bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecological succession in a changing world
Authors: Chang Cynthia C. , Turner Benjamin L. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Ecological succession – how biological communities re‐assemble and change over time following natural or anthropogenic disturbance – has been studied since the birth of ecology, and the resulting theoretical framework underpins many aspects of the discipline. Recently, the mechanistic basis of classic succession theory has been advanced by studies of plant and microbial interactions, functional traits, and retrogressive stages of ecosystem development. This special issue brings together a series of papers that highlight these contemporary novel approaches and how our understanding of ecological succession has advanced.

Four key themes emerge from the issue: (a) generalizations about succession, (b) the influence of dispersal and habitat size on successional trajectories, (c) changes in plant functional traits during succession, and (d) belowground community interactions during long term during ecosystem development.

Synthesis. The articles in the special issue highlight novel perspectives on succession theory, revealing the importance of historical contingency, disturbance severity, dispersal limitation, functional traits, and belowground community processes in determining patterns of ecosystem development. Together, they reinforce the importance of ecological succession in understanding the response of plant and microbial communities to disturbance in a changing world.
Counselling training for speech–language therapists working with people affected by post‐stroke aphasia: a systematic review
Authors: Sekhon Jasvinder K. , Oates Jennifer , Kneebone Ian , Rose Miranda 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundSpeech–language therapists use counselling to address the psychological well‐being of people affected by post‐stroke aphasia. Speech–language therapists report low counselling knowledge, skill and confidence for working in post‐stroke aphasia which may be related to a lack of counselling training specific to the needs of this client group.AimsTo identify current training in counselling for speech–language therapists to address psychological well‐being in people affected by post‐stroke aphasia. Specifically, the intent was to establish the objectives, content, amount, teaching methods and outcomes of counselling training provided to speech–language therapists working with people affected by post‐stroke aphasia.Methods & ProceduresEleven databases were searched from inception to January 2018 using terms relating to counselling, psychological well‐being, speech–language therapy, stroke, aphasia and training. Studies using any research methodology and design were included. Nine studies were critically appraised and synthesized as a systematic review using the Search, AppraisaL, Synthesis and Analysis (SALSA) framework.Main ContributionInformation on counselling training came from the UK, United States and Australia. Student speech–language therapists received training in goal‐setting and generic counselling skills. After qualification, speech–language therapists received counselling training from mental health professionals within stroke workplaces, from external providers and further education. A range of teaching techniques and counselling approaches were described. Self‐report and themes from qualitative data were the primary measures of counselling training outcomes. Moderate correlations were reported between counselling training and levels of speech–language therapists’ knowledge, comfort, confidence and preparedness to counsel people affected by post‐stroke aphasia.ConclusionsResearch in counselling training for speech–language therapists working in post‐stroke aphasia is limited, with a small number of primarily low‐quality studies available. Training in generic counselling skills and brief psychological approaches with support from mental health professionals in the stroke workplace enabled speech–language therapists to feel knowledgeable, skilled and confident to address the psychological well‐being of people affected by post‐stroke aphasia. Evidence about the effectiveness of counselling training on speech–language therapists’ confidence and competence in practice and on client outcomes in psychological well‐being in post‐stroke aphasia is required.
The Effect of a Subway on House Prices: Evidence from Shanghai
Authors: Zhou Zhengyi , Chen Hong , Han Lu , Zhang Anming 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWithin the context of a transition economy, this article estimates how improved access to employment centers is capitalized into house price. We conduct an event study for the opening of subway Line 6 in Pudong district, Shanghai, China. The new line significantly reduces the commuting time to major employment centers. Other things being equal, easier commutes to the central business district center result in an average house price appreciation of 3.75%, with the most distant residential zone enjoying the largest appreciation. When taking into account multiple employment centers, we find that the largest source of appreciation is from an improved access to a suburb center with poor initial accessibility and attractive job opportunities. Finally, the total appreciation caused by time savings to major employment centers decreases with neighborhood income level and increases with the distance from Line 6 stations.
