bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Otitis media with effusion in nasal polyposis and outcomes following surgery: A longitudinal observational study
Authors: Lisan Q. , Rubin F. , Bonfils P. , Villeneuve A. 
Published: July 2018

ObjectiveIn patients with nasal polyposis (NP), otitis media with effusion (OME) seems to be a marker of severity of the inflammatory process occurring in those patients. The aim was to assess whether OME could represent a marker of resistance to the surgical treatment of NP.DesignLongitudinal observational cohort study including patients between January 1991 and January 2017. Mean follow‐up was 7.4 years.SettingTertiary‐care hospital centre.ParticipantsPatients with NP who underwent surgery (radical bilateral sphenoethmoidectomy).Main outcome measuresFour outcomes reflecting resistance to the surgical treatment: a clinical score of rhinologic symptoms, the mean number of systemic corticosteroids treatment per year, the recurrence rate of polyps and the rate of reoperation.ResultsA total of 266 patients were included (63.9% of men, mean age 48 years). In multivariate linear mixed‐effects regression, when compared to patients without OME, patients with OME presented a similar clinical score of symptoms (coefficient 0.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) −0.25 to 0.06, P‐value = 0.24) and a borderline higher mean number of systemic corticosteroids treatments per year (coefficient 0.11, 95% CI 0.003‐0.23, P‐value = 0.04). In multivariate Cox regression analyses, patients with OME had a similar reoperation rate than patients without OME (hazard ratio (HR) 0.29, 95% CI 0.06‐1.50) and a similar recurrence rate of polyps (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.23‐1.53).ConclusionIn patients with NP, OME is not a marker of surgical resistance. Those patients should be managed similarly than patients without, and similar outcomes following surgery should be expected.
Quality of life in the management of small vestibular schwannomas: Observation, radiotherapy and microsurgery
Authors: Deberge Sarah , Meyer Anais , Le Pabic Estelle , Peigne Lucie , Morandi Xavier , Godey Benoit 
Published: July 2018

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare quality of life (QOL) in small unilateral vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients managed by microsurgery, radiotherapy or observation.Study designA retrospective chart review.MethodsThe study included a total of 142 patients with VS stage 1 or 2 according to the Koos classification and treated between January 2004 and December 2015. Microsurgery, radiotherapy and observation groups comprised 43, 46 and 53 patients, respectively. All patients completed four QOL (questionnaires: Short‐Form Health Survey 36, Hearing Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory and Dizziness Handicap Inventory Short‐Form). Clinical symptoms and QOL were compared among groups.ResultsThe average time interval between management and filling in the questionnaires was 66 months. There was no difference in QOL between the three groups on any of the four questionnaires. The most debilitating symptom was vertigo for all three groups. Tinnitus was a pejorative factor in the surgery group. Hearing level was deteriorated after microsurgery but there was no significant difference between the radiotherapy group and the middle fossa approach.ConclusionPatients with small VS stage 1 and 2 had similar QOL, irrespective of management by observation, radiotherapy or microsurgery. The overall predictor for long‐term reduced QOL was vertigo. Vestibular rehabilitation could improve QOL in symptomatic patients.
Efficacy of bortezomib in non‐IgM type I cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis: a single‐centre retrospective case series
Authors: Lobbes Hervé , Grobost Vincent , Lemal Richard , Rieu Virginie , Le Guenno Guillaume , Ruivard Marc 
Published: July 2018

