bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant competition alters the temporal dynamics of plant‐soil feedbacks
Authors: Bezemer T. Martijn , Jing Jingying , Bakx‐Schotman J. M. Tanja , Bijleveld Erik‐Jan 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Most studies on plant‐soil feedback (PSF) and plant competition measure the feedback response at one moment only. However, PSFs and competition may both change over time, and how PSF and competition interact over time is unclear.

We tested the temporal dynamics of PSF and interspecific competition for the forb Jacobaea vulgaris and the grass Holcus lanatus. We grew both species individually and in interspecific competition in soil that was first conditioned in the greenhouse by J. vulgaris, by H. lanatus or without plant growth. For a period of 11 weeks, we harvested plants twice a week and analysed the fungal and chemical composition of the different soils at the end of the first and second growth phase.

During the second growth phase, when grown in isolation, both species produced more biomass in heterospecific conditioned soil than in conspecific conditioned soil. Young J. vulgaris exhibited a strong negative conspecific feedback, but this effect diminished over time and became neutral in older plants. In contrast, when grown in competition, the negative conspecific feedback of J. vulgaris exacerbated over time. Older H. lanatus plants benefited more from heterospecific conditioning when competing with J. vulgaris, then when grown isolated.

Fungal community composition and soil chemistry differed significantly between soils but this was mainly driven by differences between plant‐conditioned and unconditioned soils. Remarkably, at the end of the second growth phase, fungal community composition was not explained by the legacy of the species that had been grown in the soil most recently, but still reflected the legacy of the first growth phase. We reexamined plant growth during a third growth phase. Biomass of J. vulgaris was still influenced by the treatments imposed during the first phase, while H. lanatus responded only to the plant growth treatments imposed during the second phase.

Synthesis. Our study shows that the direction and magnitude of PSF depends on plant age and competition, and also on soil legacy effects of earlier plant growth. These results highlight the need to incorporate dynamic PSFs in research on plant populations and communities.
Ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria are the primary N2O producers in an ammonia‐oxidizing archaea dominated alkaline agricultural soil
Authors: Meinhardt Kelley A. , Stopnisek Nejc , Pannu Manmeet W. , Strand Stuart E. , Fransen Steven C. , Casciotti Karen L. , Stahl David A. 
Published: April 2018

SummaryMost agricultural N2O emissions are a consequence of microbial transformations of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, and mitigating increases in N2O emission will depend on identifying microbial sources and variables influencing their activities. Here, using controlled microcosm and field studies, we found that synthetic N addition in any tested amount stimulated the production of N2O from ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria (AOB), but not archaea (AOA), from a bioenergy crop soil. The activities of these two populations were differentiated by N treatments, with abundance and activity of AOB increasing as nitrate and N2O production increased. Moreover, as N2O production increased, the isotopic composition of N2O was consistent with an AOB source. Relative N2O contributions by both populations were quantified using selective inhibitors and varying N availability. Complementary field analyses confirmed a positive correlation between N2O flux and AOB abundance with N application. Collectively, our data indicate that AOB are the major N2O producers, even with low N addition, and that better‐metered N application, complemented by selective inhibitors, could reduce projected N2O emissions from agricultural soils.
Colonic endoscopic mucosal resection in patients taking anticoagulants: Is heparin bridging therapy necessary?
Authors: Fujita Minoru , Murao Takahisa , Osawa Motoyasu , Hirai Shinsuke , Fukushima Shinya , Yo Syogen , Nakato Rui , Ishii Manabu , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Tamaki Takahiko , Sakakibara Takashi , Shiotani Akiko 
Published: April 2018

