bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disturbance from traditional fire management in subalpine heathlands increases Afro‐alpine plant resilience to climate change
Authors: Johansson Maria U. , Frisk Carl A. , Nemomissa Sileshi , Hylander Kristoffer 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSpecies are often controlled by biotic factors such as competition at the warm edge of their distribution range. Disturbances at the treeline, disrupting competitive dominance, may thus enable alpine species to utilize lower altitudes. We searched for evidence for range expansion in grazed, fire‐managed Ethiopian subalpine Erica heathlands across a 25‐year chronosequence. We examined vascular plant composition in 48 plots (5 × 5 m) across an altitudinal range of 3,465–3,711 m.a.s.l. and analyzed how community composition changed in relation to increasing competition over time (using a Shade index based on Erica shrub height and cover) and altitude. Species‘ habitats and altitudinal ranges were derived from literature. Time since fire explained more variation (r2 = .41) in species composition than altitude did (r2 = .32) in an NMDS analysis. Community‐weighted altitudinal optima for species in a plot decreased strongly with increasing shade (GLM, Standardized Regression Coefficient SRC = −.41, p = .003), but increased only weakly with altitude (SRC = .26, p = .054). In other words, young stands were dominated by species with higher altitudinal optima than old stands. Forest species richness increased with Log Shade index (SRC = .12, p = .008), but was unaffected by altitude (SRC = −.07, p = .13). However, richness of alpine and heathland species was not highest in plots with lowest Shade index, but displayed a unimodal pattern with an initial increase, followed by a decrease when shading increased (altitude was not significant). Our results indicate that disturbance from the traditional patch burning increases the available habitat for less competitive high‐altitude plants and prevents tree line ascent. Therefore, maintaining, but regulating, the traditional land use increases the Afro‐alpine flora's resilience to global warming. However, this system is threatened by a new REDD+ program attempting to increase carbon storage via fire suppression. This study highlights the importance of understanding traditional management regimes for biodiversity conservation in cultural landscapes in an era of global change.
Forage types and origin of manure in codigestion affect methane yield and microbial community structure
Authors: Ahlberg‐Eliasson K. , Liu T. , Nadeau E. , Schnürer A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn farm‐scale biogas systems, different kinds of manure are the most important substrate for anaerobic digestion, but result in low biogas yields. Biogas production can be increased by complementing the manure with forage crops, in codigestion. The aim of this study was to evaluate grass‐clover (GCS) and whole‐crop barley silages (WCB) in codigestion with manure from organic and conventional dairy production systems on biogas production, microbial community, degree of degradation and gas quality at different organic loading rates by addition of soya bean meal and wheat grain, which are rich in protein and starch. Four continuous stirred anaerobic laboratory‐scale reactors were used, and the codigestion resulted in additive effects on biogas production, but no synergistic effects. The highest biogas yield was obtained in reactors receiving WCB independently of manure types, for both experiments (7,416 ml/day and 10,978 ml/day respectively). The degradation efficiency, measured as the reduction in volatile solids was, on average, six percentage units higher in the reactors receiving manure from conventional compared with organic dairy cows, probably because of a higher concentration of undigested fibre and proteins in conventional cow manure. Microbiological analysis by illumina sequencing illustrated low impact of both manure types on the reactor community and only small differences between the reactors receiving GCS and WCB. However, addition of soya bean meal and wheat grain changed the community in all reactors. The ratio between Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes was comparably higher in reactors having the highest gas production and methane yield.
Does Shale Energy Development Mean More Crime? The Case of the Bakken Oil Boom
Authors: Lim Siew Hoon 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe rise and fall of shale oil production in recent years have led to tremendous economic growth and challenges to shale communities in the U.S. In this study, we attempt to address the inconsistent results in previous studies and shed light on the relationship between rural crimes and shale oil development at the Bakken using county‐level data for Montana and North Dakota from 2000 through 2014. Our results indicated statistically significant evidence of increased aggravated assaults, burglaries, larcenies, and motor vehicle thefts in shale‐oil producing counties during the boom. However, the regression results suggest that the rise in certain violent crime, such as murder, rape, and robbery, is not statistically attributable to the shale oil boom or oil activity, but to increased population in the two states. The crime effect of the boom also grew larger especially after 2008. The results point to some evidence of social disruption in rural communities undergoing rapid shale oil development. More importantly, the Bakken's crime experience also suggests a number of critical needs for shale energy regions nationwide.
Defining extended half‐life rFVIII—A critical review of the evidence
Authors: Mahlangu J. , Young G. , Hermans C. , Blanchette V. , Berntorp E. , Santagostino E. 