AbstractIntroductionTreatment of non‐IgM type I cryoglobulinaemic vasculitis (CV) is challenging. Corticosteroids are first‐line therapy, but relapses are frequent leading to therapeutic escalation. Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor with rapid effect on monoclonal component. However, its use in non‐IgM type I CV has been barely reported.ObjectiveTo assess the efficacy of bortezomib in non‐IgM type I CV.MethodSingle‐centre case series of four patients with non‐IgM type I CV treated with bortezomib monotherapy.ResultsTwo men and two women, 60‐84 years old, received bortezomib monotherapy. Monoclonal component was IgG‐λ (n = 2), IgA‐λ and IgG‐κ. Clinical features were necrotic rash (n = 3), synovitis (n = 3) and sensitive neuropathy (n = 2). CV was refractory to corticosteroids (n = 4), cyclophosphamide (n = 3) and rituximab (n = 2). Three patients experienced dramatic clinical improvement with undetectable cryoglobulin after three cycles (bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 weekly). Each patient relapsed 4‐18 months after treatment discontinuation. Bortezomib was unsuccessful after four cycles in one patient. Bortezomib toxicity included one pneumonia and 1 case of worsening neuropathic pain.ConclusionBortezomib in monotherapy should be considered as a valuable option in refractory non‐IgM type I CV because of its swift efficacy and acceptable tolerance profile.
Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with polycythaemia vera
Authors: Hatalova Antónia , Schwarz Jiri , Gotic Mirjana , Penka Miroslav , Hrubisko Mikulas , Kusec Rajko , Egyed Miklós , Griesshammer Martin , Podolak‐Dawidziak Maria , Hellmann Andrzej , Klymenko Sergiy , Niculescu‐Mizil Emilia , Petrides Petro E. , Grosicki Sebastian , Sever Matjaz , Cantoni Nathan , Thiele Jürgen , Wolf Dominik , Gisslinger Heinz 
Published: July 2018

AbstractObjectivesTo present the Central European Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Organisation (CEMPO) treatment recommendations for polycythaemia vera (PV).MethodsDuring meetings held from 2015 through 2017, CEMPO discussed PV and its treatment and recent data.ResultsPV is associated with increased risks of thrombosis/thrombo‐haemorrhagic complications, fibrotic progression and leukaemic transformation. Presence of Janus kinase (JAK)‐2 gene mutations is a diagnostic marker and standard diagnostic criterion. World Health Organization 2016 diagnostic criteria for PV, focusing on haemoglobin levels and bone marrow morphology, are mandatory. PV therapy aims at managing long‐term risks of vascular complications and progression towards transformation to acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. Risk stratification for thrombotic complications guides therapeutic decisions. Low‐risk patients are treated first line with low‐dose aspirin and phlebotomy. Cytoreduction is considered for low‐risk (phlebotomy intolerance, severe/progressive symptoms, cardiovascular risk factors) and high‐risk patients. Hydroxyurea is suspected of leukaemogenic potential. IFN‐α has demonstrated efficacy in many clinical trials; its pegylated form is best tolerated, enabling less frequent administration than standard interferon. Ropeginterferon alfa‐2b has been shown to be more efficacious than hydroxyurea. JAK1/JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib is approved for hydroxyurea resistant/intolerant patients.ConclusionsGreater understanding of PV is serving as a platform for new therapy development and treatment response predictors.
Conducting and reporting animal experimentation: Quo vadis?
Authors: Diaz Silvina L. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractMost scientific journals ask authors to include a statement in their articles that animal studies have been carried out in agreement with international regulations on the use and care of laboratory animals. This statement implies that all the experiments conducted on animals have been evaluated and accepted by an Ethical Committee and, that animal welfare has been put as a priority throughout the experimental protocol. Nevertheless, discrepancies are commonly found between the described procedures and the guidelines that are claimed to have been followed; this reveals a double dilemma. First, animal welfare is not always considered, implicating discomfort or even worse, suffering to animals involved. Secondly, revisions of manuscripts are sometimes done without taking into account ethical and regulatory aspects concerning the use of animals. Underestimation of pain or suffering, disregard for physiological parameters, and other examples recently reported in scientific journals by neuroscientists from all over the world are discussed in this article. In a period of great debate about the ethical use of animals, with society being involved and engaged in the discussion, this Neuro‐Opinion intends to call the attention of researchers, ethical committee members, and journal editors about the need of strictly endorsing international regulations and placing animal welfare as the top priority.
Aspidiella hartii (Cockerell 1895) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) on yam (Dioscorea spp.) tubers: a new pest regularly entering the European part of the EPPO region
Authors: Salerno M. , Mazzeo G. , Suma P. , Russo A. , Diana L. , Pellizzari G. , Porcelli F. 
Published: July 2018

