bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Utility of recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus antigens in the diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis: A systematic review and diagnostic test accuracy meta‐analysis
Authors: Muthu Valliappan , Sehgal Inderpaul Singh , Dhooria Sahajal , Aggarwal Ashutosh N. , Agarwal Ritesh 
Published: June 2018

SummaryBackgroundThe role of recombinant A. fumigatus (rAsp) antigens in the diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) has not been systematically evaluated. Herein, we evaluate the utility of recombinant A. fumigatus (rAsp) antigens in diagnosing ABPA.MethodsWe systematically reviewed the PubMed, EmBase and Scopus databases for studies evaluating rAsp antigens in ABPA. The QUADAS‐2 tool and the GRADE approach were used to assess the risk of bias and the quality of evidence, respectively. The diagnostic performance of IgE or skin test against rAsp f1, f2, f3, f4, f6 and their combination was evaluated separately for ABPA complicating asthma or cystic fibrosis (CF), using an HSROC model. The reference standard for diagnosing ABPA was the composite (clinical, radiological, immunological) criteria.ResultsOur search yielded 26 studies (n = 1694) and 17 studies (n = 1131) for inclusion in the systematic review and meta‐analysis, respectively. In asthmatics, the pooled sensitivity for diagnosing ABPA was best for IgE against a combination of rAsp f1 or f3 (96.7%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 87.6‐99.2). The pooled specificity for diagnosing ABPA was highest (99.2%; 95% CI, 88.2‐99.9) for IgE against a combination of f4 or f6. In CF patients, the pooled sensitivity of rAsp f1 or f3 was 93.3% (95% CI, 55.2‐99.9) while the pooled specificity of rAsp f4 or f6 was 93.9% (95% CI, 68.8‐99.9). The quality of evidence was low as per the GRADE approach.ConclusionsA combination of IgE against rAsp antigens (f1, f2, f3, f4 and f6) is likely to be helpful in the diagnosis of ABPA.
Sharpening the focus on ophthalmology teaching: perceptions of medical students and junior medical officers
Authors: Zhang Helen H , Hepschke Jenny L , Shulruf Boaz , Francis Ian C , Spencer Sascha KR , Coroneo Minas , Agar Ashish 
Published: June 2018

AbstractImportanceWorldwide, ophthalmology teaching is being reduced or eliminated from medical school curricula. The current state of ophthalmic teaching in Australia is unknown.BackgroundTo evaluate the perceptions of junior medical officers (JMOs) and medical students on ophthalmology teaching in Australian medical schools.DesignSurvey‐based cross‐sectional study.ParticipantsA total of 838 JMOs and medical students from across Australia.MethodsFifty‐six hospitals and 20 medical schools across Australia were contacted. Hardcopy and online surveys were distributed to participants at consenting institutions, evaluating the characteristics of ophthalmology teaching received during medical school and participant confidence in basic ophthalmological clinical skills and knowledge. Factor analysis was performed on confidence scores.Main outcome measuresLikert scale confidence ratings, teaching methods encountered versus preferred.ResultsFour hundred and thirty‐two (51.6%) surveys were received from JMOs and 406 (48.4%) from medical students. The most common form of teaching received were lectures (71.3% JMOs, 65.5% medical students), while the most preferred type were hospital tutorials (37.7% JMOs, 61.6% medical students). Mean confidence in ophthalmology‐specific skills and knowledge topics were not high for medical students (skills: 2.66/5, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.55–2.76; knowledge: 2.88/5, 95% CI = 2.80–2.96) and JMOs (skills: 2.52/5, 95% CI = 2.43–2.60; knowledge: 2.84/5, 95% CI = 2.77–2.91). Many participants voiced the need for more ophthalmology teaching, particularly clinically oriented opportunities.Conclusions and relevanceJMOs and medical students do not show high levels of confidence in basic ophthalmological clinical skills and knowledge, and report inadequate emphasis on ophthalmology during medical school.
When politics meets science: What impact might Brexit have on organ donation and transplantation in the United Kingdom?
Authors: Shapey Iestyn M. , Summers Angela M. , Simkin Iain J. , Augustine Titus , van Dellen David 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBrexit may lead to major political, societal, and financial changes—this has significant implications for a tax revenue funded healthcare system such as the United Kingdom's (UK) National Health Service. The complex relationship between European Union (EU) legislation and clinical practice of organ donation and transplantation is poorly understood. However, it is unclear what impact Brexit may have on organ donation and transplantation in the UK and EU. This work aims to describe the current legislative interactions affecting organ donation and transplantation regulation and governance within the UK and EU. We consider the potential impact of Brexit on the practical aspects of transplantation such organ‐sharing networks, logistics, and the provision of health care for transplant patients when traveling to the EU from the UK and vice versa, as well as personnel, and research. Successful organ donation and transplantation practices rely on close collaboration and co‐operation across Europe and throughout the United Kingdom. The continuation of such relationships, despite the proposed legislative change, will remain a vital and necessary component for the ongoing success of transplantation programs.
Comparative use of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Small Jason W , Hix‐Small Hollie , Vargas‐Baron Emily , Marks Kevin P 
Published: June 2018

