bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Some like it hot: from individual to population responses of an arboreal arid‐zone gecko to local and distant climate
Authors: Grimm‐Seyfarth Annegret , Mihoub Jean‐Baptiste , Gruber Bernd , Henle Klaus 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAccumulating evidence has demonstrated considerable impact of climate change on biodiversity, with terrestrial ectotherms being particularly vulnerable. While climate‐induced range shifts are often addressed in the literature, little is known about the underlying ecological responses at individual and population levels. Using a 30‐yr monitoring study of the long‐living nocturnal geckoGehyra variegatain arid Australia, we determined the relative contribution of climatic factors acting locally (temperature, rainfall) or distantly (La Niña induced flooding) on ecological processes ranging from traits at the individual level (body condition, body growth) to the demography at population level (survival, sexual maturity, population sizes). We also investigated whether thermoregulatory activity during both active (night) and resting (daytime) periods of the day can explain these responses.Gehyra variegataresponded to local and distant climatic effects. Both high temperatures and high water availability enhanced individual and demographic parameters. Moreover, the impact of water availability was scale independent as local rainfall and La Niña induced flooding compensated each other. When water availability was low, however, extremely high temperatures delayed body growth and sexual maturity while survival of individuals and population sizes remained stable. This suggests a trade‐off with traits at the individual level that may potentially buffer the consequences of adverse climatic conditions at the population level. Moreover, hot temperatures did not impact nocturnal nor diurnal behavior. Instead, only cool temperatures induced diurnal thermoregulatory behavior with individuals moving to exposed hollow branches and even outside tree hollows for sun‐basking during the day. Since diurnal behavioral thermoregulation likely induced costs on fitness, this could decrease performance at both individual and population level under cool temperatures. Our findings show that water availability rather than high temperature is the limiting factor in our focal population ofG. variegata. In contrast to previous studies, we stress that drier rather than warmer conditions are expected to be detrimental for nocturnal desert reptiles. Identifying the actual limiting climatic factors at different scales and their functional interactions at different ecological levels is critical to be able to predict reliably future population dynamics and support conservation planning in arid ecosystems.
Remote sensing of ecosystem trajectories as a proxy indicator for watershed water balance
Authors: Chasmer L.E. , Devito K.J. , Hopkinson C.D. , Petrone R.M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEcosystem trajectories are inextricably linked to hydrology; however, water availability is not easily observed within the landscape. The response of vegetation to soil water availability may provide an indicator of local hydrology and the resilience or sensitivity of ecosystems to long‐term changes in water balance. In this study, vegetation trajectories derived from Landsat Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index over a 22‐year period are used as an indicator of spatio‐temporal changes of watershed water balance and surface water storage within 6 proximal watersheds of the Boreal Plains ecozone of Alberta, Canada. The interactions between hydrology, topography, geology, and land cover type are examined as they relate to vegetation change.In this study, we find that run‐off ratio (run‐off/precipitation) is greater within watersheds with greater variability of relief, compared within subhumid, wetland‐dominated watersheds (average = 0.35, 0.20, respectively), which experience lagged run‐off response. A 2‐year drought had a greater impact on vegetation trajectories within variable relief watersheds containing a high proportion of coarse‐grain surficial geology, compared with peatland‐dominated watersheds. The drought extended for an additional 1 to 2 years within 3 subhumid watersheds, reducing watershed run‐off to less than 50 mm per water year (November to October) in 2 watersheds. However, proportional area of decline of Modified Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index was significantly less within these watersheds. The results of this study indicate that wetlands play an important role for local water balance and ecosystem maintenance during periods of water stress and should be considered within land use planning and reclamation strategies of the Boreal Plains.
