bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A global envelope test to detect non‐random bursts of trait evolution
Authors: Murrell David J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe joint analysis of species’ evolutionary relatedness and their morphological evolution has offered much promise in understanding the processes that underpin the generation of biological diversity.Disparity through time (DTT) is a popular method that estimates the relative trait disparity within and between subclades, and compares this to the null hypothesis that trait values follow Brownian evolution along the time‐calibrated phylogenetic tree. To visualise the differences a confidence envelope is normally created by calculating, at every time point, the 97.5% minimum and 97.5% maximum disparity values from multiple simulations of the null model. The null hypothesis is rejected whenever the empirical DTT curve falls outside of this envelope, and these time periods may then be linked to events that may have sparked non‐random trait evolution.Here, simulated data are used to show this pointwise (ranking at each time point) method of envelope construction suffers from multiple testing and a poor, uncontrolled, false‐positive rate. As a consequence it cannot be recommended. Instead, each DTT curve can be given a single rank based upon their most extreme disparity value, relative to all other curves, and across all time points. Ordering curves this way leads to a test that avoids multiple testing, but still allows construction of a confidence envelope. The null hypothesis is rejected if the empirical DTT curve is ranked within the most extreme 5% ranked curves from the null model. Comparison of the rank envelope curve to the Morphological Disparity Index and Node Height tests shows it to have generally higher power to detect non‐Brownian trait evolution. An extension to allow simultaneous testing over multiple traits is also detailed.Overall the results suggest the new rank envelope test should be used in null model testing for DTT analyses. The rank envelope method can easily be adapted into recently developed posterior predictive simulation methods used in model selection analyses. More generally, the rank envelope test should be adopted whenever a null model produces a vector of correlated values and the user wants to determine where the empirical data are different to the null model.
Accounting for differences in species frequency distributions when calculating beta diversity in the fossil record
Authors: Brocklehurst Neil , Day Michael O. , Fröbisch Jörg 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBeta diversity is a measure of the taxonomic differentiation between habitats/localities within an assemblage, and is normally calculated as a set of pairwise taxonomic “distances” between the localities.Due to incomplete sampling, beta diversity estimates for fossil assemblages will always be higher than the true value. However, the difference between the observed and true distances will vary greatly depending on differences in the shape of the relative abundance distribution.Using simulations, it is shown that incomplete sampling of a homogenous fauna with more even relative abundances of taxa produces higher beta diversity than one with very few extremely common taxa.A new procedure is proposed for calculating beta diversity in the fossil record, whereby the observed distances are compared to the distance obtained by randomly resampling a homogenous fauna with the same abundance distribution. This procedure is named Relative Abundance Corrected beta diversity. Simulations indicate that this method outperforms raw beta diversity estimates, providing beta diversity estimates closer to the true values even when the assumptions of the method are violated.This method is applied to an empirical dataset: Permian–Triassic tetrapods from the Karoo Supergroup of South Africa. Increased provincialism is found across the Permian–Triassic boundary in contrast to uncorrected beta diversity patterns.
Stress ulcer prophylaxis in adult intensive care unit patients – a protocol for a systematic review
Authors: Barbateskovic M. , Marker S. , Jakobsen J. C. , Krag M. , Granholm A. , Anthon C. T. , Perner A. , Wetterslev J. , Møller M. H. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundIn the intensive care unit (ICU), stress ulcer prophylaxis with proton pump inhibitors or histamine‐2‐receptor antagonists is standard of care although gastrointestinal bleeding remains uncommon. It remains unknown whether its use is associated with benefits or harms and the quality of evidence supporting the use of stress ulcer prophylaxis has been questioned. Accordingly, the objective of this systematic review was to critically assess the evidence from randomized clinical trials on the benefits and harms of stress ulcer prophylaxis vs. placebo or no prophylaxis in adult ICU patients.MethodsWe will systematically search for randomized clinical trials in major international databases. Two authors will independently screen and select trials for inclusion, extract data and assess the methodological quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Any disagreement will be resolved by consensus. We will perform conventional meta‐analyses using Review Manager, and STATA 15, and we will assess the risk of random errors using Trial Sequential Analysis. Also, we will assess and report the overall quality of evidence for all outcomes according to GRADE.DiscussionThe evidence on the benefits and harms of stress ulcer prophylaxis in adult ICU patients is unclear and an updated systematic review is warranted as new trials have been published. To control risks of systematic and random errors, we will use Cochrane and GRADE methodology and Trial Sequential Analysis. Our ambition with this systematic review is to provide updated, reliable and precise data to better inform decision makers on the use of stress ulcer prophylaxis in adult ICU patients.