AimTo map the breadth of use of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) across world regions, and examine procedures for ASQ translation, adaptation, psychometric evaluation, and administration.MethodWe conducted a review of all original, peer‐reviewed studies written in English referencing use of the ASQ in LMICs. We used a consensus rating procedure to classify each article into one of four categories: feasibility study, psychometric study, prevalence study, or research study.ResultsWe analysed 53 peer‐reviewed articles written in English detailing use of the ASQ in LMICs. We found evidence of ASQ use in 23 LMICs distributed across all world regions. The ASQ was translated into 16 languages. Just over half of the studies reported parent completion of the ASQ (50.9%). We identified eight feasibility studies, 12 psychometric studies, and nine prevalence studies. Study type varied by economy and region.InterpretationFindings suggest broad global use of the ASQ in a range of countries and cultural and linguistic contexts. There is need for further validation studies across all cited regions and countries and in countries ready to begin to design systems for providing universal developmental screening services.What this paper adds

The Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) has been used in at least 23 low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs).

The ASQ has been translated into at least 16 languages in LMICs.

Over half the identified studies reported parent completion of the ASQ.
Genetic trials improve the transfer of Douglas‐fir distribution models across continents
Authors: Chakraborty Debojyoti , Schueler Silvio , Lexer Manfred J. , Wang Tongli 
Published: June 2018