Spatially explicit abundance estimation of a rare habitat specialist: implications forSECRstudy design
Authors: Kristensen Thea V. , Kovach Adrienne I. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEstimating abundance is an essential component of monitoring and recovery of rare species, and spatially explicit capture–recapture (SECR) models provide the means for robust density estimation. Previous work has elucidated principles ofSECRstudy design for large, generalist carnivores, but less attention has been paid to study design considerations for smaller species, with less extensive home ranges. Here, we integrated data from an intensive pilot study with simulation modeling to evaluate the influence of survey sampling intensity on precision and accuracy inSECRabundance estimation for a rare lagomorph that specializes on patchily distributed early‐successional habitats. Doing so, we obtained the first mark–recapture density estimates for the New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis). Capture probability and density on the landscape both impacted the required intensity of the sampling design. The optimal study design for robust estimation also required a greater number of traps relative to home range size or spatial extent than those recommended in priorSECRstudies. This divergence emphasizes thatSECRstudy design considerations will differ among organisms with varying spatial extent and habitat use. Demonstrating the appropriate sampling design for a study system is important prior to embarking in aSECRstudy. Integrating pilot empirical data with simulations provides a powerful means for optimizingSECRstudy design and for facilitating applicability ofSECRapproaches to a wider array of organisms with varying habitat and space use. This methodology may be employed in planning a monitoring program that maximizes effectiveness while minimizing cost and effort, as part of the adaptive management approach to monitor and recover rare or endangered species.
Effectiveness of a transition plan at discharge of patients hospitalized with heart failure: a before‐and‐after study
Authors: Garnier Antoine , Rouiller Nathalie , Gachoud David , Nachar Carole , Voirol Pierre , Griesser Anne‐Claude , Uhlmann Marc , Waeber Gérard , Lamy Olivier 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimsWe evaluated the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary transition plan to reduce early readmission among heart failure patients.Methods and resultsWe conducted a before‐and‐after study in a tertiary internal medicine department, comparing 3 years of retrospective data (pre‐intervention) and 13 months of prospective data (intervention period). Intervention was the introduction in 2013 of a transition plan performed by a multidisciplinary team. We included all consecutive patients hospitalized with symptomatic heart failure and discharged to home. The outcomes were the fraction of days spent in hospital because of readmission, based on the sum of all days spent in hospital, and the rate of readmission. The same measurements were used for those with potentially avoidable readmissions. Four hundred thirty‐one patients were included and compared with 1441 patients in the pre‐intervention period. Of the 431 patients, 138 received the transition plan while 293 were non‐completers. Neither the fraction of days spent for readmissions nor the rate of readmission decreased during the intervention period. However, non‐completers had a higher rate of the fraction of days spent for 30 day readmission (19.2% vs. 16.1%, P = 0.002) and for potentially avoidable readmission (9.8% vs. 13.2%, P = 0.001). The rate of potentially avoidable readmission decreased from 11.3% (before) to 9.9% (non‐completers) and 8.7% (completers), reaching the adjusted expected range given by SQLape® (7.7–9.1%).ConclusionsA transition plan, requiring many resources, could decrease potentially avoidable readmission but shows no benefit on overall readmission. Future research should focus on potentially avoidable readmissions and other indicators such as patient satisfaction, adverse drug events, or adherence.
Inhibition of sympathetic sprouting in CCD rats by lacosamide
Authors: Wang Y. , Huo F. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundEarly hyperexcitability activity of injured nerve/neuron is critical for developing sympathetic nerve sprouting within dorsal root ganglia (DRG) since lacosamide (LCM), an anticonvulsant, inhibits Na+ channel. The present study tried to test the potential effect of LCM on inhibiting sympathetic sprouting in vivo.MethodsLacosamide (50 mg/kg) was daily injected intraperitoneally into rats subjected to chronic compression DRG (CCD), an animal model of neuropathic pain that exhibits sympathetic nerve sprouting, for the 1st 7 days after injury. Mechanical sensitivity was tested from day 3 to day 18 after injury, and then DRGs were removed off. Immunohistochemical staining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was examined to observe sympathetic sprouting, and patch‐clamp recording was performed to test the excitability and Na+ current of DRG neurons.ResultsEarly systemic LCM treatment significantly reduced TH immunoreactivity density in injured DRG, lowered the excitability level of injured DRG neurons and increased paw withdrawal threshold. These effects on reducing sympathetic sprouting, inhibiting excitability and suppressing pain behaviour were observed 10 days after the end of early LCM injection. In vitro 100 μmol/L LCM instantly reduced the excitability of CCD neurons via inhibiting Na+ current and reducing the amplitude of AP.ConclusionsAll the findings suggest, for the first time, that early administration of LCM inhibited sympathetic sprouting and then alleviated neuropathic pain.SignificanceEarly LCM administration inhibited sympathetic sprouting within DRG in CCD rats via reducing hyperexcitability of neurons. Early LCM administration suppressed neuropathic pain in CCD rats.