Published: April 2018

IntroductionRecent haemophilia treatment advances include new recombinant FVIII (rFVIII) products with improved pharmacokinetic (PK) properties that aim to reduce the burden of prophylaxis. These treatments are commonly referred to as extended half‐life rFVIII products (EHL rFVIII). There is no uniform definition of what constitutes an EHL rFVIII. Such a definition would help physicians, patients and funders understand the properties of standard and EHL rFVIIIs and thus provide clarity when selecting an EHL in clinical settings.AimTo critically assess the published evidence on new and emerging rFVIII products in order to propose a definition to classify EHL rFVIIIs.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE and regulatory authorities (FDA/EMA/Health Canada) websites for publications and regulatory submissions describing prospective crossover PK studies evaluating rFVIIIs that demonstrate improved PK parameters in adults and adolescents with severe haemophilia A.ResultsFollowing critical analyses of the published data, we developed a holistic approach to defining rFVIIIs as EHLs, which requires all of the following: (i) using technology designed to extend rFVIII half‐life; (ii) lacking bioequivalence with a standard rFVIII comparator—above the FDA/EMA cut‐off of 125% for the 90% confidence intervals for area under the curve ratio; and (iii) having an extended half‐life ratio measured in a PK comparator crossover study.ConclusionIn this systematic review, a pragmatic definition of EHL rFVIII has been proposed that should provide better clarity in clinical discussions surrounding the appropriate use of rFVIII products. At present, only products using PEGylation or Fc fusion half‐life extension technology meet the proposed criteria for definition of EHL rFVIII.
Teaching & Learning Tips 7: small‐group discussion
Authors: Lemoine Elizabeth R. , Rana Jasmine , Burgin Susan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractChallenge: The success of a small‐group discussion depends in large part on the effectiveness of the facilitator or small‐group tutor. How can a facilitator successfully manage diverse views and knowledge bases of participants while also contributing as a member of the group? Herein, we provide tips for managing small‐group discussions that can be applied widely in dermatology didactics.
Therapeutic prospects of targeting myeloid‐derived suppressor cells and immune checkpoints in cancer
Authors: Toor Salman M , Elkord Eyad 
Published: April 2018

AbstractImmune evasion is a characteristic of most human malignancies and is induced via various mechanisms. Immunosuppressive cells, including myeloid‐derived suppressor cells (MDSC) and regulatory T cells (Treg), are key mediators in assisting tumors to escape immune surveillance. Expansion of MDSC, Treg and elevated levels of immune checkpoints (IC) are frequently detected in the tumor microenvironment and periphery of cancer patients. Various therapeutic agents have been shown to target MDSC and to block IC for inducing anti‐tumor immunity and reversal of tumor immune escape. Importantly, some recent studies have shown that MDSC targeting improves the efficacy of IC blockade in cancer therapy. However, there is a pressing need to improve our understanding of the distinct role of these cells to develop combination therapy that attacks tumor cells from all frontiers to improve cancer therapeutics. Herein, we discuss the role of MDSC in cancer progression, interactions with IC in the context of anti‐cancer immunity and the current therapeutic strategies to target MDSC and block IC in cancer.
Anaesthetic efficacy of articaine versus lidocaine in children's dentistry: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tong Huei Jinn , Alzahrani Fatma Salem , Sim Yu Fan , Tahmassebi Jinous F. , Duggal Monty 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundOver the last few years, numerous reviews and studies have awarded articaine hydrochloride local anaesthetic (LA) a superior reputation, with outcomes of different studies demonstrating a general tendency for articaine hydrochloride to outperform lidocaine hydrochloride for dental treatment. Nevertheless, there seems to be no clear agreement on which LA solution is more efficacious in dental treatment for children. There is no previous publication systematically reviewing and summarising the current best evidence with respect to the success rates of LA solutions in children.AimsTo evaluate the available evidence on the efficacy of lidocaine and articaine, used in paediatric dentistry.DesignA systematic search was conducted on Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE (OVID; 1950 to June 2017), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; EBSCOhost; 1982 to June 2017), EMBASE (OVID; 1980 to June 2017), SCI‐EXPANDED (ISI Web of Knowledge; 1900 to June 2017), key journals, and previous review bibliographies through June 2017. Original research studies that compared articaine with lidocaine for dental treatment in children were included. Methodological quality assessment and assessment of risk of bias were carried out for each of the included studies.ResultsElectronic searching identified 525 publications. Following the primary and secondary assessment process, six randomised controlled trials (RCT) were included in the final analysis. There was no difference between patient self‐reported pain between articaine and lidocaine during treatment procedures (SMD = 0.06, P‐value = 0.614), and no difference in the occurrence of adverse events between articaine and lidocaine injections following treatment in paediatric patients (RR = 1.10, P‐value = 0.863). Yet, patients reported significantly less pain post‐procedure following articaine injections (SMD = 0.37, P‐value = 0.013). Substantial heterogeneity was noted in the reporting of outcomes among studies, with the overall quality of majority of studies being at high risk of bias.ConclusionsThere is low quality evidence suggesting that both articaine as infiltration and lidocaine IAD nerve blocks presented the same efficacy when used for routine dental treatments, with no difference between patient self‐reported pain between articaine and lidocaine during treatment procedures. Yet, significantly less pain post‐procedure was reported following articaine injections. There was no difference in the occurrence of adverse events between articaine and lidocaine injections following treatment in paediatric patients.