Preoperative vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction: a predefined exploratory sub‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Y. , Shan G.‐J. , Zhang Y.‐X. , Cao S.‐J. , Zhu S.‐N. , Li H.‐J. , Ma D. , Wang D.‐X. ,   the First Study of Perioperative Organ Protection (SPOP1) Investigators
Published: March 2018

BackgroundVitamin D is important for maintaining physiological functions including cognition and its deficiency is associated with the occurrence of cognitive impairment. This study was to explore the association between preoperative vitamin D status and the occurrence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in elderly patients undergoing major surgery.MethodsThis was a predefined exploratory sub‐analysis of one‐centre data from a randomized controlled trial. In all, 123 elderly (≥ 65 years) patients who were scheduled to undergo major cancer surgery were recruited. Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentration was measured before surgery. In total, 59 nonsurgical control subjects with comparable age and education level were also enrolled. A battery of neuropsychological tests was administered the day before and the 7th day after surgery in patients or at the same time interval in control subjects. POCD was diagnosed according to the ISPOCD1 definition.Results71.5% (88/123) of elderly patients had vitamin D deficiency (serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D concentration < 12 ng/ml) before surgery; 24.4% (30/123) of them developed cognitive dysfunction at 1 week after surgery. After adjusting for confounding factors, high preoperative serum 25‐hydroxyvitamine D concentration was related to a decreased risk of POCD (odds ratio [OR]: 0.829, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.708–0.971; P = 0.020), whereas preoperative vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased risk of POCD (OR: 8.427, 95% CI: 1.595–44.511; P = 0.012).ConclusionsVitamin D deficiency is prevalent in elderly patients undergoing major cancer surgery and increases the risk of early POCD development. Whether prophylactic vitamin D supplementation can reduce POCD in the elderly deserves further study.
Incidence and related factors for intraoperative failed spinal anaesthesia for lower limb arthroplasty
Authors: Aasvang E. K. , Laursen M. B. , Madsen J. , Krøigaard M. , Solgaard S. , Kjærsgaard‐Andersen P. , Mandøe H. , Hansen T. B. , Nielsen J. U. , Krarup N. , Skøtt A. E. , Kehlet H. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundSpinal anaesthesia is the preferred choice for total hip‐ and knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA), due to the claimed superior outcome profile, relative simple technique and without the need for advanced airway support. However, choosing and informing about spinal anaesthesia should also include the risk for intraoperative failed spinal anaesthesia with associated pain, discomfort and suboptimal settings for airway management. Small‐scale studies suggest incidences from 1 to 17%; however, no multi‐institutional large data exists on failed spinal incidence and related factors during THA/TKA, hindering evidence‐based information and potential anaesthesia stratification.MethodsIn a sub‐analysis, data from a prospective study on spinal anaesthesia for THA/TKA were examined for incidence of intraoperative conversion to general anaesthesia. Potential perioperative factors (age, gender, American Society of Anaesthesiologist (ASA) score, height, weight, BMI, procedure, bupivacaine dosage and duration of time from spinal administration until end of surgery) were analysed with logistic regression for relation to failed spinal anaesthesia.ResultsIn all, 1451 patients were included for analysis, whereof 57 (3.9%) had failed spinal anaesthesia. Spinal failure patients were significantly younger (61 vs. 67 years, P = 0.003), and operation time longer in the failed spinal group vs no‐failure, respectively (133 vs. 89 min, P < 0.001). No significant differences were found with regard to bupivacaine volume, gender, ASA‐score, height, weight, BMI or THA vs. TKA.ConclusionFailed spinal anaesthesia for THA and TKA is a relatively frequent occurrence and identification of risk patients is not feasible. These results should be considered when choosing anaesthesia and included in the information to patients.
