bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zonal and azonal vegetation revisited: How is wetland vegetation distributed across different zonobiomes
Authors: Sieben Erwin J.J. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn ‘zonal’ vegetation, climatic factors are the main influence on growth and performance and the climate determines the vegetation type completely, which makes this vegetation dominant in the landscape. If vegetation is ‘azonal’ however, local stresses are assumed to have an overwhelming influence on plant performance and climatic influences will be minimal; typically, this vegetation occurs only in small patches in the landscape. In this study I ask whether wetland plant communities, as they are described for South Africa, are evenly distributed among different terrestrial vegetation types, to test whether they are zonal or azonal. Three contingency tables were construed based on the counts of wetland vegetation records, defined on three hierarchical levels (Main Clusters, Community Groups and Community) and their occurrence in the country (at the level of Biome, Bioregion and terrestrial vegetation type). An ‘azonality index’ was calculated as the sum of all Chi‐square values for each wetland vegetation type divided by the total number of records. The overall correlation between hydroperiod and the azonality index was very weak. At the finest level, terrestrial vegetation types were clustered on the basis of having similar combinations of wetland community types. Eighteen different ‘wetland ecoregions’ have been defined, on the basis of wetland vegetation types occurring within them. Instead of regarding wetland vegetation as azonal, it should rather be regarded as ‘intrazonal’, meaning that climate does have an impact but many vegetation types are widespread across climatic regions. The reason why community types in wetlands are widespread is due to the monodominance of a single widespread, often clonal, species. The different wetland ecoregions do not correspond to terrestrial biomes, so it is expected that wetland vegetation responds differently to climate than terrestrial vegetation.
Fibreoptic‐guided tracheal intubation through i‐gel® and LMA® ProtectorTM supraglottic airway devices ‐ a randomised comparison
Authors: Mendonca C. , Tourville C. C. , Jefferson H. , Nowicka A. , Patteril M. , Athanassoglou V. 
Published: November 2018

SummaryFibreoptic‐guided tracheal intubation using a supraglottic airway device as a conduit is a technique that can be used in anticipated and unanticipated difficult airway management. Although the i‐gel® supraglottic airway device has been examined for this purpose, the LMA® ProtectorTM, a recently introduced second‐generation supraglottic airway device, has not been evaluated for this use in clinical trials. This prospective, randomised clinical trial compared fibreoptic‐guided tracheal intubation via i‐gel and LMA Protector supraglottic airway devices in two UK hospitals. Patients who were ASA physical status 1 or 2 and undergoing elective surgery requiring tracheal intubation were recruited to the study. A block randomisation list was generated for each study site. The primary outcome measure was time to successful tracheal intubation and secondary outcomes were tracheal intubation success rate, glottic view through flexible fibrescope, ease of tracheal intubation using operator visual analogue score, supraglottic airway device insertion time and insertion success rate. Ninety patients were randomly allocated to each device, and final data analysis was carried out for 92 patients in the i‐gel group and 86 patients in the LMA Protector group. Mean (SD) tracheal intubation time in the i‐gel and LMA Protector groups were 54.3 (13.8) s and 52.0 (13.0) s, respectively (p = 0.240). There were no significant differences in tracheal intubation success rate, glottic view and ease of tracheal intubation between the two groups. This study demonstrates that the LMA Protector supraglottic airway device is comparable to the i‐gel supraglottic airway device as a conduit for fibreoptic‐guided tracheal intubation.
Fibrinogen concentrate vs. fresh frozen plasma for the management of coagulopathy during thoraco‐abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery: a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Morrison G. A. , Koch J. , Royds M. , McGee D. , Chalmers R. T. A. , Anderson J. , Nimmo A. F. 
Published: November 2018