Yam is an important West African crop and is an inexpensive source of carbohydrate. Many people of Central African origin living in South Italy buy imported tubers to prepare their preferred recipes. Aspidiella hartii (Cockerell) infests yam tubers marketed in Bari (South Italy). Adult female scales on tuber bark are brownish, subcircular and about 1.2 mm wide. Ventral shields (‘flags’) from dead individuals are also abundant. The pest reproduces during storage and covers the tuber. Removal of plant sap shrivels the tubers during their trade, reducing quality, viability and marketability of the product. Severe A. hartii infestation of tubers can also inhibit their resprouting or kill the plant in the country of origin. Dipping yam in concentrated pyrethroids, or organophosphate insecticide, storage in sawdust, paddy husk or wood ash or paraffin wax coating may help to control the pest, although dipping in pyrethroids or organophosphate insecticide is not allowed in Europe. The armoured scale also infests Colocasia sp. (Taro, Araceae) and Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam. (sweet potato, Convolvulaceae) causing similar damage. The presence of A. hartii host plants in Europe and the possible host‐shift of this pest to other crops in the region pose a risk for EPPO countries.
Fish dispersal in flowing waters: A synthesis of movement‐ and genetic‐based studies
Authors: Comte Lise , Olden Julian D. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEnhancing our understanding of fish dispersal is central to the success of modern‐day conservation efforts in freshwater ecosystems. However, methods seeking to estimate dispersal are diverse; ranging from direct estimation of individual movements, computation of dispersal kernels, to indirect assessment using measures of gene flow across riverscapes. An important question is whether results from these different approaches provide a consistent picture of the spatial scales of dispersal. Here, we performed a review and meta‐analysis of the literature reporting both individual movements and genetic data to characterize patterns of dispersal for riverine fishes globally. Across all the studies considered (Ndirect = 206; Nindirect = 205), our results suggest restricted magnitudes of dispersal for riverine fishes, but highlight a large heterogeneity among species, taxonomic orders and geographies. For instance, we found that the maximum parent–offspring dispersal distances varied from 69 m to 1,086 km (median = 12 km; Nspecies = 107), whereas the dispersal spread derived from isolation‐by‐distance slopes (σIBD) from genetic data ranged from 19 m to 250 km (median = 1 km; Nspecies = 56). Comparisons of species‐specific values also revealed significant and positive relationships between direct and indirect estimates of dispersal distances, indicating that organismal movement ability often translates into effective transmission of genes. Finally, this global overview pointed to important geographic and taxonomic disparities in the study of dispersal for riverine fishes. We thus encourage researchers to broaden the taxonomic and geographical scope of future investigations and identify emerging research frontiers where new scientific efforts are needed.
Resilience of tropical tree cover: The roles of climate, fire, and herbivory
Authors: Staal Arie , van Nes Egbert H. , Hantson Stijn , Holmgren Milena , Dekker Stefan C. , Pueyo Salvador , Xu Chi , Scheffer Marten 
Published: July 2018

AbstractFires and herbivores shape tropical vegetation structure, but their effects on the stability of tree cover in different climates remain elusive. Here, we integrate empirical and theoretical approaches to determine the effects of climate on fire‐ and herbivore‐driven forest‐savanna shifts. We analyzed time series of remotely sensed tree cover and fire observations with estimates of herbivore pressure across the tropics to quantify the fire–tree cover and herbivore–tree cover feedbacks along climatic gradients. From these empirical results, we developed a spatially explicit, stochastic fire‐vegetation model that accounts for herbivore pressure. We find emergent alternative stable states in tree cover with hysteresis across rainfall conditions. Whereas the herbivore–tree cover feedback can maintain low tree cover below 1,100 mm mean annual rainfall, the fire–tree cover feedback can maintain low tree cover at higher rainfall levels. Interestingly, the rainfall range where fire‐driven alternative vegetation states can be found depends strongly on rainfall variability. Both higher seasonal and interannual variability in rainfall increase fire frequency, but only seasonality expands the distribution of fire‐maintained savannas into wetter climates. The strength of the fire–tree cover feedback depends on the spatial configuration of tree cover: Landscapes with clustered low tree‐cover areas are more susceptible to cross a tipping point of fire‐driven forest loss than landscapes with scattered deforested patches. Our study shows how feedbacks involving fire, herbivores, and the spatial structure of tree cover explain the resilience of tree cover across climates.
Egg‐laying traits reflect shifts in dragonfly assemblages in response to different amount of tropical forest cover
Authors: Rodrigues Marciel Elio , Roque Fabio De Oliveira , Guillermo‐Ferreira Rhainer , Saito Victor S. , Samways Michael J. 
Published: July 2018

