bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil phenotypes in health and disease
Authors: Hellebrekers Pien , Vrisekoop Nienke , Koenderman Leo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNeutrophils are one of the most important effector cells of the innate immune response (1). They are traditionally seen as a homogenous population of short‐lived cells mainly involved in the defence against extracellular microorganisms by phagocytosis and intracellular killing (1,2). The cells contain a large armamentarium that aids in this function and ranges from the production of reactive oxygen species by a membrane‐bound NADPH oxidase to cytotoxic proteins and peptides residing in the different granules present in the cytoplasm (3). Recently, the view of neutrophils belonging to a homogenous population of cells has been challenged, and several neutrophil phenotypes have been described that exhibit specialized functions, such as involvement in tissue repair, tumour killing and immune regulation (4). It is not clear whether these cells belong to separate parallel lineages originating from the bone marrow or that neutrophils become instructed in the distant tissues, thus changing their phenotypes. In addition, functional heterogeneity in a phenotypically homogenous population of neutrophils adds to the complexity of neutrophil phenotypes(5). This article will review the current literature describing the heterogeneity within the neutrophil compartment with respect to both phenotype and function in health and disease.
Clinical effects of antiplatelet drugs and statins on D‐dimer levels
Authors: Schol‐Gelok Suzanne , van der Hulle Tom , Biedermann Joseph S. , van Gelder Teun , Klok Frederikus A. , van der Pol Liselotte M. , Versmissen Jorie , Huisman Menno V. , Kruip Marieke J. H. A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundAcute pulmonary embolism may be ruled out by combining nonhigh clinical probability and a normal D‐dimer level. Both antiplatelet drugs and HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have been associated with effects on thrombus formation, potentially influencing D‐dimer levels in this setting, leading to a higher rate of false‐negative tests. Therefore, we determined whether D‐dimer levels in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism are affected by concomitant use of antiplatelet drugs and/or statins and evaluated whether the effect of antiplatelet drugs or statins might affect diagnostic accuracy.Materials and methodsWe performed a posthoc analysis in the YEARS diagnostic study, comparing age‐ and sex‐adjusted D‐dimer levels among users of antiplatelet drugs, statins and nonusers. We then reclassified patients within the YEARS algorithm by developing a model in which we adjusted D‐dimer cut‐offs for statin use and evaluated diagnostic accuracy.ResultsWe included 156 statins users, 147 antiplatelet drugs users and 726 nonusers of either drugs, all with suspected pulmonary embolism. Use of antiplatelet drugs did not have a significant effect, whereas statin use was associated with 15% decrease in D‐dimer levels (95% CI, −28% to −0.6%). An algorithm with lower D‐dimer thresholds in statin users yielded lower specificity (0.42 compared to 0.33) with no difference in false‐negative tests.ConclusionsWe conclude that use of statins but not of antiplatelet agents is associated with a modest decrease in D‐dimer levels. Adjusting D‐dimer cut‐offs for statin use did, however, not result in a safer diagnostic strategy in our cohort.
Blood pressure levels in the acute phase after intracerebral hemorrhage are associated with mortality in young adults
Authors: Mustanoja S. , Putaala J. , Koivunen R.‐J. , Surakka I. , Tatlisumak T. 
Published: April 2018

Background and purposeBlood pressure (BP) levels in acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and mortality have not been thoroughly studied in the young.MethodsThe relationship between BP and mortality was assessed in consecutive patients with first‐ever, non‐traumatic acute ICH at ≤50 years of age, enrolled in the Helsinki ICH Young Study. BP parameters included systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure (SBP − DBP) at admission and 24 h, and delta (admission–24 h) BP parameters. Outcome measures were 3‐month and long‐term mortalities, adjusted for demographics and ICH score parameters for short‐term and cardiovascular risk factors for long‐term prognostics. Cox regression models were used to assess independent BP parameters associated with mortality.ResultsOf our 334 patients (61% male), 92 (27%) had pre‐stroke hypertension and 54 (16%) used antihypertensive treatment. The follow‐up extended to 17 years with a median of 12 (interquartile range, 9.65–14.7) years. Both 3‐month (n = 56; 16%) and long‐term (n = 97; 29%) mortalities were associated with significantly higher admission SBP and mean arterial pressure levels, but not with 24‐h BP levels, compared with survivors. Patients with SBP ≥ 160 mmHg (n = 156; 46%) had a significantly higher mortality rate (n = 59, 17% vs. n = 38, 11%; P = 0.001) and died earlier (9.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.9–12.9 years vs. 11.3; 95% confidence interval, 8.1–13.9 years; P = 0.001) within the follow‐up period. In multivariable analyses, admission SBP ≥160 mmHg was independently associated with both 3‐month (hazard ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.19–5.24; P < 0.05) and long‐term (hazard ratio, 2.02; 95% confidence interval, 1.18–3.43; P < 0.01) mortalities.ConclusionsIn young patients with ICH, acute‐phase SBP levels ≥160 mmHg are independently associated with increased mortality.