SummaryMajor vascular surgery is frequently associated with significant blood loss and coagulopathy. Existing evidence suggests hypofibrinogenaemia develops earlier than other haemostatic deficiencies during major blood loss. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the use of an infusion of fibrinogen concentrate to prevent and treat hypofibrinogenaemia during surgery resulted in satisfactory haemostasis, removing or reducing the need for blood component transfusion. Twenty patients undergoing elective extent‐4 thoraco‐abdominal aortic aneurysm repair were randomly allocated to receive either fresh frozen plasma or fibrinogen concentrate to treat hypofibrinogenaemia during surgery. Coagulation was assessed during and after surgery by point‐of‐care and laboratory testing, respectively, and treatment was guided by pre‐defined transfusion triggers. Despite blood losses of up to 11,800 ml in the patients who received the fibrinogen concentrate, none required fresh frozen plasma during surgery, and only two required platelet transfusions. The median (IQR [range]) allogeneic blood component administration during surgery and in the first 24 h postoperatively was 22.5 (14–28 [2–41]) units in patients allocated to fresh frozen plasma vs. 4.5 (3–11[0–17]) in patients allocated to fibrinogen concentrate (p = 0.011). All patients in both groups were assessed by the surgeon to have satisfactory haemostasis at the end of surgery. Mean (SD) postoperative fibrinogen concentrations were similar in patients allocated to fresh frozen plasma and fibrinogen concentrate (1.6 (0.3) g.l−1 vs. 1.6 (0.2) g.l−1; p = 0.36) but the mean (SD) international normalised ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time ratio were lower in patients allocated to fresh frozen plasma (1.1 (0.1) vs. 1.8 (0.3); p < 0.0001 and 1.1 (0.2) vs. 1.7 (0.5); p = 0.032, respectively). Fibrinogen concentrate may be used as an alternative to fresh frozen plasma in the treatment of coagulopathy during thoraco‐abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Sustained virologic response rates in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 6 treated with ledipasvir+sofosbuvir or sofosbuvir+velpatasvir
Authors: Nguyen Emily , Trinh Sam , Trinh Huy , Nguyen Huy , Nguyen Khanh , Do Aivien , Levitt Brian , Do Son , Nguyen My , Purohit Treta , Shieh Eugenie , Nguyen Mindie H. 
Published: November 2018

SummaryBackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 6 (GT 6) is the predominant genotype among certain Asian populations. The availability of newer DAA options is limited in many parts of Asia.AimTo compare sustained virologic response (SVR‐12) rates between ledipasvir and sofosbuvir (LDV+SOF) and velpatasvir+SOF (SOF+VEL) for patients with HCVGT6 infection.MethodRetrospective study of consecutive adult HCVGT6 patients identified via ICD 9 code: 070.5 from United States treatment centers. Treatment was LDV+SOF or SOF+VEL for 8‐24 weeks. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) on HCV RNA, cirrhosis, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, platelets, and fibrosis score was conducted among the treatment‐naïve HCVGT6 patients to balance groups and isolate treatment effects.ResultsAfter exclusion criteria, 149 patients remained (n = 135 treatment‐naïve; n = 14 treatment‐experienced). The mean age was 63.8 ± 10.2 years, 66.9% male, and 93.9% Vietnamese. In treatment‐naïve arm, 52.2% LDV+SOF cohort were cirrhotic compared to 11.6% SOF+VEL cohort (P < 0.0001). SVR‐12 for LDV+SOF was 96.4% and 100% for the SOF+VEL cohort (P = 0.22). SVR‐12 for cirrhotic patients was 95.4% (n = 41/43) for LDV+SOF and 100.0% (n = 5/5) for SOF+VEL (P = 0.62). After PSM (n = 33 per group), LDV+SOF SVR‐12 rate was 97.0% compared to SOF+VEL SVR‐12 of 100% (P = 0.31). The treatment‐experienced group (n = 14), were all treated with LDV+SOF with an SVR‐12 of 92.3%.ConclusionWhether treatment‐naïve, treatment‐experienced, or cirrhotic patients with HCV GT 6 residing in the US had excellent outcomes when treated with SOF+VEL or LDV+SOF. Since LDV+SOF is more readily available globally, our results may provide clinicians with a treatment option when cost and availability limit the treatment choice.
Review article: the pharmacological causes of colon ischaemia
Authors: Vodusek Ziga , Feuerstadt Paul , Brandt Lawrence J. 
Published: November 2018