nNOS–CAPON interaction mediates amyloid‐β‐induced neurotoxicity, especially in the early stages
Authors: Zhang Yu , Zhu Zhu , Liang Hai‐Ying , Zhang Lei , Zhou Qi‐Gang , Ni Huan‐Yu , Luo Chun‐Xia , Zhu Dong‐Ya 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIn neurons, increased protein–protein interactions between neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and its carboxy‐terminal PDZ ligand (CAPON) contribute to excitotoxicity and abnormal dendritic spine development, both of which are involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease. In models of Alzheimer's disease, increased nNOS–CAPON interaction was detected after treatment with amyloid‐β in vitro, and a similar change was found in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice (a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease), compared with age‐matched background mice in vivo. After blocking the nNOS–CAPON interaction, memory was rescued in 4‐month‐old APP/PS1 mice, and dendritic impairments were ameliorated both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, we demonstrated that S‐nitrosylation of Dexras1 and inhibition of the ERK–CREB–BDNF pathway might be downstream of the nNOS–CAPON interaction.
Sugarcane and Eucalyptus plantation equally limit the movement of two forest‐dependent understory bird species
Authors: Giubbina Marina Furlan , Martensen Alexandre Camargo , Ribeiro Milton Cezar 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHabitat fragmentation results in landscape configuration, which affects the species that inhabit it. As a consequence, natural habitat is replaced by different anthropogenic plantation types (e.g. pasture, agriculture, forestry plantations and urban areas). Anthropogenic plantations are important for biodiversity maintenance because some species or functional groups can use it as a complementary habitat. However, depending on plantation permeability, it can act as a barrier to the movement of organisms between habitat patches, such as forest fragments, reducing functional connectivity for many species. Anthropogenic plantations are becoming the most common land use and cover type in the Anthropocene and biodiversity conservation in fragmented landscapes requires information on how different plantation types affect the capacity of the species to move through the landscape. In this study, we evaluated the influence of the type and structure of plantations on the movement of two forest‐dependent understory bird species – plain antvireo (Dysithamnus mentalis) and flavescent warbler (Myiothlyps flaveola) – within a highly fragmented landscape of Atlantic Forest hotspot. Knowing that forestry plantation is assumed to be more permeable to dependent forest bird species than open ones, we selected six study areas containing a forest fragment and surrounding plantation: three with sugarcane plantation and three with Eucalyptus sp. plantation. We used playback calls to stimulate the birds to leave forest fragments and traverse the plantations. Control trials were also carried out inside the forest fragments to compare the distances crossed. We observed that individuals moved longer distances inside forest than between plantation types, which demonstrate that plantations do constrict the movements of both species. The two plantation types equally impeded the movements of the species, suggesting the opposite of the general assumption that forestry plantations are more permeable. Our results indicate that, for generalist species, plantation type does not matter, but its presence negatively impacts movement of these bird species. We highlight that plantations have negative influences on the movements of common bird species, and discuss why this is important when setting conservation priorities.