OBJECTIVEHeparin bridging therapy (HBT) reportedly increases the risk of post‐procedural bleeding, and its safety during endoscopic interventions remains unclear. We aimed to evaluate the effects of peri‐procedural HBT in patients taking anticoagulants who underwent colonic endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) for polyps.METHODSPatients who underwent colonic EMR while taking a single anticoagulant agent were enrolled in this study. Anticoagulants were temporarily ceased in all patients either without (the non‐HBT group, prospectively enrolled) or with HBT (the HBT group, retrospectively enrolled). The incidences of post‐procedural bleeding and anemia exacerbation and their length of hospitalization were evaluated and compared.RESULTSThere were altogether 43 consecutive adult patients (30 men; mean age 72.2 ± 7.4 years) in the non‐HBT group and 41 sex‐ and age‐matched adults (32 men; mean age 72.9 ± 8.3 years) in the HBT group. There were no significant differences in the location, number or size of resected polyps between the two groups. The percentage of patients with post‐procedural bleeding within 2 weeks after colonic EMR in the non‐HBT group was lower than that in the HBT group (2.3% vs 9.8%, P = 0.15), although the frequency of anemia exacerbation was not significantly different between the two groups. The total hospitalization length was shorter in the non‐HBT compared with the HBT group (4.5 days vs 6.0 days, P < 0.001).CONCLUSIONSNo patient in either group developed embolism during hospitalization. Colonic EMR with the temporary cessation of anticoagulants without HBT may be acceptable and beneficial for patients taking anticoagulants.
Environmental reservoirs for exoS+ and exoU+ strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Rutherford Victoria , Yom Kelly , Ozer Egon A. , Pura Olivia , Hughes Ami , Murphy Katherine R. , Cudzilo Laura , Mitchell David , Hauser Alan R. 
Published: April 2018

