bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Landscape history confounds the ability of the NDVI to detect fine‐scale variation in grassland communities
Authors: Löfgren Oskar , Prentice Honor C. , Moeckel Thomas , Schmid Barbara C. , Hall Karin 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

The NDVI is a remotely sensed vegetation index that is frequently used in ecological studies. There is, however, a lack of studies that evaluate the ability of the NDVI to detect fine‐scale variation in grassland plant community composition and species richness. Ellenberg indicators characterize the environmental preferences of plant species—and community‐mean Ellenberg values have been used to explore the environmental drivers of community assembly.

We used variation partitioning to test the ability of satellite‐based NDVI to explain community‐mean Ellenberg nutrient (mN) and moisture (mF) indices, and the richness of habitat‐specialist species in dry grasslands of different ages. The grasslands represent a gradient of decreasing soil nutrient status.

If community composition is determined by the responses of individual species to the underlying environmental conditions and if, at the same time, community composition determines the optical characteristics of the vegetation canopy, then positive relationships between the NDVI and mN and mF are expected. Many grassland specialists are intolerant of nutrient‐rich soils. If specialist richness is negatively related to soil‐nutrient levels, then a negative association between the NDVI and specialist richness is expected. However, because grassland community composition is not only influenced by abiotic variables but also by other spatial and temporal drivers, we included spatial variables and grassland age in the statistical analyses.

The NDVI explained the majority of the variation in mF, and also contributed to a substantial proportion of the variation in mN. However, variation in specialist richness and the lowest values of mN were explained by grassland age and spatial variables—but were poorly explained by the NDVI.

Synthesis and applications. The NDVI showed a good ability to detect variation in plant community composition, and should provide a valuable tool for assessing fine‐scale environmental variation in grasslands or for monitoring changes in grassland habitat properties. However, because the concentration of grassland specialists not only depends on environmental variables but also on the age and spatial context of the grasslands, the NDVI is unlikely to allow the identification of grasslands with high numbers of specialist species.
Why understanding the pioneering and continuing contributions ofBIOCLIMto species distribution modelling is important
Authors: Booth Trevor H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractModern species distribution modelling (SDM) began in 1984 with the launch of theBIOCLIMprogram in Australia. With more than 900 papers mentioning ‘species distribution model’ published around the world to date,SDMis one of the most active areas of global ecology. Three books published in 2009, 2011 and 2017 have reviewedSDM, and the closely related areas of ecological niche modelling and habitat suitability modelling. All three books provide excellent introductions to these topics, but give very little information on the role thatBIOCLIMplayed in laying the foundation for these research areas. Understanding the history ofBIOCLIMis vital because it was the first package to implement the basicSDMprocess in an easy‐to‐use integrated system. It provided what are still the most commonly used set of 19 bioclimatic variables and contributed to the development of the interpolation routines used to prepare the most commonly used source of bioclimatic data (WorldClim). EarlyBIOCLIMstudies investigated important issues such as ecological niche, invasion risk, conservation planning and impacts of climate change. Although all three books acknowledge that theBIOCLIMpackage was important in earlySDMresearch, they all deal with the pioneering work very briefly and omit important details which are described here. Virtually all currentSDMstudies owe something to the pioneeringBIOCLIMwork, but this is rarely acknowledged.
Does an extreme age (≥80 years) affect outcomes in patients after liver cancer surgery? A meta‐analysis
Authors: Wei Fangqiang 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundIncreasing global life expectancy has resulted in a greater demand for cancer surgery in aged patients. However, whether extreme age causes poorer clinical outcomes remains unclear. This meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of extreme age (≥80 years) on outcomes in patients after liver cancer surgery.MethodsA systematic search was performed to enrol relevant studies. Data were analysed using fixed‐effects or random‐effects models. Eight retrospective studies involving 253 participants older than 80 years were included.ResultsCompared with younger patients, patients of extreme age (≥80 years) who had undergone curative liver cancer surgery experienced less operating time and blood loss (both P < 0.0001); a larger size (weighted mean difference = 0.48 cm, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.08–0.87 cm; P = 0.02) and more advanced stage of hepatocellular carcinoma (risk ratio (RR) = 1.20, 95% CI 1.04–1.39; P = 0.01); a higher overall morbidity (RR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.05–1.47; P = 0.01); and more post‐operative ileus (POI) (RR = 3.45, 95% CI 1.03–11.56; P = 0.04), delirium (RR = 3.04, 95% CI 1.36–6.78; P = 0.007) and cardiovascular events (RR = 6.17, 95% CI 2.79–13.60; P < 0.00001). No significant difference was noted in overall (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.15, 95% CI 0.87–1.53; P = 0.32) or disease‐free (HR = 0.96, 95% CI 0.75–1.24; P = 0.77) survival.ConclusionAlthough an extreme age may not be a contraindication for undertaking liver cancer surgery, it may cause more morbidity. Perioperative intervention should be considered for prevention and early treatment of POI, delirium and cardiovascular events.
Pattern of care for cancer of the oesophagus in a western population
Authors: Nguyen Thuy‐My N. , Hummel Richard , Bright Tim , Thompson Sarah K. , Tornqvist Bjorn , Watson David I. 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundMost oesophageal outcome research focuses on surgical treatment, despite most patients not undergoing surgery as they are unfit or have metastatic disease. Few studies have evaluated the patterns of care for all patients presenting with oesophageal cancer.MethodsAll patients with oesophageal cancer, and high‐grade dysplasia (HGD), presented at the South Australian state‐wide upper gastrointestinal cancer multidisciplinary team from 2012 to 2015 were reviewed to determine the patterns of presentation and treatment.ResultsA total of 375 patients were included. Diagnosis was adenocarcinoma in 69.6%, squamous cell carcinoma in 24.8% and HGD in 5.6%. The majority of patients presented with stages II and III disease (56.8%). A total of 51.5% were treated with curative intent, with 28.8% undergoing surgery and/or neoadjuvant therapy. Treatment was palliative in 48.5%, with chemoradiotherapy utilized in 20.8%. Disease stage and age impacted treatment intent. All patients with HGD received curative treatment versus 89.7%/63.8%/1% of patients with stage I/II and III/IV disease, respectively. A total of 56.9% of patients <80 years received curative treatment versus 25% of those >80 years old.ConclusionWhilst approximately half of patients underwent treatment with curative intent, only a minority underwent surgery. Future efforts to improve survival outcomes for oesophageal cancer should address patients who are unfit for surgery and those presenting with metastatic disease.
Use of topical ocular antibiotics in young children: a Scandinavian drug utilization study
Authors: Andersson Jasmine , Hofsli Mikael , Gade Uffe Lomholt , Heegaard Steffen , Pottegård Anton 
Published: June 2018