The tripartite relationship between a bioturbator, mycorrhizal fungi, and a key Mediterranean forest tree
Authors: Tay Natasha E. , Hopkins Anna J. M. , Ruthrof Katinka X. , Burgess Treena , Hardy Giles E. StJ. , Fleming Patricia A. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMycorrhizal fungi serve important functions in Australian ecosystems by forming mutualistic symbioses with plants that facilitate water and nutrient uptake. Scat analyses have shown that southern brown bandicoots (Isoodon obesulus fusciventer; ‘Quenda’) regularly feed on fungi, including ectomycorrhizal (ECM) species. Many of these ECM species are hypogeous and rely on mycophagous animals such as quenda to disperse their spores. We explored the tripartite relationship between a keystone Mediterranean tree, its associated mycorrhizal fungi, and a mammalian disperser. Wild‐collected quenda scats were used as a mycorrhizal inoculum to grow Eucalyptus gomphocephala from seeds under glasshouse conditions. Autoclaved scats were used as a negative‐control and sporocarp tissue from Pisolithus and Scleroderma ectomycorrhizal species were mixed together as a positive‐control inoculum. Seedlings were harvested at 10 weeks to assess seedling growth and early mycorrhizal colonization of roots by high‐throughput DNA sequencing. Quenda scat successfully introduced fungi to seedlings, shown by a 56% overlap of fungal operational taxonomic units (OTUs) detected in the scats and roots grown in fresh scat inoculum. Scat‐inoculated seedlings had richer root mycorrhiza fungal assemblages and a higher proportion of mycorrhizal taxa compared to negative‐ and positive‐controls. However, no difference in shoot or root mass in these young seedlings could be attributed to root fungi assemblages at this early growth stage, possibly reflecting that the role of mycorrhizae in these early seedlings was parasitic, rather than facilitatory. Our study has shown that spores of mycorrhizal fungi from the quenda scat inoculum can successfully germinate and colonize seedling roots after passage through the quenda gut.
An atypical clinical presentation of lichen planus pigmentosus with typical dermoscopic pattern
Authors: Gajjar Prachi C , Mehta Hita H , Nimbark Vivek , Jethwa Manisha 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe report a rare and interesting case of a combined linear, Blaschkoid and zosteriform pattern of lichen planus pigmentosus. Dermoscopy showed discrete bluish‐grey dots, globules, blotches and rods against a brownish background. A skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis from the presence of civatte bodies, melanin incontinence and band‐like inflammation.
Treatment of scalp dysesthesia utilising simple exercises and stretches: A pilot study
Authors: Laidler Nicholas K , Chan Jonathan 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackground/ObjectivesScalp dysesthesia is characterised by abnormal cutaneous sensations such as burning, stinging or itching of the scalp in the absence of objective dermatological findings. We hypothesised that the unpleasant sensations are the result of a sensory neuropathy secondary to cervical spine dysfunction and chronic tension of the pericranial muscles. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the use of an exercise protocol consisting of cervical spine range of movement exercises, gentle mobilisation and muscle stretches over 4 weeks. The exercise protocol was designed to relieve cervical nerve compression through the restoration of cervical homeostasis.MethodsIn total, 16 participants, aged 18–71 (average 45 years), diagnosed with scalp dysesthesia were recruited from an outpatient dermatology clinic and given instructions on how to perform a specifically designed exercise protocol twice daily for 4 weeks. Baseline characteristics and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pruritus were recorded prior to commencement and a VAS for pruritus recorded weekly thereafter.ResultsAt week 4, 10 participants experienced a satisfactory reduction in their symptoms, four experienced complete resolution and two experienced no benefit, with no adverse effects reported. We conclude that a programme of simple exercises and stretches is an effective treatment for scalp dysesthesia.ConclusionsThis low‐risk treatment is easily implemented, non‐invasive and non‐pharmacological. Within the limits of this small pilot study, benefits are shown, and we believe further research is warranted.