Summary
Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses its type III secretion system to inject the effector proteins ExoS and ExoU into eukaryotic cells, which subverts these cells to the bacterium's advantage and contributes to severe infections. We studied the environmental reservoirs of exoS+ and exoU+ strains of P. aeruginosa by collecting water, soil, moist substrates and plant samples from environments in the Chicago region and neighbouring states. Whole‐genome sequencing was used to determine the phylogeny and type III secretion system genotypes of 120 environmental isolates. No correlation existed between geographic separation of isolates and their genetic relatedness, which confirmed previous findings of both high genetic diversity within a single site and the widespread distribution of P. aeruginosa clonal complexes. After excluding clonal isolates cultured from the same samples, 74 exoS+ isolates and 16 exoU+ isolates remained. Of the exoS+ isolates, 41 (55%) were from natural environmental sites and 33 (45%) were from man‐made sites. Of the exoU+ isolates, only 3 (19%) were from natural environmental sites and 13 (81%) were from man‐made sites (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that man‐made water systems may be a reservoir from which patients acquire exoU+ P. aeruginosa strains.
Hypophosphatemia and duration of respiratory failure and mortality in critically ill patients
Authors: Federspiel C. K. , Itenov T. S. , Thormar K. , Liu K. D. , Bestle M. H. 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundHypophosphatemia has been associated with prolonged duration of respiratory failure and increased mortality in critically ill patients, but there is very limited evidence supporting the negative effects of low phosphate. We examined the association between hypophosphatemia at ICU admission and time to successful weaning and 28‐day mortality.MethodsThis was a cohort study that included all mechanically ventilated adult patients admitted to the ICU in 2013 at Nordsjællands Hospital. Hypophosphatemia was defined as a serum level below 0.80 mmol/L. Multivariate Cox‐regression was used to evaluate the effect of hypophosphatemia on mechanical ventilation and 28‐day mortality. Multiple imputation was used to adjust for missing values.ResultsA total of patients were admitted during the study period, of whom 190 were eligible. 122 (64.2%) had serum phosphate levels measured during the first 24 hours of admission, of whom 25 (20.5%) were found to be hypophosphatemic. About 74% of patients were successfully weaned from the ventilator within 28 days. Hypophosphatemia was not associated with this outcome (HR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.30‐1.04; P = .067). All‐cause 28‐day mortality was 32.6%. Hypophosphatemia was also not associated with 28‐day mortality (HR: 1.64; 95% CI: 0.65‐4.17; P = .447). Similar results were present in supplementary analysis where missing data were included by means of multiple imputation.ConclusionHypophosphatemia at ICU admission was not associated with prolonged respiratory failure nor mortality. Further studies are warranted, where phosphate is measured systematically on all patients to elucidate the effect of low phosphate on relevant outcomes.
Failure to Find Ethanol‐Induced Conditioned Taste Aversion in Honey Bees (Apis melliferaL.)
Authors: Varnon Christopher A. , Dinges Christopher W. , Black Timothy E. , Wells Harrington , Abramson Charles I. 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundConditioned taste aversion (CTA) learning is a highly specialized form of conditioning found across taxa that leads to avoidance of an initially neutral stimulus, such as taste or odor, that is associated with, but is not the cause of, a detrimental health condition. This study examines if honey bees (Apis melliferaL.) develop ethanol (EtOH)‐inducedCTA.MethodsRestrained bees were first administered a sucrose solution that was cinnamon scented, lavender scented, or unscented, and contained either 0, 2.5, 5, 10, or 20% EtOH. Then, 30 minutes later, we used a proboscis extension response (PER) conditioning procedure where the bees were taught to associate either cinnamon odor, lavender odor, or an air‐puff with repeated sucrose feedings. For some bees, the odor of the previously consumed EtOHsolution was the same as the odor associated with sucrose in the conditioning procedure. If bees are able to learn EtOH‐inducedCTA, they should show an immediate low level of response to odors previously associated with EtOH.ResultsWe found that bees did not developCTAdespite the substantial inhibitory and aversive effects EtOHhas on behavior. Instead, bees receiving a conditioning odor that was previously associated with EtOHshowed an immediate high level of response. While this demonstrates bees are capable of one‐trial learning common toCTAexperiments, this high level of response is the opposite of what would occur if the bees developed aCTA. Responding on subsequent trials also showed a general inhibitory effect of EtOH. Finally, we found that consumption of cinnamon extract reduced the effects of EtOH.ConclusionsThe honey bees' lack of learned avoidance to EtOHmirrors that seen in human alcoholism. These findings demonstrate the usefulness of honey bees as an insect model for EtOHconsumption.
Alcohol Delays the Onset of Puberty in the Female Rat by Altering Key Hypothalamic Events
Authors: Srivastava Vinod K. , Hiney Jill K. , Dees William L. 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundBecause alcohol (ALC) delays signs of pubertal development, we assessed the time course of events associated with the synthesis of critical hypothalamic peptides that regulate secretion of luteinizing hormone‐releasing hormone (LHRH), the peptide that drives the pubertal process.MethodsImmature female rats were administered either laboratory chow or BioServe isocaloric control or ALC‐liquid diets from 27 through 33 days of age. On days 28, 29, 31, and 33, animals were killed by decapitation and tissue blocks containing the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) and the rostral hypothalamic area (RHA) were isolated and stored frozen until assessed by Western blot analysis.ResultsSynthesis of dynorphin (DYN), a prepubertal inhibitor of LHRH secretion, was increased (p < 0.05) in the MBH of ALC‐treated animals by day 29. DYN was further elevated (p < 0.01) on day 33 and was associated with an increase (p < 0.01) in DYN receptor expression. ALC did not affect synthesis of neurokinin B (NKB), a prepubertal stimulator of LHRH; however, it did suppress (p < 0.05) NKB receptor expression in the MBH by day 31. The most potent stimulator of prepubertal LHRH secretion, kisspeptin (Kp), was also decreased (p < 0.05) in the MBH as early as day 29, with continued suppression (p < 0.01) through day 33. Similar timely suppressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), an immediate upstream regulator of Kp, were also noted. These decreases in mTOR and Kp were consistent with ALC stimulating (p < 0.05) the p‐AMP‐activated protein kinase/Raptor inhibitory pathway to mTOR on day 29, then later suppressing (p < 0.001) an Akt‐mediated induction pathway to mTOR by day 31. In the RHA, ALC affected the pathways regulating Kp in a manner similar to that described in the MBH; however, these effects were not noted until day 33.ConclusionsALC acts within the MBH as early as 29 days to induce inhibitor and repressor inputs to LHRH, while depressing stimulatory inputs to the peptide. Collectively, these events lead to delayed signs of pubertal development.
POLICY ADRIFT: CANADIAN CROWN CORPORATIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY
Authors: BERNIER Luc , DUTIL Patrice , HAFSI Taïeb 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTCanada has had a strong tradition of using state‐owned enterprises for economic development. ‘Crown corporations’, as State‐owned enterprises are known in Canada, were created with a built‐in autonomy for their commercial activities on the condition that they also fulfil policy objectives. Of late, however, policy objectives have been articulated more through regulations and governance models and are issued far more from central agencies such as the Treasury Board Secretariat than from the ‘home department’ of the agency. This article explores the evolution of the use of Crowns from the glory days of their formation to the privatization era of the 1980s and 1990s to the modern day. It examines how governance and control mechanisms have replaced policy directives. The picture given of the Canadian experience could be relevant for the coming years when these enterprises become more international and thus challenge the present arrangement.
An alternative derivation method of mixed model equations from best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) and restricted BLUP of breeding values not using maximum likelihood
Authors: Satoh Masahiro 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTwo mixed model equations (MME) for best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP) of breeding values and for restricted BLUP of breeding values were derived by maximum likelihood from the joint normal probability distribution of the observations and breeding values. As a result, MME is actually more general than maximum likelihood because we can prove that each set of solutions of MME are identical to BLUP and restricted BLUP of breeding values and then it does not depend on normality. In the present study, the author shows deriving directly each MME from BLUP and restricted BLUP equations for breeding values without assuming the joint normal distribution of the data and random effects. However, if we cannot assume the multivariate normal density distribution of the estimated aggregate breeding value and each breeding value for selected traits, the response to selection by restricted BLUP may deviate from the expected values.
Cumulative exposure to phthalates from phthalate‐containing drug products: a Danish population‐wide study
Authors: Ennis Zandra Nymand , Broe Anne , Pottegård Anton , Ahern Thomas P. , Hallas Jesper , Damkier Per 
Published: April 2018