Poverty alleviation through government‐led e‐commerce development in rural China: An activity theory perspective
Authors: Li Liang , Du Kui , Zhang Wei , Mao Ji‐Ye 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis paper uses activity theoretic analyses to investigate the role of governments in developing rural e‐commerce ecosystems and the effects of such ecosystems on poverty alleviation. On the basis of a case study of Longnan, one of the poorest regions in China, this paper reports and analyses the various actions taken by local governments in nurturing, supporting, and regulating the development of a local rural e‐commerce ecosystem and using this ecosystem to transform poverty alleviation. Our study articulates a model of poverty alleviation through e‐commerce. By documenting and theorizing the mechanisms underlying rural e‐commerce development and poverty alleviation through e‐commerce as well as governments' role in developing and sustaining them, this paper contributes to establishing a “theory of the solution” to the grand challenge of poverty alleviation both in China and globally.
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Malhi Nav , Hawkins Nathaniel M. , Andrade Jason G. , Krahn Andrew D. , Deyell Marc W. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAtrial fibrillation and heart failure are increasing in prevalence, and frequently coexist. Despite the desire to restore sinus rhythm in heart failure patients, large studies comparing rate control to pharmacologic rhythm control have failed to show superiority of either approach. This may in part be due to the inefficacy and higher risk of adverse effects with antiarrhythmic drugs in HF patients. As such, catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction has been increasingly explored as a treatment modality. We review the contemporary evidence regarding patient selection, efficacy, safety, and impact of catheter ablation on outcomes in patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.
Reply to: pyoderma gangrenosum: a clinical conundrum
Authors: Gupta A.S. , Greiling T.M. , Ortega‐Loayza A.G. 
Published: April 2018

Linked article: This article is commented on by A. Abdelmaksoud, pp. e381–e382 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/jdv.14983
Secukinumab treatment in new‐onset psoriasis: aiming to understand the potential for disease modification – rationale and design of the randomized, multicenter STEPIn study
Authors: Iversen L. , Eidsmo L. , Austad J. , de Rie M. , Osmancevic A. , Skov L. , Talme T. , Bachmann I. , van de Kerkhof P. , Stahle M. , Banerjee R. , Oliver J. , Fasth A.E.R. , Frueh J. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundTo date, biological treatments have been assessed in subjects with a long‐term history of psoriasis and previous failures to systemic and topical therapies. In rheumatoid arthritis and other immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases, early intensive systemic treatment prolongs treatment‐free remission. We hypothesize that, by treating patients with psoriasis early with an effective systemic therapy, we may be able to alter the clinical outcome and the natural course of the disease. The STEPIn study (NCT03020199) investigates early intervention with secukinumab versus narrow‐band ultraviolet B (nb‐UVB) phototherapy in subjects with new‐onset psoriasis.ObjectiveTo determine whether early intervention with either nb‐UVB treatment or secukinumab in subjects with new‐onset plaque psoriasis might modify the natural course of the disease.MethodsOne hundred and sixty subjects aged 18–50 years with new‐onset (≤12 months) moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis and naïve to systemic treatment and phototherapy will be randomized to secukinumab 300 mg or nb‐UVB. The Main Study has two treatment arms: Arm A1, subcutaneous secukinumab 300 mg at baseline, Weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4, and every 4 weeks thereafter until and including Week 52; Arm B1, one/two cycles of nb‐UVB for 12 weeks each (maximum 28‐week break between cycles). After treatment discontinuation, patients will be followed up and monitored for disease activity up to Week 208. A Mechanistic Sub‐study will assess immunological changes and pathogenic tissue‐resident memory T cells in skin biopsies.ConclusionsSTEPIn is the first study to investigate whether early intensive treatment in new‐onset psoriasis can modify the long‐term natural course of the disease and thus become a novel treatment strategy for patients with psoriasis.