Climate change is likely to result in novel conditions with no analogy to current climate. Therefore, the application of species distribution models (SDMs) based on the correlation between observed species’ occurrence and their environment is questionable and calls for a better understanding of the traits that determine species occurrence. Here, we compared two intraspecific, trait‐based SDMs with occurrence‐based SDMs, all developed from European data, and analyzed their transferability to the native range of Douglas‐fir in North America.With data from 50 provenance trials of Douglas‐fir in central Europe multivariate universal response functions (URFs) were developed for two functional traits (dominant tree height and basal area) which are good indicators of growth and vitality under given environmental conditions. These trials included 290 North American provenances of Douglas‐fir. The URFs combine genetic effects i.e. the climate of provenance origin and environmental effects, i.e. the climate of planting locations into an integrated model to predict the respective functional trait from climate data. The URFs were applied as SDMs (URF‐SDMs) by converting growth performances into occurrence. For comparison, an ensemble occurrence‐based SDM was developed and block cross validated with the BIOMOD2 modeling platform utilizing the observed occurrence of Douglas‐fir in Europe. The two trait based SDMs and the occurrence‐based SDM, all calibrated with data from Europe, were applied to predict the known distribution of Douglas‐fir in its introduced and native range in Europe and North America.Both models performed well within their calibration range in Europe, but model transfer to its native range in North America was superior in case of the URF‐SDMs showing similar predictive power as SDMs developed in North America itself. The high transferability of the URF‐SDMs is a testimony of their applicability under novel climatic conditions highlighting the role of intraspecific trait variation for adaptation planning in climate change.
Performance of ratio‐based, soil‐adjusted and atmospherically corrected multispectral vegetation indices in predicting herbaceous aboveground biomass in a Colophospermum mopane tree–shrub savanna
Authors: Svinurai Walter , Hassen Abubeker , Tesfamariam Eyob , Ramoelo Abel 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAccurate and near‐real‐time estimation of herbaceous aboveground biomass (AGB) at farm level is crucial for monitoring pasture production and proactive management of stock in semiarid rangelands. Despite its importance, remote sensing has been rarely used by range ecologists and managers in Zimbabwe. This study aimed at assessing the performance of classical multispectral vegetation indices (MVIs) when either singly regressed with measured herbaceous AGB or combined with other visible spectral bands in predicting herbaceous AGB in a Colophospermum mopane savannah. Field herbaceous AGB and corresponding Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager visible spectral data were collected during the 2016–2017 rainy season. Relationships between measured AGB and classical MVIs and extended models of MVIs combined with other visible bands were analysed using bootstrapped simple and stepwise multiple linear regression functions. When MVIs were singly regressed with measured AGB, ratio‐based indices yielded the highest r2 value of 0.64, followed by soil‐adjusted indices (r2 = 0.61), while atmospherically corrected MVIs showed the lowest r2 of 0.58 (p = 0.00). A significant improvement in herbaceous AGB estimation was obtained using a combination of MVIs and other visible bands. Soil‐adjusted MVIs showed the greatest increase (44–46%) in r2, while atmospherically corrected and ratio‐based MVIs poorly improved (<5%). The findings demonstrate that combining MVIs with Landsat 8 optical bands, especially green band, provides the best models for estimating AGB in C. mopane savanna rangelands. These findings emphasize the importance of testing band‐MVI combinations when developing models for estimating herbaceous AGB.
Effects of conventional and microwave pretreatment acetylation on structural and physicochemical properties of wheat starch
Authors: Zhao Kun , Saleh Ahmed S.M. , Li Bei , Wu Hao , liu Yu , Zhang Guoquan , Li Wenhao 
Published: June 2018

SummaryThe changes in structural and physicochemical properties of wheat starch after conventional and microwave pretreatment acetylation process were investigated and compared. The microscopy analysis showed that the microwave pretreatment acetylation significantly influenced the surface and interior structure of starch granules compared with the conventional acetylation. The microwave pretreated and untreated starch granules retained the A‐type crystalline structure with decreased relative crystallinity after acetylation. The microwave pretreated starch showed higher degree of substitution, acetyl content, and gelatinisation and pasting temperatures than those of the untreated starch after acetylation under the same conditions. However, the microwave pretreated starch showed lower gelatinisation enthalpy, light transmittance, and peak viscosity compared with the untreated starch after acetylation. Furthermore, water solubility and swelling power of the microwave pretreated and untreated starch increased after acetylation. Generally, the microwave pretreatment acetylation significantly modified structural and physicochemical properties of wheat starch compared with single acetylation process. Therefore, a combination of microwave pretreatment with acetylation can be suggested for modification of wheat starch to promote its applications in the food and nonfood industries.
Distance Metrics and Clustering Methods for Mixed‐type Data
Authors: Foss Alexander H. , Markatou Marianthi , Ray Bonnie 
Published: June 2018

SummaryIn spite of the abundance of clustering techniques and algorithms, clustering mixed interval (continuous) and categorical (nominal and/or ordinal) scale data remain a challenging problem. In order to identify the most effective approaches for clustering mixed‐type data, we use both theoretical and empirical analyses to present a critical review of the strengths and weaknesses of the methods identified in the literature. Guidelines on approaches to use under different scenarios are provided, along with potential directions for future research.
Distinct colonization waves underlie the diversification of the freshwater sculpin (Cottus gobio) in the Central European Alpine region
Authors: Lucek Kay , Keller Irene , Nolte Arne W. , Seehausen Ole 
Published: June 2018