Opioid intake prior to admission is not increased in elderly patients with low‐energy fractures: A case–control study in a German hospital population
Authors: Schwarzer A. , Kaisler M. , Kipping K. , Seybold D. , Rausch V. , Maier C. , Vollert J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies revealed an increased prescription rate of opioids for elderly patients suffering bone fractures. To gain further insight, we conducted face‐to‐face interviews in the present study to compare the opioid intake between patients with low‐energy fractures and patients suffering from internal diseases.MethodsIn this case–control study, 992 patients, aged 60 years and older, were enrolled between March 2014 and February 2015. The interview comprised a fall and medication history, comorbidities, mobility and other risk factors for fractures. Odds ratios (OR) and a multiple logistic regression model were calculated.ResultsThe number of patients with pre‐admission opioid intake in the last 12 months was comparable in the fracture (n = 399, 13.3%) and the control group (n = 593, 14.7% OR: 0.89, CI: 0.62–1.29). The number of patients with current opioid intake of short duration (<3 months) was similar in both groups (14% vs. 20%; OR: 0.66, CI: 0.23–1.93). Patients with opioid intake in the fracture group reported more frequently fatigue as an adverse event of opioid medication (58% vs. 30%; OR: 3.32, CI: 1.48–7.45). Patients with opioid intake showed more severe comorbidities and significantly decreased mobility compared to those without opioids.ConclusionElderly patients internalized due to low‐energy fractures did not take opioids more frequently than patients with internal admission, for both short (<3 months) and longer duration intake. Patients with opioid intake were generally in poorer physical condition. The risk of fracture might increase in patients suffering from fatigue as a side effect of opioid medication.SignificanceThis study is based on face‐to‐face interviews with patients, including details about side effects and fracture history, providing a more pronounced picture of the relation of opioid intake and risk of fracture.
Suspicious binds: Conspiracy thinking and tenuous perceptions of causal connections between co‐occurring and spuriously correlated events
Authors: van der Wal Reine C. , Sutton Robbie M. , Lange Jens , Braga João P. N. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPrevious research indicates that conspiracy thinking is informed by the psychological imposition of order and meaning on the environment, including the perception of causal relations between random events. Four studies indicate that conspiracy belief is driven by readiness to draw implausible causal connections even when events are not random, but instead conform to an objective pattern. Study 1 (N = 195) showed that conspiracy belief was related to the causal interpretation of real‐life, spurious correlations (e.g., between chocolate consumption and Nobel prizes). In Study 2 (N = 216), this effect held adjusting for correlates including magical and non‐analytical thinking. Study 3 (N = 214) showed that preference for conspiracy explanations was associated with the perception that a focal event (e.g., the death of a journalist) was causally connected to similar, recent events. Study 4 (N = 211) showed that conspiracy explanations for human tragedies were favored when they comprised part of a cluster of similar events (vs. occurring in isolation); crucially, they were independently increased by a manipulation of causal perception. We discuss the implications of these findings for previous, mixed findings in the literature and for the relation between conspiracy thinking and other cognitive processes.