Pre‐ and Postharvest Strategies to Minimize Mycotoxin Contamination in the Rice Food Chain
Authors: Gonçalves A. , Gkrillas A. , Dorne J. L. , Dall'Asta C. , Palumbo R. , Lima N. , Battilani P. , Venâncio A. , Giorni P. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRice is part of many people's diet around the world, being the main energy source in some regions. Although fewer reports exist on the occurrence of mycotoxins in rice compared to other cereals, fungal contamination and the associated production of toxic metabolites, even at lower occurrence levels compared to other crops, are of concern because of the high consumption of rice in many countries. Due to the diversity of fungi that may contaminate the rice food chain, the co‐occurrence of mycotoxins is frequent. Specific strategies to overcome these problems may be applied at the preharvest part of the crop chain, while assuring good practices at harvest and postharvest stages, since different fungi may find suitable conditions to grow at the various stages of the production chain. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present the state‐of‐the‐art knowledge on such strategies in an integrated way, from the field to the final products, to reduce mycotoxin contamination in rice.
Optimized DNA extraction and library preparation for minute arthropods: Application to target enrichment in chalcid wasps used for biocontrol
Authors: Cruaud Astrid , Nidelet Sabine , Arnal Pierre , Weber Audrey , Fusu Lucian , Gumovsky Alex , Huber John , Polaszek Andrew , Rasplus Jean‐Yves 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTarget enrichment is increasingly used for genotyping of plant and animal species or to better understand the evolutionary history of important lineages through the inference of statistically robust phylogenies. Limitations to routine target enrichment are both the complexity of current protocols and low input DNA quantity. Thus, working with tiny organisms such as microarthropods can be challenging. Here, we propose easy to set up optimizations for DNA extraction and library preparation prior to target enrichment. Prepared libraries were used to capture 1,432 ultraconserved elements (UCEs) from microhymenoptera (Chalcidoidea), which are among the tiniest insects on Earth and the most commercialized worldwide for biological control purposes. Results show no correlation between input DNA quantities (1.8–250 ng, 0.4 ng with an extra whole genome amplification step) and the number of sequenced UCEs on an Illumina MiSeq. Phylogenetic inferences highlight the potential of UCEs to solve relationships within the families of chalcid wasps, which has not been achieved so far. The protocol (library preparation + target enrichment) allows processing 96 specimens in five working days, by a single person, without requiring the use of expensive robotic molecular biology platforms, which could help to generalize the use of target enrichment for minute specimens.
How does presurgical chemotherapy influence the efficiency of treatment for esophageal cancer recurrence after curative esophagectomy?
Authors: Taniyama Yusuke , Sakurai Tadashi , Hikage Makoto , Okamoto Hiroshi , Sato Chiaki , Takaya Kai , Unno Michiaki , Kamei Takashi 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundThe effectiveness of treatments for recurrent esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), particularly chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy (CRT), remains unclear in patients who have previously been administered the same drugs during neoadjuvant chemotherapy.MethodsIn this retrospective study, 117 patients with recurrent thoracic ESCCs who had undergone curative resection were included. Patients were divided into two groups based on presurgical treatment: no presurgical treatment (n = 74), and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n = 43). Prognosis after recurrence was analyzed differently in the group of patients who received CRT and chemotherapy for a recurrent site because of differences in recurrence patterns.ResultsThere were no differences in patterns and times to recurrence between the patients who underwent each presurgical treatment. For treatment of recurrence, CRT was administered to 66 patients, chemotherapy to 32, surgical resection to 5, and best supportive care to 14. In patients who underwent CRT for local recurrence, the survival rates of those administered neoadjuvant chemotherapy were similar to those who did not receive any presurgical treatment (P = 0.706). In patients who underwent chemotherapy for distant metastasis, the survival rates of those administered neoadjuvant chemotherapy were worse than in those who did not receive any presurgical treatment (P = 0.028).ConclusionsThe effects of CRT for recurrent cancers are not influenced by neoadjuvant chemotherapy, even when using the same anticancer agent. Chemotherapy is an acceptable treatment for patients who do not receive presurgical treatment.