Abstract

Oviposition site selection by aquatic insects is usually influenced by both aquatic and terrestrial cues. Landscape changes (e.g. native vegetation loss) can affect the level of the reproductive success in aquatic insects, changing local species composition and richness.

We investigate whether forest cover loss around streams influences the number of species with exophytic (species which lay eggs directly on the water surface), endophytic (species which lay their eggs directly into plant tissue), or epiphytic (species which lay eggs on the exposed surface of rocks, leaves, trunks or other substrates protruding from the stream surface) oviposition behaviour in dragonfly assemblages.

We sampled adult dragonflies in 116 streams in a Neotropical savanna region in Brazil. The relationship between species richness for each behavioural category, and the proportion of forest cover around the streams, was tested using regression analysis.

We collected 2413 dragonfly (Anisoptera and Zygoptera) individuals, belonging to 8 families, 30 genera, and 63 species. Of these, 25 species were classified as exophytic, 28 as epiphytic, and 10 as endophytic. Our results show that the number of species with exophytic or epiphytic behaviour was strongly related to riparian forest loss.

Forest loss changes the habitat, and here, specifically changes site suitability for oviposition. We highlight the importance of using behavioural traits as a bioindicator tool for the assessment of anthropogenic impacts on tropical forest.
An odorant receptor mediates the attractiveness of cis‐jasmone to Campoletis chlorideae, the endoparasitoid of Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Sun Y.‐L. , Dong J.‐F. , Ning C. , Ding P.‐P. , Huang L.‐Q. , Sun J.‐G. , Wang C.‐Z. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractParasitic wasps rely on olfaction to locate their hosts in complex chemical environments. Odorant receptors (ORs) function together with well‐conserved odorant coreceptors (ORcos) to determine the sensitivity and specificity of olfactory reception. Campoletis chlorideae (Hymenoptera: Ichneunmonidae) is a solitary larval endoparasitoid of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, and some other noctuid species. To understand the molecular basis of C. chlorideae’s olfactory reception, we sequenced the transcriptome of adult male and female heads (including antennae) and identified 211 OR transcripts, with 95 being putatively full length. The tissue expression profiles, as assessed by reverse‐transcription PCR, showed that seven ORs were expressed only or more highly in female antennae. Their functions were analysed using the Xenopu slaevis oocyte expression system and two‐electrode voltage‐clamp recordings. CchlOR62 was tuned to cis‐jasmone, which was attractive to female C. chlorideae adults and H. armigera larvae in the subsequent behavioural assays. Further bioassays using caged plants showed that the parasitism rate of H. armigera larvae by C. chlorideae on cis‐jasmone‐treated tobacco plants was higher than on the control plants. Thus, cis‐jasmone appears to be an important infochemical involved in the interactions of plants, H. armigera and C. chlorideae, and CchlOR62 mediates the attractiveness of cis‐jasmone to C. chlorideae.
Biotic and abiotic factors shape the microbiota of wild‐caught populations of the arbovirus vectorCulicoides imicola
Authors: Díaz‐Sánchez S. , Hernández‐Jarguín A. , Torina A. , Fernández de Mera I. G. , Estrada‐Peña A. , Villar M. , La Russa F. , Blanda V. , Vicente J. , Caracappa S. , Gortazar C. , de la Fuente J. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBiting midges of the genusCulicoidesare known vectors of arboviruses affecting human and animal health. However, little is known aboutCulicoides imicolamicrobiota and its influence on this insect’s biology. In this study, the impact of biotic and abiotic factors onC. imicolamicrobiota was characterized using shotgun‐metagenomic sequencing of whole‐body DNA samples. Wild‐caughtC. imicolaadult nulliparous females were sampled in two locations from Sicily, Italy. The climatic variables of temperature and soil moisture from both localities were recorded together with potential host bloodmeal sources. Shared core microbiome amongC. imicolapopulations includedPseudomonas,Escherichia,Halomonas,CandidatusZinderia,Propionibacterium, andSchizosaccharomyces. Specific