AimsUp to 50‐fold higher levels of urinary phthalate metabolites have been observed in users of phthalate‐containing drug products compared with non‐users. This is of concern, as phthalates are suspected endocrine disrupters and have been associated with cancer development. This study aims to quantify annual cumulated phthalate exposure from drug products among users of phthalate‐containing oral medications in Denmark throughout the period of 2004–2016.MethodsWe conducted a Danish nationwide cohort study using The Danish National Prescription Registry and an internal database held by The Danish Medicines Agency. These databases hold information on drug products; date of dispensing, and the type and quantity of excipients in drugs with Danish marketing permission. We present the number of users over time and their distribution of exposure to enteric phthalate polymers and ortho‐phthalates.ResultsThe annual number of individuals exposed to phthalate‐containing products declined during 2004–2016. The total number of individuals exposed to dibutyl phthalate declined from 21 499 in 2004 to 5400 in 2016. However, among those exposed, the median dibutyl phthalate exposure remained above European regulatory limit of exposure ranging between 380–1710 mg/year throughout the study period. Lithium‐products constituted the majority of dibutyl phthalate exposure. Diethyl phthalate exposure, mainly caused by erythromycin, theophylline and diclofenac products, did not exceed the EMA regulatory limit.ConclusionWhile the number of individuals exposed to phthalates from oral medications during 2004–2016 declined, the use of phthalate‐containing drugs is still considerable.
Educational pelvic exams on anesthetized women: Why consent matters
Authors: Friesen Phoebe 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIt is argued here that the practice of medical students performing pelvic exams on women who are under anesthetic and have not consented is immoral and indefensible. This argument begins by laying out the ethical justification for the practice of informed consent, which can be found in autonomy and basic rights. Foregoing the process of consent within medicine can result in violations of both autonomy and basic rights, as well as trust, forming the basis of the wrong of unauthorized pelvic examinations. Several objections to this argument are considered, all of which stem from the idea that this practice constitutes an exception to the general requirement of informed consent. These objections suggest that nonconsensual pelvic examinations on women under anesthetic are ethically acceptable on utilitarian grounds, in that they offer benefits either to the patient or to society, or on the grounds of triviality, in that consent is already presumed, or the practice is insignificant. Each of these objections is rejected and the practice is deemed indefensible.
Impact of age on survival of locoregional nasopharyngeal carcinoma: An analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program database, 2004‐2013
Authors: Huang S.‐J. , Tang Y.‐Y. , Liu H.‐M. , Tan G.‐X. , Wang X. , Zhang H. , Yang F. , Yang S. 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesTo determine the impact of age at diagnosis and other factors on survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Design, Setting and ParticipantsA retrospective, population‐based cohort study of 3103 patients are selected, whose records were submitted to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2013. We evaluated the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who were 20 years or older with a diagnosis of primary, non‐metastatic NPC.Main outcome measuresOverall survival (OS) and risks of OS and NPC‐specific survival.ResultsOverall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 85.8%, 71.0%, and 62.6%, respectively. Older age was a significant predictor of poor OS, as was Chinese ethnicity. We also determined that middle‐aged white patients, but not middle‐aged black or Chinese patients, were at a higher risk of death than were younger patients of the same race/ethnicity. Nodal (N) stage 0‐1 disease was a significant predictor of poor OS when comparing survival of older patients with N0‐1 vs N2‐3 stage disease. Finally, we found that married patients had a decreased risk of death when compared to those who were single.ConclusionsThe survival of older patients with NPC is inferior to that of younger patients. Race/ethnicity, marital status, and stage of disease are important modifiers of risk. Collectively, our results indicate that management of older patients requires optimisation.
Mortality risk remains higher in individuals with type 1 diabetes: A population‐based cohort study (the Ayrshire diabetes follow‐up cohort [ADOC])
Authors: Collier Andrew , Connelly Paul J. , Hair Mario , Cameron Lyall , Ghosh Sujoy , Waugh Norman 
Published: April 2018