Is video‐assisted thoracoscopy a sufficient approach for mediastinal lymph node dissection to treat lung cancer after neoadjuvant therapy?
Authors: Tian Zhoujunyi , Sui Xizhao , Yang Fan , Wang Jun 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundThe role of video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in mediastinal lymph node dissection (MLND) for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) following neoadjuvant therapy remains controversial. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the sufficiency of VATS by evaluating perioperative and long‐term outcomes.MethodsPatients with locally advanced NSCLC and treated with radical surgery after neoadjuvant therapy were identified in our database. The thoroughness of MLND was compared by approach. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate predictors of sufficient MLND. Propensity score matching was performed. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard analyses were used to assess long‐term survival.ResultsOf the 127 enrolled patients, 56 underwent attempted VATS and 71 underwent thoracotomy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that approach was not a predictor of sufficient MLND (odds ratio 0.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.364–1.803; P = 0.606). After matching, 28 pairs of patients were selected from the two groups. There was no significant difference between the numbers of dissected lymph nodes (15 vs. 20; P = 0.191) and nodal stations (7 vs. 7; P = 0.315). Recurrence‐free (log‐rank P = 0.613) and overall survival (log‐rank P = 0.379) was similar in both groups. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards model analysis indicated that VATS was not an independent predictor of recurrence‐free (hazard ratio 0.955, 95% CI 0.415–2.198; P = 0.913) or overall survival (hazard ratio 0.841, 95% CI 0.338–2.093; P = 0.709).ConclusionCompared to thoracotomy, VATS is a sufficient approach for MLND to treat locally advanced NSCLC following neoadjuvant therapy without compromising long‐term survival.
A Prospective Study of Health Conditions Related to Alcohol Consumption Cessation Among 97,852 Drinkers Aged 45 and Over in Australia
Authors: Sarich Peter , Canfell Karen , Banks Emily , Paige Ellie , Egger Sam , Joshy Grace , Korda Rosemary , Weber Marianne 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundEvidence suggests that people who develop serious health conditions are likely to cease drinking alcohol (sometimes known as “sick‐quitters”). We quantified the likelihood of quitting drinking in relation to the onset of a variety of health conditions.MethodsOdds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of ceasing alcohol consumption after diagnosis of 28 health conditions and 4 general indicators of health were derived from logistic regression among 97,852 drinkers aged ≥ 45 years between baseline (2006 to 2009) and median 5.3 years of follow‐up in the New South Wales 45 and Up Study. Incident health conditions at follow‐up were self‐reported.ResultsAt follow‐up, 9.6% (n = 9,438) of drinkers had ceased drinking. Drinking cessation was significantly associated with 24 of 32 health conditions examined: 15.4% of participants with newly diagnosed diabetes quit drinking (ORfor quitting vs. continuing 1.77, 95%CI: 1.60 to 1.96), 16.4% with Parkinson's disease (1.71, 1.35 to 2.17), 17.8% with poor memory (1.68, 1.43 to 1.97), 19.2% with hip fracture (1.64, 1.30 to 2.06), 14.7% with stroke (1.45, 1.27 to 1.66), 12.5% with depression (1.40, 1.26 to 1.55), 15.0% with breast cancer (1.38, 1.18 to 1.61), 12.3% with heart disease (1.34, 1.25 to 1.44), and 13.3% with osteoarthritis (1.22, 1.12 to 1.33). Strong associations with quitting were observed in those with a decline in self‐rated overall health (2.93, 2.53 to 3.40) and quality of life (2.68, 2.24 to 3.21). Some health conditions not significantly associated with quitting were prostate cancer, melanoma, nonmelanoma skin cancer, hay fever, and hearing loss. Findings were generally consistent for men and women, by age group and by smoking status.ConclusionsDiagnosis with a variety of health conditions appears to prompt drinking cessation in older adults.