SummaryBackgroundColon ischaemia is the most common ischaemic disorder of the gastrointestinal system, can affect any segment of the colon, and may present with a range of symptoms. Diagnosis can be challenging due to symptom overlap with other conditions, varied aetiology, and often rapid and self‐resolving course.AimTo review comprehensively the literature regarding the pharmacological aetiologies of colonic ischaemia to enhance the understanding of the various mechanisms of disease, presentations, distribution, and outcomes.MethodsA PubMed search for “colon ischaemia” and “ischaemic colitis” alone as well as in combination with various known pharmacologic causes was performed. Only the highest quality and relevant literature was included in this review. The quality of the literature for each association was rated by the authors and a consensus was made when discrepancies were encountered. Only associations that were deemed “moderate” or “strong” were included.ResultsThe literature considering pharmacologically associated colonic ischaemia is diverse, lacks codification and is characterised by numerous case reports and case series. Constipation‐inducing drugs, digoxin, hormonal therapies, illicit drugs, immunomodulators, laxatives, and NSAIDs were strongly associated with colonic ischaemia. Antimicrobials, appetite suppressants, chemotherapies, decongestants, diuretics, ergot alkaloids, serotonin agents, statins, and vasopressor agents were moderately associated.ConclusionsPatients presenting with abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or bloody stool need to be evaluated for the possibility of this condition and treated accordingly. Timely diagnosis is necessary to improve patient outcomes. This review aims to increase awareness among clinicians regarding the presentation of pharmacologically induced colonic ischaemia.
Impact of graft‐versus‐lymphoma effect on outcomes after reduced intensity conditioned‐alemtuzumab allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for patients with mature lymphoid malignancies
Authors: Brierley Charlotte K. , Jones Francesca M. , Hanlon Katharine , Peniket Andy J. , Hatton Chris , Collins Graham P. , Schuh Anna , Medd Patrick , Clark Andrew , Ward Janice , Chaganti Sridar , Malladi Ram , Parker Anne , Craddock Charles , Danby Robert , Rocha Vanderson 
Published: November 2018

SummaryAllogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo‐HSCT) offers potentially curative therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory lymphoid malignancies. Reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC) with Alemtuzumab reduces transplant‐related mortality and graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD), but may be associated with increased risk of relapse. With the aim of studying the effect of GVHD and donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) on relapse, we performed a retrospective study of 288 patients (57% non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, 24% Hodgkin lymphoma and 19% chronic lymphocytic leukaemia; 58% were relapsed/refractory) who underwent RIC‐Alemtuzumab‐HSCT between 2000 and 2012. Median follow‐up time for survivors was 64 months. Five‐year overall survival, relapse incidence, GvHD/relapse‐free survival and non‐relapse mortality were 47%, 33%, 37% and 28% respectively. Cumulative incidence of grade II‐IV acute and extensive chronic GvHD was 22% and 21% at 100 days and 5 years respectively. On multivariate analysis, presence of GvHD (P = 0·03) and unrelated donor type (P = 0·03) were protective of relapse. 62/288 patients received DLI for either mixed donor chimerism (prophylactic DLI, n = 37) or clinical relapse (therapeutic DLI, n = 25). Prophylactic and therapeutic DLI successfully converted the patient to full or stable mixed donor chimerism in 78% and 56% of patients respectively. These data demonstrate good long‐term outcomes and support the concept of the graft‐vs‐lymphoma effect as a key protective factor against relapse following RIC‐Alemtuzumab allo‐HSCT for patients with mature lymphoid malignancies.
Cancer specific survival in patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Brunson Ann , Keegan Theresa H. M. , Mahajan Anjlee , Paulukonis Susan , Wun Ted 
Published: November 2018

SummarySickle cell disease (SCD) patients have a higher incidence of certain cancers, but no studies have determined the impact of cancer on survival among SCD patients. SCD patients (n = 6423), identified from state‐wide hospitalisation data, were linked to the California Cancer Registry (1988–2014). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine survival. Among SCD patients, a cancer diagnosis was associated with a 3‐fold increased hazard of death. Compared to matched cancer patients without SCD, SCD was associated with worse overall survival, but not cancer‐specific survival, suggesting that SCD cancer patients should be treated with similar therapeutic intent.
Prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusion after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in acute leukaemia – a matched pair analysis by the Acute Leukaemia Working Party of EBMT
Authors: Schmid Christoph , Labopin Myriam , Schaap Nicolaas , Veelken Hendrik , Schleuning Michael , Stadler Michael , Finke Juergen , Hurst Erin , Baron Frederic , Ringden Olle , Bug Gesine , Blaise Didier , Tischer Johanna , Bloor Adrian , Esteve Jordi , Giebel Sebastian , Savani Bipin , Gorin Norbert‐Claude , Ciceri Fabio , Mohty Mohamad , Nagler Arnon ,   on behalf of the EBMT Acute Leukaemia Working Party
Published: November 2018