Kappa free light chains in cerebrospinal fluid to identify patients with oligoclonal bands
Authors: Süße M. , Hannich M. , Petersmann A. , Zylla S. , Pietzner M. , Nauck M. , Dressel A. 
Published: April 2018

Background and purposeThe gold standard for detection of intrathecal immunoglobulin synthesis is the measurement of oligoclonal bands (OCB). In the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, the kappa free light chains (KFLC) index has a similar sensitivity and specificity as OCB. This study investigated whether determination of the KFLC index could be used to predict the presence of OCB.MethodsThe KFLC index was determined prospectively from 295 paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples. KFLC were determined by nephelometry using the N Latex FLC kappa kit (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products GmbH) on the BN Prospec analyzer (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Products GmbH) (cohort I). A cut‐off value was determined using receiver operating characteristic analysis in relation to OCB positivity. These results were validated prospectively in 96 samples (cohort II) as well as retrospectively in samples of 46 patients known to be OCB positive (cohort III). We also compared the agreement of two commercially available nephelometric KFLC assays.ResultsIn cohort I, a KFLC index of 3.61 yielded 100% sensitivity and 88% specificity. Prospective validation of this cut‐off value in cohort II showed 92% sensitivity and 96% specificity. In cohort III, a sensitivity of 93% was achieved. Comparison of Siemens and Binding Site (Birmingham, UK) assays revealed good agreement (r2 = 0.86).ConclusionsThe KFLC index with a cut‐off value of 3.61 had high diagnostic accuracy to predict immunoglobulin G synthesis via OCB analysis. Determination of the KFLC index provided a quantitative parameter that could be used as an initial diagnostic step in inflammatory central nervous system disorders before measuring OCB.
Different as night and day: Patterns of isolated seizures, clusters, and status epilepticus
Authors: Goldenholz Daniel M. , Rakesh Kshitiz , Kapur Kush , Gaínza‐Lein Marina , Hodgeman Ryan , Moss Robert , Theodore William H. , Loddenkemper Tobias 
Published: April 2018

SummaryUsing approximations based on presumed U.S. time zones, we characterized day and nighttime seizure patterns in a patient‐reported database, Seizure Tracker. A total of 632 995 seizures (9698 patients) were classified into 4 categories: isolated seizure event (ISE), cluster without status epilepticus (CWOS), cluster including status epilepticus (CIS), and status epilepticus (SE). We used a multinomial mixed‐effects logistic regression model to calculate odds ratios (ORs) to determine night/day ratios for the difference between seizure patterns: ISE versus SE, ISE versus CWOS, ISE versus CIS, and CWOS versus CIS. Ranges of OR values were reported across cluster definitions. In adults, ISE was more likely at night compared to CWOS (OR = 1.49, 95% adjusted confidence interval [CI] = 1.36‐1.63) and to CIS (OR = 1.61, 95% adjusted CI = 1.34‐1.88). The ORs for ISE versus SE and CWOS versus SE were not significantly different regardless of cluster definition. In children, ISE was less likely at night compared to SE (OR = 0.85, 95% adjusted CI = 0.79‐0.91). ISE was more likely at night compared to CWOS (OR = 1.35, 95% adjusted CI = 1.26‐1.44) and CIS (OR = 1.65, 95% adjusted CI = 1.44‐1.86). CWOS was more likely during the night compared to CIS (OR = 1.22, 95% adjusted CI = 1.05‐1.39). With the exception of SE in children, our data suggest that more severe patterns favor daytime. This suggests distinct day/night preferences for different seizure patterns in children and adults.
Long‐term outcome of treatment of a squamous cell carcinoma of the foot by amputation of the distal limb in a pony
Authors: Moulin N. , Schramme M. , François I. , Castelijns G. , Belluco S. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryThis report describes a rare case of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in a 10‐year‐old Shetland pony. The pony was presented for evaluation of a chronic, ulcerating mass of the foot associated with a nonweightbearing lameness of the right forelimb. Foot radiographs revealed an aggressive bone lesion with severe osteolysis of the distal phalanx. Amputation of the digit was performed under general anaesthesia at the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint using a palmar flap technique and a transfixation cast for protection of the stump. Avascular necrosis, infection and dehiscence of the stump occurred 3 weeks later and a second amputation was performed at the level of the proximal third of the third metacarpal bone. Histopathology revealed a squamous cell carcinoma. After healing of the stump, a prosthesis was fitted to the limb for improved ambulation of the pony. Two years after the amputation, telephone follow‐up with the referring veterinarian and the owner, revealed that the pony was healthy and able to go out daily in a paddock with its prosthesis.SCCrepresents an unusual indication for limb amputation. Successful outcome is rarely reported in horses.