and unique taxa were also found inC. imicolafrom each location, highlighting similarities and differences in microbiome composition between the two populations. DNA and protein identification showed differences in host preferences between the two populations, withHomo sapiensandCanis lupus familiarisL. being the preferred bloodmeal source in both locations. A principal component analysis showed that the combined effect of host preferences (H. sapiens) and local soil moisture factors shape the microbiome composition of wild‐caught populations ofC. imicola. These results contribute to characterizing the role of the microbiome in insect adaptation and its utility in predicting geographic expansion ofCulicoidesspecies with potential implications for the control of vector‐borne diseases.
Particle therapy patient scheduling with limited starting time variations of daily treatments
Authors: Maschler Johannes , Raidl Günther R. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe particle therapy patient scheduling problem (PTPSP) arises in modern cancer treatment facilities that provide particle therapy. It consists of scheduling a set of therapies within a planning horizon of several months. A particularity of PTSP compared with classical radiotherapy scheduling is that therapies need not only be assigned to days but also scheduled within each day to account for the more complicated operational scenario. In an earlier work, we introduced this novel problem setting and provided first algorithms including an iterated greedy (IG) metaheuristic. In this work, we consider an important extension to the PTPSP emerging from practice in which the therapies should be provided on treatment days roughly at the same time. To be more specific, the variation between the starting times of the therapies' individual treatments should not exceed the given limits, and needs otherwise to be minimized. This additional constraint implies that the sequencing parts within each day can no longer be treated independently. To tackle this variant of PTPSP, we revise our previous IG and exchange its main components: the part of the applied construction heuristic for scheduling within the days and the local search algorithm. The resulting metaheuristic provides promising results for the proposed extension of the PTPSP and further enhances the existing approach for the original problem.
Evaluation of angiotensin II type‐1 receptor antibodies in primary aldosteronism and further considerations about their possible pathogenetic role
Authors: Sabbadin Chiara , Ceccato Filippo , Ragazzi Eugenio , Boscaro Marco , Betterle Corrado , Armanini Decio 
Published: July 2018

Angiotensin II type‐1 receptor autoantibodies (AT1RAb) have been involved in the genesis of primary aldosteronism (PA), both in aldosterone‐producing adenoma (APA) and in idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). In this study, we evaluated the titer of AT1RAb in 44 PA patients (15 with APA and 29 with IHA) compared with 18 normotensive healthy controls who were matched for gender and age. In 17 PA patients (6 APA and 11 IHA) the titer was evaluated under mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist treatment. We found that PA patients had a significantly higher titer of AT1RAb compared with controls (median values 33 [IQR 15.6] IU/mL vs 17.5 [IQR 10.8] IU/mL, respectively; P < 0.0001). No significant difference of the AT1RAb titer was reported among PA patients, subdivided according to the subtypes and the concomitant MR antagonist therapy. No significant correlation was detected between age, gender, BMI, blood pressure values, baseline aldosterone, ARR, and the AT1RAb titer of all patients enrolled. Our data confirm an increased titer of AT1RAb in both subtypes of PA, independently from the concomitant use of MR antagonists and clinical/biochemical characteristics of PA patients. The small sample of patients and the relatively short time of treatment could have influenced these results. Moreover, the ELISA assay fails to evaluate the bioactivity of AT1RAb. Further studies should evaluate if the subtype, the clinical/biochemical recovery of PA, or both, influence the pathogenetic role of AT1RAb. The possible autoimmune pathogenesis and reversal effect with AT1R blocker treatment in PA patients with AT1RAb positivity is intriguing and requires further study.