Accuracy of dermoscopic criteria for the differentiation between superficial basal cell carcinoma and Bowen's disease
Authors: Papageorgiou C. , Apalla Z. , Variaah G. , Matiaki F.C. , Sotiriou E. , Vakirlis E. , Lazaridou E. , Ioannides D. , Lallas A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe dermoscopic features of superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC) and Bowen's disease (BD) have been extensively investigated, and dermoscopy was shown to significantly improve their recognition. However, incorrectly diagnosed cases still exist, with a considerable number of sBCCs dermoscopically interpreted as BD. Our aim was to investigate the dermoscopic variability in sBCC and BD on different anatomic sites, to identify potent dermoscopic predictors for each diagnosis and to investigate the potential source of the inaccurate clinico‐dermoscopic diagnosis of some sBCCs.MethodsDermoscopic images of histopathologically diagnosed sBCC and BD were evaluated by three independent investigators for the presence of predefined criteria. Subsequently, three independent investigators with expertise in dermoscopy classified the tumours as sBCC or BD based on the dermoscopic image. Diagnostic accuracy scores were calculated and crude and adjusted odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals were calculated by univariate and conditional multivariate logistic regression, respectively.ResultsA total of 283 lesions were included in the study (194 sBCCs and 89 BD). The main dermoscopic predictors of BD were dotted vessels (7.5‐fold) and glomerular vessels (12.7‐fold). The presence of leaf‐like areas/spoke‐wheel areas/concentric structures (OR = 0.027) and arborizing vessels (OR = 0.065) has predicted sBCC. Multivariate risk factors for sBCC misclassification were the location on lower extremities (OR = 5.5), the presence of dotted vessels (OR = 59.5) and the presence of large ulceration (OR = 6.4). In contrast, the presence of brown‐coloured pigmentation was a protective predictor for misdiagnosis (OR = 0.007). Finally, a subgroup analysis of lesions located on lower extremities revealed two additional potent predictors of sBCC: superficial fine telangiectasia (SFT) and whity shiny blotches/strands.ConclusionsDotted and glomerular vessels are strong predictors of BD. When located on the lower extremities, sBCC may also display dotted vessels, rendering its recognition problematic. On the latter anatomic site, clinicians should consider SFT and whity shiny blotches/strands as additional sBCC predictors.
Acne and nutrition: hypotheses, myths and facts
Authors: Claudel J.P. , Auffret N. , Leccia M.T. , Poli F. , Dréno B. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAcne is an inflammatory and multifactorial skin disease. Different external and internal factors, including air pollution, aggressive skincare products, medication, mechanical, hormonal and familial factors and, more recently, lifestyle and stress, have been suggested as having an impact on acne. Moreover, for many years nutrition was believed to cause or worsen acne. Over the last decades, however, it has become a dermatological doctrine that there is no direct association between diet and acne. Even if recent research has allowed to identify certain nutritional elements and behaviour that may impact on acne, including the excessive intake of dairy products and hyperglycaemic food, modern lifestyle nutrition, obesity and eating disorders, knowledge about the role of nutrition in the physiopathology of acne still remains sparse and hypotheses and myths continue to dominate the debate. Thus, further clinical and translational research is necessary to investigate and confirm the association between nutrition and acne.
Exploratory study on the relationship between smoking and other risk behaviours among young smokers
Authors: Ho Ka Yan , Li Ho Cheung William , Lam Katherine Ka Wai , Chan Sophia Siu Chee , Wang Man Ping , Chan Vivian Wai Fung , Xia Viveka Wei , Lam Tai Hing 
Published: April 2018

Aims and objectivesTo explore the relationship between smoking and other risk behaviours among Chinese young people in Hong Kong.BackgroundThere is growing concern about coexisting risk behaviours in young smokers. Information about smoking and other risk behaviours is crucial for developing interventions to promote smoking abstinence and adoption of healthy lifestyles. The relationship between smoking and other risk behaviours among Chinese young people in Hong Kong has not been explored.DesignThis is a mixed‐method retrospective population‐based study.MethodsA retrospective population‐based study was conducted with 1,147 young smokers through Youth Quitline between November 2011–July 2016. Attitudes, behaviours and experiences related to smoking and risk behaviours among Chinese young smokers were examined in semi‐structured qualitative interviews with 30 participants randomly selected from the retrospective population‐based study.ResultsIn total, 45.5% participants reported engaging in at least one other risk behaviour. The interviews revealed that drinking alcohol may have a significant impact on quitting smoking. In addition, smoking may be a gateway for more serious risk behaviours during adolescence. Low health awareness may explain the unhealthy lifestyles among young smokers.ConclusionsThis study bridges a gap in existing literature by exploring relationships between smoking and other risk behaviours among young people in Hong Kong.Relevance to clinical practiceGiven the interrelationships between smoking and other risk behaviours, a holistic approach should be used to promote smoking cessation and healthy lifestyles among young smokers. If young smokers improve their health and quit smoking at the same time, their physical and mental development will benefit as a secondary outcome.