Metapopulation dynamics in a changing climate: Increasing spatial synchrony in weather conditions drives metapopulation synchrony of a butterfly inhabiting a fragmented landscape
Authors: Kahilainen Aapo , van Nouhuys Saskya , Schulz Torsti , Saastamoinen Marjo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHabitat fragmentation and climate change are both prominent manifestations of global change, but there is little knowledge on the specific mechanisms of how climate change may modify the effects of habitat fragmentation, for example, by altering dynamics of spatially structured populations. The long‐term viability of metapopulations is dependent on independent dynamics of local populations, because it mitigates fluctuations in the size of the metapopulation as a whole. Metapopulation viability will be compromised if climate change increases spatial synchrony in weather conditions associated with population growth rates. We studied a recently reported increase in metapopulation synchrony of the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia) in the Finnish archipelago, to see if it could be explained by an increase in synchrony of weather conditions. For this, we used 23 years of butterfly survey data together with monthly weather records for the same period. We first examined the associations between population growth rates within different regions of the metapopulation and weather conditions during different life‐history stages of the butterfly. We then examined the association between the trends in the synchrony of the weather conditions and the synchrony of the butterfly metapopulation dynamics. We found that precipitation from spring to late summer are associated with theM. cinxiaper capita growth rate, with early summer conditions being most important. We further found that the increase in metapopulation synchrony is paralleled by an increase in the synchrony of weather conditions. Alternative explanations for spatial synchrony, such as increased dispersal or trophic interactions with a specialist parasitoid, did not show paralleled trends and are not supported. The climate driven increase inM. cinxiametapopulation synchrony suggests that climate change can increase extinction risk of spatially structured populations living in fragmented landscapes by altering their dynamics.
Catalytic power of enzymes decreases with temperature: New insights for understanding soil C cycling and microbial ecology under warming
Authors: Alvarez Gaël , Shahzad Tanvir , Andanson Laurence , Bahn Michael , Wallenstein Matthew D. , Fontaine Sébastien 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMost current models of soil C dynamics predict that climate warming will accelerate soil C mineralization, resulting in a long‐term CO2 release and positive feedback to global warming. However, ecosystem warming experiments show that CO2 loss from warmed soils declines to control levels within a few years. Here, we explore the temperature dependence of enzymatic conversion of polymerized soil organic C (SOC) into assimilable compounds, which is presumed the rate‐limiting step of SOC mineralization. Combining literature review, modelling and enzyme assays, we studied the effect of temperature on activity of enzymes considering their thermal inactivation and catalytic activity. We defined the catalytic power of enzymes (Epower) as the cumulative amount of degraded substrate by one unit of enzyme until its complete inactivation. We show a universal pattern of enzyme's thermodynamic properties: activation energy of catalytic activity (EAcat) < activation energy of thermal inactivation (EAinact). By investing in stable enzymes (high EAinact) having high catalytic activity (low EAcat), microorganisms may maximize the Epower of their enzymes. The counterpart of such EAs’ hierarchical pattern is the higher relative temperature sensitivity of enzyme inactivation than catalysis, resulting in a reduction in Epower under warming. Our findings could explain the decrease with temperature in soil enzyme pools, microbial biomass (MB) and carbon use efficiency (CUE) reported in some warming experiments and studies monitoring the seasonal variation in soil enzymes. They also suggest that a decrease in soil enzyme pools due to their faster inactivation under warming contributes to the observed attenuation of warming effect on soil C mineralization. This testable theory predicts that the ultimate response of SOC degradation to warming can be positive or negative depending on the relative temperature response of Epower and microbial production of enzymes.
Temperature sensitivity of soil microbial activity modeled by the square root equation as a unifying model to differentiate between direct temperature effects and microbial community adaptation
Authors: Bååth Erland 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNumerous models have been used to express the temperature sensitivity of microbial growth and activity in soil making it difficult to compare results from different habitats. Q10 still is one of the most common ways to express temperature relationships. However, Q10 is not constant with temperature and will differ depending on the temperature interval used for the calculation. The use of the square root (Ratkowsky) relationship between microbial activity (A) and temperature below optimum temperature, = a × (T−Tmin), is proposed as a simple and adequate model that allow for one descriptor, Tmin (a theoretical minimum temperature for growth and activity), to estimate correct Q10‐values over the entire in situ temperature interval. The square root model can adequately describe both microbial growth and respiration, allowing for an easy determination of Tmin. Q10 for any temperature interval can then be calculated by Q10 = [(T + 10 − Tmin)/(T−Tmin)]2, where T is the lowest temperature in the Q10 comparison. Tmin also describes the temperature adaptation of the microbial community. An envelope of Tmin covering most natural soil habitats varying between −15°C (cold habitats like Antarctica/Arctic) to 0°C (tropical habitats like rain forests and deserts) is suggested, with an 0.3°C increase in Tmin per 1°C increase in mean annual temperature. It is shown that the main difference between common temperature relationships used in global models is differences in the assumed temperature adaptation of the soil microbial community. The use of the square root equation will allow for one descriptor, Tmin, determining the temperature response of soil microorganisms, and at the same time allow for comparing temperature sensitivity of microbial activity between habitats, including future projections.
