpus, with small and posteriorly located valve, simple vulva without any flap apparatus, 59‐ to 79‐µm‐long post‐vulval uterine sac, functional rectum and anus and dorsally convex, ventrally concave, usually ventrally bent conical female tail with a sharp tip. Males are common, apparently functional and characterized by well‐curved spicules, three pairs of small caudal papillae and no bursa at tail tip. Molecular phylogenetic inferences using partial sequences of small and large subunit ribosomal RNA genes (SSU and LSU rDNA) from different isolates of the new species revealed it differs from currently sequenced species and belongs to the Tylaphelenchinae clade.
Safety of apnea testing for the diagnosis of brain death: a comprehensive study on neuromonitoring data and blood gas analysis
Authors: Salih F. , Hoffmann O. , Brandt S. A. , Masuhr F. , Schreiber S. , Weissinger F. , Rocco A. , Wolf S. 
Published: January 2019

Background and purposeHere, we studied the safety of apnea testing (AT) for the determination of brain death with regard to intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral perfusion and arterial blood gas parameters. We hypothesized that ICP only increases when cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) remains positive during AT.MethodsA total of 34 patients who fulfilled brain death criteria were identified by chart review (2009–2017). We analysed ICP, CPP and mean arterial pressure (MAP) prior to AT, during AT and after AT, as well as arterial pH, paCO2, paO2 and arterial O2 saturation at the start and end of AT.ResultsIntracranial pressure was 87.9 ± 17.7 mmHg (mean ± SD) prior to AT, 89.9 ± 17.2 mmHg during AT and 86.4 ± 15.2 mmHg after AT (P = 0.9). CPP was −6.9 ± 12.8 mmHg prior to AT, −7.1 ± 13.7 mmHg during AT and −8.6 ± 13.0 mmHg after AT (P = 0.98), respectively. MAP was 82.9 ± 14.6 mmHg prior to AT, 84.7 ± 13.9 mmHg during AT and 79.7 ± 9.6 mmHg after AT (P = 0.57), respectively. A total of 10 patients had positive CPP (8.6 ± 4.3 mmHg), but ICP did not increase during AT. Arterial pH decreased from 7.43 ± 0.06 to 7.22 ± 0.06 (P < 0.05), paCO2 increased from 38.6 ± 4.2 to 69.6 ± 8.0 mmHg (P < 0.05), paO2 decreased from 416.3 ± 113.4 to 289.2 ± 146.5 mmHg (P < 0.05), and O2 saturation was stable at 99.8 ± 0.4% and 98.2 ± 3.2% (P = 0.39).ConclusionsApnea testing had no detrimental effect on ICP, CPP, MAP or oxygenation, regardless of the presence of an initially positive CPP. The lack of further ICP elevations is presumably explained by critical closing pressures above individual CPP levels during AT.
Pace‐of‐life: Relationships among locomotor activity, life history, and circadian rhythm in the assassin bug,Amphibolus venator
Authors: Matsumura Kentarou , Ito Ryohei , Miyatake Takahisa 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe pace‐of‐life syndrome (POLS) hypothesis means that animal behavior is correlated with life history strategies. Studies have reported that the free‐running period of the circadian rhythm (length of the period) is correlated with life history strategies in some animals. Although the length of the circadian rhythm may be associated with the POLS hypothesis, few studies have investigated the relationships among animal behavior, life history traits, and circadian rhythm. We tested the POLS hypothesis in the assassin bug,Amphibolus venator,which shows individual variation in locomotor activity. We found higher repeatability of differences in locomotor activity between individuals. Moreover, we found a trade‐off between locomotor activity and developmental period such that active individuals developed faster. However, locomotor activity was not correlated with the length of the circadian rhythm inA. venator. Therefore, this study suggests that the length of the circadian rhythm inA. venatordoes not support the POLS hypothesis.
Ultrasound‐guided injection of the cranial tibial artery for stem cell administration in horses
Authors: Torrent A. , Spriet M. , Espinosa‐Mur P. , Clark K. C. , Whitcomb M. B. , Borjesson D. L. , Galuppo L. D. 
Published: January 2019

SummaryBackgroundA technique for intra‐arterial injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) has been established for front limbs with the use of the median artery. This approach has been proposed for treatment of soft tissue injuries of the equine distal limb. A technique has not been validated yet for hindlimb injection.ObjectivesTo assess the feasibility of injection of the cranial tibial artery in horses, and to evaluate the distribution and persistence of MSC after injection.Study designIn vivo experiment.MethodsIn a first phase, the cranial tibial arteries of both hindlimbs of three research horses were catheterised with ultrasound guidance under general anaesthesia and injected with iodinated contrast. In the second phase, iodinated contrast was injected in three standing sedated horses with ultrasound guidance. In the final phase, 99mTechnetium‐HMPAO labelled allogenic bone marrow derived equine MSC were injected under standing sedation with the same technique in three other horses. Scintigraphy was used to assess MSC distribution and persistence for 24 h. Ultrasound was performed 24 h after injection to assess vessel impairment.ResultsArterial injection was achieved in all 18 limbs without any significant complications. Mild partial periarterial injection was observed in four limbs. Scintigraphic images demonstrated diffuse MSC distribution from the tarsal area to the foot. Persistence decreased over time but signal was still present at 24 h.Main limitationsLimited retention of the radiolabel in the MSC.ConclusionsUltrasound‐guided injection of the cranial tibial artery can be performed both under general anaesthesia and standing sedation in horses. This technique could be used for MSC treatment of equine proximal suspensory desmopathy or other injuries in the distal hindlimb.