Prognostic stratification of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma based on tumor immune microenvironment
Authors: Ono Takeharu , Azuma Koichi , Kawahara Akihiko , Sasada Tetsuro , Matsuo Norikazu , Kakuma Tatsuyuki , Kamimura Hiroyuki , Maeda Ririko , Hattori Chikayuki , On Kotaro , Nagata Kei , Sato Fumihiko , Chitose Shun‐ich , Shin Buichiro , Aso Takeichiro , Akiba Jun , Umeno Hirohito 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundLittle is known about immune‐related prognostic factors in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed 66 patients with NPC. Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) status, programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression, and tumor‐infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) densities were analyzed, and a prognostic evaluation of these immune‐related parameters was performed.ResultsThe multivariate analyses demonstrated that CD8‐positive TIL density but not PD‐L1 expression on tumor cells or immune cells was a significant predictive factor for progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Subgroup analyses demonstrated that a positive PD‐L1 expression on tumor cells in combination with a higher CD8‐positive TIL density was significantly associated with favorable prognosis, whereas positive PD‐L1 expression on tumor cells with lower CD8‐positive TIL density was associated with worse prognosis.ConclusionOur results suggest that PD‐L1 expression on tumor cells in combination with CD8‐positive TIL density could be a useful predictive biomarker for risk stratification in patients with NPC.
Ewing sarcoma of the head and neck: The Mayo Clinic experience
Authors: Olson Michael D. , Van Abel Kathryn M. , Wehrs Rebecca N. , Garcia Joaquin J. , Moore Eric J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundTreatment options of Ewing sarcoma of the head and neck include surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and chemoradiotherapy. However, local control can be challenging.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of all patients with head and neck Ewing sarcoma treated from 1972 to 2015 at a single tertiary care hospital.ResultsSeventeen patients met criteria (median 21 years, range 5‐58 years; 5 women). Mean follow‐up was 10.4 years (range 2.2‐39 years). Tumors occurred commonly in the cervical spine (5/17), the skull (3/17), and the paranasal sinuses (3/17). A total of 14 of 17 patients underwent surgical resection, 9 with gross total resection. After multimodality therapy, the 5‐year overall survival (OS) and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) was 87% and 75%, respectively.ConclusionCombined multimodal treatment resulted in a 5‐year OS and RFS of 87% and 75%, respectively. Aggressive surgical resection with adjuvant chemoradiotherapy should be considered. Although negative margin surgery is the goal, subtotal resection may be acceptable in the setting of adjuvant treatment.
Age‐adjusted comorbidity and survival in locally advanced laryngeal cancer
Authors:   Multidisciplinary Larynx Cancer Working Group, Mulcahy Collin F. , Mohamed Abdallah S. R. , Kanwar Aasheesh , Hutcheson Katherine A. , Ghosh Alokananda , Vock David , Weber Randal S. , Lai Stephen Y. , Gunn Gary Brandon , Zafereo Mark , Morrison William H. , Ferrarotto Renata , Garden Adam S. , Rosenthal David I. , Fuller Clifton D. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to quantify the relationship among age, pretreatment comorbidity, and survival outcomes in patients with locally advanced laryngeal cancer.MethodsBaseline comorbidity data were collected and age‐adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) was calculated for each case. Kaplan‐Meier and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to determine associations with survival.ResultsFor 548 patients, with a median age of 59 years (range 31‐91 years), 58% were treated with larynx preservation and the rest with total laryngectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Two hundred thirty‐eight patients (43%) had at least 1 comorbidity each. Cardiovascular diseases were the most common comorbidities (19%). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) for patients with CCI ≤3 (n = 442) were superior to CCI >3 (n = 106; 60% vs 41%; P < .0001), although the 5‐year disease‐specific survival (DSS) rates were not significantly different. The 5‐year noncancer CSS was better for age‐adjusted CCI ≤3 (88% vs 67%; P < .0001).ConclusionThe age‐adjusted CCI is a significant predictor of noncancer CSS and OS for patients with locally advanced laryngeal cancer but is not associated with DSS.