Toll‐like receptor 9, maternal cell‐free DNA and myometrial cell response to CpG oligodeoxynucleotide stimulation
Authors: Beck Stacy , Buhimschi Irina A. , Summerfield Taryn L. , Ackerman William E. , Guzeloglu‐Kayisli Ozlem , Kayisli Umit A. , Zhao Guomao , Schatz Frederick , Lockwood Charles J. , Buhimschi Catalin S. 
Published: February 2019

ProblemAmong mechanisms triggering onset of parturition, it has been recently postulated that Toll‐Like Receptor (TLR)9 engagement by cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) triggers inflammation, myometrial contractions, and labor in absence of infection. The current study evaluated whether direct (myometrial) or indirect (decidual) TLR9 engagement enhances human myometrial contractility.Method of StudyToll‐like receptor 9 expression and cellular localization were surveyed by immunohistochemistry of placenta, fetal membranes, and myometrium in term (gestational age [GA]: >37 weeks) labor (TL, n = 7) or term non‐labor (TNL, n = 7) tissues. Non‐pregnant myometrium (n = 4) served as reference. TLR9 mRNA expression relative to other TLRs was evaluated through the mining of an RNA‐seq dataset and confirmed by RT‐PCR. Immortalized human myometrial cells (hTERT‐HM) were treated with incremental concentrations of TLR9 agonist ODN2395, TNF‐α, or LPS. Secreted cytokines were quantified by multiplex immunoassay, and contractility was assessed by an in‐gel cell contraction assay (n = 9). Induction of hTERT‐HM contractility was also evaluated indirectly following exposure to conditioned media from primary term decidual cells (n = 4) previously stimulated with ODN2395.ResultsToll‐like receptor 9 immunostaining in placenta and amniochorion was strongest in decidual cells, but unrelated to labor. TLR9 staining intensity was significantly decreased in TL compared with TNL myometrium (P = 0.002). Although total cfDNA in maternal circulation increased in TL (P = 0.025 vs TNL), difference in cffDNA was non‐significant. Myometrial TLR9 mRNA levels were unaffected by contractile status and far less abundant than other pro‐inflammatory TLRs. hTERT‐HM contractility was enhanced by LPS (P = 0.002) and TNF‐α (P = 0.003), but not by ODN2395 (P = 0.345) or supernatant of TLR9‐stimulated decidual cells.ConclusionMyometrial and decidual TLR9 are unlikely to directly regulate human parturition.
Safety of laparoscopic appendicectomy during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Chakraborty Joy , Kong Joseph Cherng , Su Wai Kin , Gourlas Peter , Gillespie Christopher , Slack Timothy , Morris Bradley , Lutton Nicholas 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundAcute appendicitis is the most common non‐obstetric surgical presentation during pregnancy. There were concerns that laparoscopic appendicectomy increases the risk of foetal loss compared to an open approach. Therefore, with recent advances in perioperative care, it is likely the risk has changed. Here, we performed an updated meta‐analysis assessing the safety of laparoscopic appendicectomy in pregnant women.MethodsA meta‐analysis was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A search was undertaken between 2000 and 2017 on Ovid Medline and Embase. The primary outcome measures were foetal loss and preterm delivery, whereas secondary outcome measures were operative time and hospital length of stay. A random‐effect model was performed to pool odds ratio (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD).ResultsSeventeen observational studies were included, with 1886 patients in the laparoscopic and 4261 patients in the open group. Comparing laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy, there were 54 (5.96%) and 136 (3.73%) foetal losses, respectively. However, preterm delivery was much higher in the open approach (8.99%) compared to laparoscopic approach (2.84%). Pooled OR for foetal loss was 1.84 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.31–2.58, P < 0.001), whereas OR for preterm delivery was 0.39 (95% CI 0.27–0.55, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between both approaches for operative time (SMD −0.07; 95% CI −0.43 to 0.30, P = 0.71) or hospital length of stay (SMD −0.34; 95% CI −0.83 to 0.16, P = 0.18).ConclusionIn a pooled analysis of level III evidence, laparoscopic appendicectomy posed a higher risk of foetal loss but lower risk of preterm delivery. Caution and informed consent are crucial when offering a laparoscopic approach.