SummaryStrategies for relapse prevention after allogeneic transplantation in acute leukaemia are warranted. A registry‐based matched‐pair analysis evaluated the efficacy of prophylactic donor lymphocyte infusion (proDLI). Adults receiving proDLI in complete remission (CR) and controls were pair‐matched for age, diagnosis, cytogenetics, stage, donor, gender, conditioning and T‐cell depletion. Eighty‐nine pairs were identified (median follow‐up: 6.9 years). Within the entire cohort, no difference was observed. However, among patients with high‐risk acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) (unfavourable cytogenetics and/or transplanted beyond first CR), proDLI recipients had improved overall survival (69.8% vs. 40.2% in controls, P = 0.027). ProDLI has moderate efficacy, but can contribute to improved outcome in high‐risk AML.
High‐resolution proglacial lake records of pre‐Little Ice Age glacier advance, northeast Greenland
Authors: Adamson Kathryn , Lane Timothy , Carney Matthew , Bishop Thomas , Delaney Cathy 
Published: November 2018

Understanding Arctic glacier sensitivity is key to predicting future response to air temperature rise. Previous studies have used proglacial lake sediment records to reconstruct Holocene glacier advance–retreat patterns in South and West Greenland, but high‐resolution glacier records from High Arctic Greenland are scarce, despite the sensitivity of this region to future climate change. Detailed geochemical analysis of proglacial lake sediments close to Zackenberg, northeast Greenland, provides the first high‐resolution record of Late Holocene High Arctic glacier behaviour. Three phases of glacier advance have occurred in the last 2000 years. The first two phases (c. 1320–800 cal. a BP) occurred prior to the Little Ice Age (LIA), and correspond to the Dark Ages Cold Period and the Medieval Climate Anomaly. The third phase (c. 700 cal. a BP), representing a smaller scale glacier oscillation, is associated with the onset of the LIA. Our results are consistent with recent evidence of pre‐LIA glacier advance in other parts of the Arctic, including South and West Greenland, Svalbard, and Canada. The sub‐millennial glacier fluctuations identified in the Madsen Lake succession are not preserved in the moraine record. Importantly, coupled XRF and XRD analysis has effectively identified a phase of ice advance that is not visible by sedimentology alone. This highlights the value of high‐resolution geochemical analysis of lake sediments to establish rapid glacier advance–retreat patterns in regions where chronological and morphostratigraphical control is limited.
Emerging threats and persistent conservation challenges for freshwater biodiversity
Authors: Reid Andrea J. , Carlson Andrew K. , Creed Irena F. , Eliason Erika J. , Gell Peter A. , Johnson Pieter T. J. , Kidd Karen A. , MacCormack Tyson J. , Olden Julian D. , Ormerod Steve J. , Smol John P. , Taylor William W. , Tockner Klement , Vermaire Jesse C. , Dudgeon David , Cooke Steven J. 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTIn the 12 years since Dudgeon et al. (2006) reviewed major pressures on freshwater ecosystems, the biodiversity crisis in the world's lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams and wetlands has deepened. While lakes, reservoirs and rivers cover only 2.3% of the Earth's surface, these ecosystems host at least 9.5% of the Earth's described animal species. Furthermore, using the World Wide Fund for Nature's Living Planet Index, freshwater population declines (83% between 1970 and 2014) continue to outpace contemporaneous declines in marine or terrestrial systems. The Anthropocene has brought multiple new and varied threats that disproportionately impact freshwater systems. We document 12 emerging threats to freshwater biodiversity that are either entirely new since 2006 or have since intensified: (i) changing climates; (ii) e‐commerce and invasions; (iii) infectious diseases; (iv) harmful algal blooms; (v) expanding hydropower; (vi) emerging contaminants; (vii) engineered nanomaterials; (viii) microplastic pollution; (ix) light and noise; (x) freshwater salinisation; (xi) declining calcium; and (xii) cumulative stressors. Effects are evidenced for amphibians, fishes, invertebrates, microbes, plants, turtles and waterbirds, with potential for ecosystem‐level changes through bottom‐up and top‐down processes. In our highly uncertain future, the net effects of these threats raise serious concerns for freshwater ecosystems. However, we also highlight opportunities for conservation gains as a result of novel management tools (e.g. environmental flows, environmental DNA) and specific conservation‐oriented actions (e.g. dam removal, habitat protection policies, managed relocation of species) that have been met with varying levels of success. Moving forward, we advocate hybrid approaches that manage fresh waters as crucial ecosystems for human life support as well as essential hotspots of biodiversity and ecological function. Efforts to reverse global trends in freshwater degradation now depend on bridging an immense gap between the aspirations of conservation biologists and the accelerating rate of species endangerment.
Clinical outcomes of carbon‐ion radiotherapy for locally advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer
Authors: Hayashi Kazuhiko , Yamamoto Naoyoshi , Nakajima Mio , Nomoto Akihiro , Tsuji Hiroshi , Ogawa Kazuhiko , Kamada Tadashi 
Published: November 2018