Narrow band imaging for risk stratification of glottic cancer within leukoplakia
Authors: Rzepakowska Anna , Sielska‐Badurek Ewelina , Żurek Michal , Osuch‐Wójcikiewicz Ewa , Niemczyk Kazimierz 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThis study investigates relevance of narrow band imaging (NBI) in stratifying risk of malignant transformation within leukoplakia.MethodsWe conducted a prospective analysis that included 62 patients with 91 changes of leukoplakia on vocal folds. The NBI was obtained before microsurgery. Categorization of the lesion as benign was made when vessels of surrounding epithelium were classified as type I, II, or IV according to Ni classification. If there were visualized intraepithelial papillary capillary loops of type V, the lesion was classified as malignant. Results were compared to the histopathological diagnosis.ResultsThe NBI assessment classified 75 lesions (82.4%) as benign and 16 (17.6%) as malignant. Histopathological results revealed the diagnosis of no dysplastic changes or low grade dysplasia in 77 cases (84.6%). Another 14 cases (15.4%) occurred with high‐grade dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, and invasive cancer. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of NBI in predicting malignancy within leukoplakia were 100%, 97.4%, and 97.8%, respectively. The kappa index was 0.92 (95% confidence interval 81.1%‐100%).ConclusionThe noninvasive procedure of an NBI endoscopy may be recommended as an accurate method in predicting the risk of malignant transformation within the vocal fold leukoplakia and, therefore, would be useful in the clinic for planning the patient's therapy.
Value of CT added to ultrasonography for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer
Authors: Lee Younghen , Kim Ji‐hoon , Baek Jung Hwan , Jung So Lyung , Park Sun‐Won , Kim Jinna , Yun Tae Jin , Ha Eun Ju , Lee Kyu Eun , Kwon Soon Young , Yang Kyung‐Sook , Na Dong Gyu 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe benefit of CT for the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in patients with thyroid cancer is still unclear.MethodsThree hundred fifty‐one patients with thyroid cancers from 7 hospitals were prospectively enrolled in order to compare diagnostic performance between a combination of ultrasound and CT (ultrasound/CT) and ultrasound alone for prediction of lymph node metastasis and to calculate patient‐based benefits of CT added to ultrasound.ResultsOf 801 pathologically proven neck levels, ultrasound/CT showed higher sensitivities in both central and lateral compartments and improved accuracy in the lateral compartment compared to ultrasound alone. In the retropharyngeal/superior mediastinal compartment, although CT could detect lymph node metastasis an ultrasound could not. Patient‐based benefit was demonstrated in 13.1% of patients (46/351), and was higher in patients with cancers >1 cm than cancers ≤1 cm.ConclusionIn patients with thyroid cancer, CT improved surgical planning by enhancing the sensitivity for lymph node metastasis and by detecting lymph node metastasis that was overlooked with ultrasound alone.
Esthesioneuroblastoma with distant metastases: Systematic review & meta‐analysis
Authors: Marinelli John P. , Janus Jeffrey R. , Van Gompel Jamie J. , Link Michael J. , Foote Robert L. , Lohse Christine M. , Price Katharine A. , Chintakuntlawar Ashish V. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe purpose of this study was to determine the clinical outcomes and review the management strategies for metastatic esthesioneuroblastoma.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis.ResultsForty‐eight studies totaling 118 patients met inclusion criteria. Chemotherapy in combination with surgery and/or radiation exhibited the best overall survival when compared to monotherapy and no treatment (P < .001). However, most patients (66%) received either monotherapy or no therapy. The number and location of metastases among the 3 treatment groups did not significantly differ (P = .85). Treatment modality remained significantly associated with overall survival on multivariable analysis (P < .001). Platinum‐based chemotherapy was most commonly utilized but did not provide a survival benefit when compared with all other regimens (P = .88).ConclusionDistant metastases with esthesioneuroblastoma portend a poor prognosis. Chemotherapy in combination with surgery and/or radiation was associated with improved overall survival. Further research into the optimal systemic therapeutic regimen for patients with distant metastases is critical.