AbstractEcological speciation and adaptive radiation are key processes shaping northern temperate freshwater fish diversity. Both often involve parapatric differentiation between stream and lake populations and less often, sympatric intralacustrine diversification into habitat‐ and resource‐associated ecotypes. However, few taxa have been studied, calling for studies of others to investigate the generality of these processes. Here, we test for diversification within catchments in freshwater sculpins in a network of peri‐Alpine lakes and streams. Using 8047 and 13 182 restriction site‐associated (RADseq)SNPs, respectively, we identify three deeply divergent phylogeographic lineages associated with different major European drainages. Within the Aare catchment, we observe populations from geographically distant lakes to be genetically more similar to each other than to populations from nearby streams. This pattern is consistent with two distinct colonization waves, rather than by parapatric ecological speciation after a single colonization wave. We further find two distinct depth distribution modes in three lakes of the Aare catchment, one in very shallow and one in very deep water, and significant genomewide differentiation between these in one lake. Sculpins in the Aare catchment appear to represent an early‐stage adaptive radiation involving the evolution of a lacustrine lineage distinct from parapatric stream sculpins and the repeated onset of depth‐related intralacustrine differentiation.
The mind electric: Challenges to clinical categories from a person‐centred perspective and the possibilities of metaphysics and art for clinician, patient, and treatment
Authors: Pârvan Alexandra 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe paper proposes that frameworks typical to metaphysics and art could be used in clinical treatment in somatic and psychiatric contexts to ensure improved care. The concept of the “body electric” of somatic patients which I introduced in previous work is developed further and paired with the “mind electric” of psychiatric patients. Both are defined as a patient's personally generated metaphysical possibility of being healthy‐within‐illness which is experientially actualized. Both concepts are used here to explore the alternative and the serious challenges to treatment approaches focused on clinical categories, disease, provision, and promotion of standardized or “black‐box” therapies. An argument against the idea implied by the hope for such mass treatments and corresponding overreliance on science, namely, that health comes from fixing and regularizing, is developed based on cultural history and the evidenced fact that personally assumed health, just like art and metaphysics, is transgressive of scientific data, and accommodates the untrue, the impossible or the irregular as actual and normal. Because normality is created only with the help of disorder and from within it for chronic patients, clinicians should offer them the metaphysical care they need to produce and actualize their possibility of irregular normality or their body/mind electric. Better treatments can only be provided when scientific advances will be matched with advances in the humanistic competence of clinicians.
Cross‐sectional area of lumbar spinal muscles and vertebral endplates: a secondary analysis of 91 computed tomography images of children aged 2–20
Authors: Been Ella , Shefi Sara , Kalichman Leonid , F. Bailey Jeannie , Soudack Michalle 
Published: June 2018