Correlates of spread rates for introduced insects
Authors: Fahrner Samuel , Aukema Brian H. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimThe rate at which introduced insects disperse into novel habitats is a key determinant of the impacts of biological invasions and the efficacy of importation biological control programs. Understanding which life‐history traits or abiotic factors moderate spread rates is important for designing trapping and eradication programs for invasive insects and for designing release protocols of imported natural enemies. Our aim was to identify variables that can explain variation in spread rates of introduced insects.LocationGlobal. Spread rates from 30 different countries were compiled.Time period1976–2014.Major taxon studiedInsecta.MethodsWe compiled 147 published spread rates of 86 non‐native insects. Spread rates were averaged per species so that each insect was only represented once in statistical analyses. Simultaneously, we collected information on several variables associated with the introduced insects such as adult longevity, diet breadth, diet preference, eusociality, fecundity, taxonomic order, role of passive dispersal (important versus not important), size, type (invasive species versus biological control agent), voltinism (i.e., the number of generations per year) and duration of spread. In addition to analysis of the complete data set, analyses of several subsets of the data were conducted to determine robustness and sensitivity of findings.ResultsIn the global analysis, voltinism was clearly the most significant predictor of spread rates. Insects with more than one generation per year spread faster than those with one or fewer generations. Analyses limited to either invasive species or importation biological agents further confirmed that multivoltine insects spread faster on average than univoltine insects.Main conclusionsWhereas previous work has shown that accidentally introduced insects spread faster than those introduced intentionally, the identification of voltinism as a key predictor of spread may enhance risk analyses and accuracy of forecasting, especially where a changing climate may alter patterns of voltinism.
Trends and potential expansions in the environmental histories of British Malaya
Authors: Lee Joanna W. C. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe field of environmental history has been incredibly useful in further understanding the British Empire. Studies of Empire have explored a myriad of areas and intellectual themes, these encompassing political, material, and cultural environmental histories. Nonetheless, new trends in the field have yet to be applied to the region of British Malaya, where issues of colonial development such as those pertaining to cash crops, mining, and forestry remain the primary focus. The study of cultural environmental history, or how nature has been represented in various media, remains under‐explored. Given the potential of British Malaya in contributing to cultural environmental history and vice versa, the following article provides an overview of British Malayan environmental historiography and suggests a number of ways in which it can be expanded. Additionally, it offers a brief example of how texts such as historical novels might be read as an alternative source.
Mineral density in carious dentine after treatment with calcium silicates and polyacrylic acid‐based cements
Authors: Pires P. M. , Santos T. P. , Fonseca‐Gonçalves A. , Pithon M. M. , Lopes R. T. , Neves A. A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAimTo test the hypothesis that polyacrylic acid‐based and calcium silicate materials are able to increase mineral density of artificially demineralized dentine produced by a microcosm model for caries formation.MethodologyForty‐five dentine cavities were prepared in nine sound human third molars (five in each tooth). Specimens received a bacterial inoculum and were incubated in BHI plus 5% of sucrose for 96 h to allow biofilm formation. After that, the specimens were scanned in a high energy micro‐CT (baseline stack) and then, each cavity was filled with different cements: zinc polycarboxylate (Poly Zinc™, Prevest DenPro, Jammu, India), conventional glass–ionomer (Ketac Molar, 3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany) and two calcium silicate‐based materials (MTA, Angelus, Londrina, Brazil and Biodentine™, Septodont, Saint Maur des Fosses, France) whilst the central cavity was filled with utility wax (negative control). Specimens were kept for 45 days under simulated intrapulpal pressure using simulated body fluid and after, they were again scanned (treated stacks). Reconstruction of the acquired projections was accomplished using standardized parameters, and the percentage mineral density change was calculated around each cavity. Data were tested for normality using the Shapiro–Wilk test, followed by nonparametric methods.ResultsA microcosm artificial caries model was able to cause dentine demineralization (±90% related to sound dentine). Significant increases in dentine mineral density were achieved using MTA or Poly Zinc™ (43.56% and 41.64% remineralization), followed by Biodentine™ (36.40%) and Ketac Molar (32.54%), P < 0.05.ConclusionAll cements increased mineral density in demineralized dentine, but zinc polycarboxylate cement and MTA had greater bioactive potential. Micro‐CT proved to be an effective method to evaluate changes in mineral density within dentine in contact with bioactive materials.