AimsType 1 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and all‐cause mortality. Numerous studies have demonstrated that outcomes for diabetes are improved by intensive glycaemic control, blood pressure control, and treatment of dyslipidaemia in addition to cessation of smoking. The aim of this study was to compare mortalities in individuals with type 1 diabetes with that in non‐diabetic individuals, and to investigate the effects of age, gender, glycaemic control, socio‐economic status, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease (IHD), smoking status, body mass index (BMI) and dyslipidaemia.MethodsA population‐based analysis in Ayrshire and Arran, Scotland included 253 304 non‐diabetic individuals and 1324 individuals with type 1 diabetes who were tracked from 2009 to 2014.ResultsPatients with type 1 diabetes had higher mortality rates than non‐diabetic individuals (HR, 3.20; P < .01), with relative mortality in female individuals with type 1 diabetes being higher than that in males (OR, 2.38 vs 1.52; P < .01). Increasing age (HR, 2.37), smoking (HR, 1.85), IHD (HR, 1.62) and hypertension (HR, 1.21) (all P < .01) increased mortality risk. A hypertensive female with type 1 diabetes and IHD who smoked had an HR of 11.6 compared with a non‐smoking, normotensive non‐diabetic female without IHD. For a hypertensive male with type 1 diabetes and IHD who smoked, HR was 6.96. BMI > 30 kg/m2 was associated with reduced mortality risk in both non‐diabetic (HR, 0.61) and diabetic subjects (HR, 0.40).ConclusionsThis study confirmed that the risk of mortality in individuals with type 1 diabetes remains elevated. Further studies are required to understand how gender affects the disparity in mortality and why obesity appears to be protective.
The potentials of game‐based environments for integrated, immersive learning data
Authors: Groff Jennifer S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn the last two decades, game‐based learning environments have evolved into powerful learning tools. With the growth and evolution in complexity of these innovations, complementary work in game‐based assessment design has also begun to take shape and has generated considerable interest among a variety of education stakeholders. This is in part due to their ability to offer real‐time, adaptive and integrated formative feedback. As the use of digital devices and digital learning tools continues to expand in schools, the potential for harnessing learning data becomes increasingly possible and powerful. Yet there are inherent tensions and challenges in the nature of collecting assessment data inside a game‐based learning environment which confront our foundational premises of what makes for a good assessment. In this article, we explore the evolution and opportunities of the emerging field of game‐based assessment, the challenges and tensions these innovations present and how we may be able to collectively advance this work to benefit everyday classrooms.