AbstractSpinal muscle cross‐sectional area has been highly associated with spinal pathology. Despite the medium‐high prevalence of spinal pathology in children, there is very limited knowledge regarding muscle size and growth pattern in individuals younger than 20 years of age. The aim of this study is to analyze the change in size and symmetry of spinal muscles (erector spinae, multifidus, psoas and quadratus lumborum) in children 2–20 years of age. We studied reformatted images from 91 abdominal computed tomographic scans of children aged 2–20 years, from an existing imaging dataset. The cross‐sectional area of the muscles was bilaterally measured parallel to the upper endplate of the lumbar vertebrae L3–L5 and at true horizontal for S1. The cross‐sectional area of the upper vertebral endplate was measured at spinal levels L3–L5. Results were analyzed according to six groups based on children's age: 2–4 years (group 1), 5–7 years (group 2), 8–10 years (group 3), 11–13 years (group 4), 14–16 years (group 5) and 17–20 years (group 6). Vertebral endplate and spinal muscles cross‐sectional area increased with age. Two patterns were observed: Endplate, psoas and quadratus lumborum increased up to our 6th oldest age group (17–20), and multifidus and erector spinae reached their largest size in the 5th age group (14–16). The epaxial muscles (erector spinae and multifidus) reached their maximal cross‐sectional area before skeletal maturity (18–21 years of age). The hypaxial muscles (psoas and quadratus lumborum) continued to increase in size at least until spinal maturity. Contributing factors for the differences in developmental pattern between the epaxial and hypaxial muscles might include functional, embryological and innervation factors. In conclusion, this research is the first to describe the cross‐sectional area of spinal muscles in children. Future longitudinal studies are needed for further understanding of muscle development during childhood and adolescence. Level of evidence: level 2b, Retrospective cohort study.
Orbital shape in intentional skull deformations and adult sagittal craniosynostoses
Authors: Sandy Ronak , Hennocq Quentin , Nysjö Johan , Giran Guillaume , Friess Martin , Khonsari Roman Hossein 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIntentional cranial deformations are the result of external mechanical forces exerted on the skull vault that modify the morphology of various craniofacial structures such as the skull base, the orbits and the zygoma. In this controlled study, we investigated the 3D shape of the orbital inner mould and the orbital volume in various types of intentional deformations and in adult non‐operated scaphocephaly – the most common type of craniosynostosis – using dedicated morphometric methods. CT scans were performed on 32 adult skulls with intentional deformations, 21 adult skull with scaphocephaly and 17 non‐deformed adult skulls from the collections of the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle in Paris, France. The intentional deformations group included six skulls with Toulouse deformations, eight skulls with circumferential deformations and 18 skulls with antero‐posterior deformations. Mean shape models were generated based on a semi‐automatic segmentation technique. Orbits were then aligned and compared qualitatively and quantitatively using colour‐coded distance maps and by computing the mean absolute distance, the Hausdorff distance, and the Dice similarity coefficient. Orbital symmetry was assessed after mirroring, superimposition and Dice similarity coefficient computation. We showed that orbital shapes were significantly and symmetrically modified in intentional deformations and scaphocephaly compared with non‐deformed control skulls. Antero‐posterior and circumferential deformations demonstrated a similar and severe orbital deformation pattern resulting in significant smaller orbital volumes. Scaphocephaly and Toulouse deformations had similar deformation patterns but had no effect on orbital volumes. This study showed that intentional deformations and scaphocephaly significantly interact with orbital growth. Our approach was nevertheless not sufficient to identify specific modifications caused by the different types of skull deformations or by scaphocephaly.
Lake Victoria fisheries: Outlook and management
Authors: Njiru James , van der Knaap Martin , Kundu Rodrick , Nyamweya Chrisphine 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe past subsistence of the Lake Victoria fishery was dominated by rich, diverse haplochromine cichlids. This multispecies fishery has undergone a decline over the past four decades, evolving into a commercial fishery consisting mainly of Nile perch (Lates niloticus), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and cyprinid (Rastrineobola argentea species). To better understand Lake Victoria fisheries, studies dating as far back as the 1920s have been carried out to assess the status of the fish stocks. These past studies indicated the lake fisheries were declining because of numerous major challenges, including intense fishing, invasive species, loss of biodiversity, ecological alterations, climate change, inadequate information to inform management and unharmonized policies. Numerous policies and regulations have been developed and implemented over the years to address these issues and manage the fisheries sustainably. Most of the interventions have been sectorial, disjointed and unharmonized and have not reduced the declining fish catch rates. With reestablishment of the East Africa Community (EAC) with several institutions in 1994, the Lake Victoria riparian states initiated an ecosystem approach to manage the Lake Victoria fishery resources in a sustainable manner. This study reviews the development of the Lake Victoria fisheries, outlines major past and present management challenges and provides a set of new strategies to manage the lake's fisheries resources, with emphasis on an ecosystem approach.