The efficacy and safety of carbon‐ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for locally advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (LA‐NSCLC) remain unclear. We reported the clinical outcomes of CIRT for LA‐NSCLC. Data for 141 eligible patients who received CIRT between 1995 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Local control (LC), locoregional control (LRC), progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan‐Meier method. The median age was 75.0 years. Overall, 21 (14.9%), 57 (40.4%), 43 (30.5%) and 20 (14.2%) patients had T1, T2, T3 and T4 disease, respectively. Moreover, 51 (36.2%), 45 (31.9%), 40 (28.4%) and 5 (3.5%) patients had N0, N1, N2 and N3 disease, respectively. Furthermore, 34 (24.1%), 42 (29.8%), 45 (31.9%) and 20 (14.2%) patients had stages IIA, IIB, IIIA and ΙΙΙB disease, respectively. Overall, 62 (44.0%), 60 (42.6%), 8 (5.7%) and 11 (7.8%) patients had adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and others, respectively. The median dose was 72.0 Gy (relative biological effectiveness). No patient received concurrent chemotherapy. Median follow‐up periods were 29.3 (1.6‐207.7) and 40.0 (10.7‐207.7) months for all patients and survivors, respectively. Two‐year LC, PFS and OS rates were 80.3%, 40.2% and 58.7%, respectively. Overall, 1 (0.7%), 5 (3.5%) and 1 (0.7%) patient developed Grades 4 (mediastinal hemorrhage), 3 (radiation pneumonitis) and 3 (bronchial fistula) toxicities, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed adenocarcinoma and N2/3 classification as significant poor prognosticators of PFS. CIRT is an effective treatment with acceptable toxicity for LA‐NSCLC, especially for elderly patients or patients with severe comorbidities who cannot be treated with surgery or chemoradiotherapy.
Suitability of MMGBSA for the selection of correct ligand binding modes from docking results
Authors: Ahinko Mira , Niinivehmas Sanna , Jokinen Elmeri , Pentikäinen Olli T. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe estimation of the correct binding mode and affinity of a ligand into a target protein using computational methods is challenging. However, docking can introduce poses from which the correct binding mode could be identified using other methods. Here, we analyzed the reliability of binding energy estimation using the molecular mechanics‐generalized Born surface area (MMGBSA) method without and with energy minimization to identify the likely ligand binding modes within docking results. MMGBSA workflow (a) outperformed docking in recognizing the correct binding modes of androgen receptor ligands and (b) improved the correlation coefficient of computational and experimental results of rescored docking poses to phosphodiesterase 4B. Combined with stability and atomic distance analysis, MMGBSA helped to (c) identify the binding modes and sites of metabolism of cytochrome P450 2A6 substrates. The standard deviation of estimated binding energy within one simulation was lowered by minimization in all three example cases. Minimization improved the identification of the correct binding modes of androgen receptor ligands. Although only three case studies are shown, the results are analogous and indicate that these behaviors could be generalized. Such identified binding modes could be further used, for example, with free energy perturbation methods to understand binding energetics more accurately.