Nitric oxide synthase and oxidative‐nitrosative stress play a key role in placental infection by Trypanosoma cruzi
Authors: Triquell María Fernanda , Díaz‐Luján Cintia , Romanini María Cristina , Ramirez Juan Carlos , Paglini‐Oliva Patricia , Schijman Alejandro Gabriel , Fretes Ricardo Emilio 
Published: March 2018

ProblemThe innate immune response of the placenta may participate in the congenital transmission of Chagas disease through releasing reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates.Method of studyPlacental explants were cultured with 1 × 106 and 1 × 105 trypomastigotes of Tulahuen and Lucky strains and controls without parasites, and with the addition of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nω‐Nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME) and N‐acetyl cysteine (NAC) as the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger. Detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast (STB) was examined by histological analysis, and the nitric oxide synthase, endothelial (eNOS), and nitrotyrosine expressions were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, as well as the human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels in the culture supernatant through ELISA assays. Parasite load with qPCR using Taqman primers was quantified.ResultsThe higher number of T. cruzi (106) increased placental infection, eNOS expression, nitrosative stress, and STB detachment, with the placental barrier being injured by oxidative stress.ConclusionThe higher number of parasites caused deleterious consequences to the placental barrier, and the inhibitors (l‐NAME and NAC) prevented the damage caused by trypomastigotes in placental villi but not that of the infection. Moreover, trophoblast eNOS played a key role in placental infection with the highest inoculum of Lucky, demonstrating the importance of the enzyme and nitrosative‐oxidative stress in Chagas congenital transmission.
An assessment of the tolerability of the Cook staged extubation wire in patients with known or suspected difficult airways extubated in intensive care
Authors: McManus S. , Jones L. , Anstey C. , Senthuran S. 
Published: March 2018

SummaryThe Cook staged extubation set (Cook Medical) has been developed to facilitate management of the difficult airway. A guidewire inserted before tracheal extubation provides access to the subglottic airway should re‐intubation be required. This prospective cohort study examines patients’ tolerance of the guidewire and its impact on clinical status around tracheal extubation in the intensive care unit. Vital signs, incidence of symptoms and patient tolerance of the wire were recorded. Twenty‐three patients were enrolled and 17 (73%) tolerated the wire for 4 h. Nasendoscopy was performed in 11 of these patients and revealed one wire was in the oesophagus. The most common symptom was a mild intermittent cough in 13 patients. There was no impact of the guidewire on nursing care in 16 patients, tolerable impact in five and severe impact necessitating removal of the wire in one patient.
Oleuropein, a component of extra virgin olive oil, lowers postprandial glycaemia in healthy subjects
Authors: Carnevale Roberto , Silvestri Romano , Loffredo Lorenzo , Novo Marta , Cammisotto Vittoria , Castellani Valentina , Bartimoccia Simona , Nocella Cristina , Violi Francesco 
Published: March 2018

AimsExtra virgin olive oil lowers postprandial glycaemia. We investigated if oleuropein, a component of extra virgin olive oil, exerts a similar effect on postprandial glycaemia and the underlying mechanism.MethodsTwenty healthy subjects were randomly allocated in a cross‐over design to 20 mg oleuropein or placebo immediately before lunch. Postprandial glycaemia along with blood insulin, dipeptidyl‐peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 and oxidative stress, which included soluble NADPH oxidase‐derived peptide activity (sNox2‐dp), 8‐iso‐prostaglandin‐2α and platelet p47phox phosphorylation, were analysed before and 2 h after meal.ResultsAfter 2 h, subjects who assumed oleuropein had significantly lower blood glucose, DPP‐4 activity and higher insulin and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 compared to placebo. Furthermore, sNox2‐dp, 8‐iso‐PGF2α and platelet p47phox phosphorylation were significantly lower in oleuropein‐ compared to placebo‐treated subjects. DPP‐4 significantly correlated with sNox2‐dp [Spearman's rho (Rs) = 0.615; P < 0.001], p47phox phosphorylation (Rs = 0.435; P < 0.05) and 8‐iso‐ prostaglandin‐2α (Rs = 0.33; P < 0.05). In vitro study demonstrated that hydroxytyrosol, a metabolite of oleuropein, significantly reduced p47phox phosphorylation and isoprostane formation.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that oleuropein improves postprandial glycaemic profile via hampering Nox2‐derived oxidative stress.