Fluid volume kinetics of 20% albumin
Authors: Hahn Robert G. , Zdolsek Markus , Hasselgren Emma , Zdolsek Joachim , Björne Håkan 
Published: February 2019

AimsA population kinetic model was developed for the body fluid shifts occurring when 20% albumin is given by intravenous infusion. The aim was to study whether its efficacy to expand the plasma volume is impaired after major surgery.MethodsAn intravenous infusion of 3 mL/kg 20% albumin over 30 minutes was given to 15 volunteers and to 15 patients on the 1st day after major open abdominal surgery. Blood samples and urine were collected during 5 hours. Mixed‐effect modelling software was used to develop a fluid volume kinetic model, using blood haemoglobin and urine excretion the estimate body fluid shifts, to which individual‐specific covariates were added in sequence.ResultsThe rise in plasma albumin expanded the plasma volume in excess of the infused volume by relocating noncirculating fluid (rate constant k21), but it also increased losses of fluid from the kinetic system (kb). The balance between k21 and kb maintained the rise in plasma albumin and plasma volume at a virtual steady‐state for almost 2 hours. The rate constant for urinary excretion (k10) was slightly reduced by the preceding surgery, by a marked rise in plasma albumin, and by a high preinfusion urinary concentration of creatinine. The arterial pressure, body weight, and plasma concentrations of C‐reactive protein and shedding products of the endothelial glycocalyx layer (syndecan‐1, heparan sulfate, and hyaluronic acid) did not serve as statistically significant covariates.ConclusionsThere were no clinically relevant differences in the kinetics of 20% albumin between postoperative patients and volunteers.
Treatment of internuclear ophthalmoparesis in multiple sclerosis with fampridine: A randomized double‐blind, placebo‐controlled cross‐over trial
Authors: Kanhai Kawita M. S. , Nij Bijvank Jenny A. , Wagenaar Yorick L. , Klaassen Erica S. , Lim KyoungSoo , Bergheanu Sandrin C. , Petzold Axel , Verma Ajay , Hesterman Jacob , Wattjes Mike P. , Uitdehaag Bernard M. J. , van Rijn Laurentius J. , Groeneveld Geert Jan 
Published: February 2019

SummaryAimTo examine whether the velocity of saccadic eye movements in internuclear ophthalmoparesis (INO) improves with fampridine treatment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).MethodsRandomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over trial with fampridine in patients with MS and INO. Horizontal saccades were recorded at baseline and at multiple time points post‐dose. Main outcome measures were the change of peak velocity versional dysconjugacy index (PV‐VDI) and first‐pass amplitude VDI (FPA‐VDI). Both parameters were compared between fampridine and placebo using a mixed model analysis of variance taking patients as their own control. Pharmacokinetics was determined by serial blood sampling.ResultsThirteen patients had a bilateral and 10 had a unilateral INO. One patient had an INO of abduction (posterior INO of Lutz) and was excluded. Fampridine significantly reduced both PV‐VDI (−17.4%, 95% CI: −22.4%, −12.1%; P < 0.0001) and FPA‐VDI (−12.5%, 95% CI: −18.9%, −5.5%; P < 0.01). Pharmacokinetics demonstrated that testing coincided with the average tmax at 2.08 hours (SD 45 minutes). The main adverse event reported after administration of fampridine was dizziness (61%).ConclusionFampridine improves saccadic eye movements due to INO in MS. Treatment response to fampridine may gauge patient selection for inclusion to remyelination strategies in MS using saccadic eye movements as primary outcome measure.