AbstractPurposeAcute infectious conjunctivitis is a common disease. While usually self‐limiting, children often receive treatment to be accepted back into nursery, day care or school. We aimed to describe trends in the utilization of topical ocular antibiotics in young children aged 0–4 years in Denmark, Norway and Sweden.MethodsUsing individual‐level data from the Danish National Prescription Registry (2000–2015), we provided detailed descriptions of treatment patterns at the individual level, stratified by age (0–1 years, 2–4 years) and antibiotic substance. Aggregate‐level data for Danish, Norwegian and Swedish children (0–4 years) were obtained from publicly available data sources (2000–2016).ResultsWe identified 107 581 Danish children aged 0–4 years receiving 271 980 treatment episodes. The incidence rate was relatively stable between 2000 and 2010 (on average, 637 and 283/1000 person‐years for 0‐ to 1‐ and 2‐ to 4‐year‐olds, respectively), after which it dropped by 37% until 2015. In the aggregated data, a markedly higher use was seen in Denmark (211/1000 children in 2016) compared with Sweden (42) and Norway (151). The decrease from 2010 onwards was observed in all three countries. Chloramphenicol and fusidic acid were the most commonly used topical ocular antibiotics across Scandinavia. Tobramycin was rarely used in Norway and Sweden (≤1/1000 children in 2016) compared with Denmark (24/1000 children).ConclusionConsiderable variation is seen in the utilization of topical ocular antibiotics among children in Scandinavia, with Denmark having the highest use. Across the Scandinavian countries, however, a decline was noted from 2010 onwards.
Seasonality of birth affects paediatric coeliac disease
Authors: Daniel Sharon , Kalansky Adie , Tsur Avishai , Pinsk Vered , Ling Galina , Rannan Ronit , Yerushalmi Baruch 
Published: June 2018

AbstractAimThis study investigated the seasonality of birth in children diagnosed with coeliac disease (CD) at a tertiary University hospital in Southern Israel.MethodsThis was a population‐based retrospective time series analysis study from January 1988 to December 2014. There were 308 903 live births at Soroka University Medical Centre during the study period and 699 were diagnosed with CD. We combined three databases covering births, CD diagnoses and weather indices. The daily proportion of births that resulted in CD for the different four seasons and high seasons were compared to the weather indices on the day of birth using negative binomial regression.ResultsStatistically significant associations were found between the season of birth and the rate of CD, with autumn births being associated with a higher risk for the development of CD than births during the summer, with an incidence ratio of 1.22. The association was further increased when the defined summer and autumn high seasons were used, with an incidence ratio of 1.40. No association was found between CD and the mean temperature and global radiation.ConclusionCoeliac disease was associated with birth during the autumn and the autumn high season posed an even more significant risk factor.
A first‐in‐man safety and pharmacokinetics study of nangibotide, a new modulator of innate immune response through TREM‐1 receptor inhibition
Authors: Cuvier Valerie , Lorch Ulrike , Witte Stephan , Olivier Aurelie , Gibot Sebastien , Delor Isabelle , Garaud Jean‐Jacques , Derive Marc , Salcedo‐Magguilli Margarita 
Published: June 2018

AimsThe peptide nangibotide is the first clinical‐stage agent targeting the immunoreceptor TREM‐1 (triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells‐1) and is being investigated as a novel therapy for acute inflammatory disorders such as septic shock. This first‐in‐man, randomized, double‐blind, ascending dose, placebo‐controlled Phase I study evaluated the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of nangibotide.MethodsTwenty‐seven healthy subjects (aged 18–45 years) were randomized into eight groups. Nangibotide was administered as a single continuous intravenous infusion. The first two groups received a single i.v. dose of 1 and 10 mg, respectively, over 15 min. Subsequent groups were randomized in a product : placebo ratio of 3:1 at doses ranging from 0.03 to 6 mg kg−1 h−1 over 7 h 45 min, preceded by a 15‐minute loading dose of up to 5 mg kg−1.ResultsNangibotide was safe and well tolerated up to the highest dose tested. There were only few adverse events and they were mild in severity and considered unrelated to treatment. Nangibotide displayed dose‐proportional PK properties, with a clearance of 6.6 l kg−1 h−1 for a subject of 70 kg and a 3 min effective half‐life, which are compatible with extensive enzymatic metabolism in blood. Central and peripheral volumes of distribution were 16.7 l and 15.9 l respectively, indicating limited distribution of the drug mainly in blood and interstitial fluid. No circulating anti‐drug antibodies were detectable up to 28 days after administration.ConclusionsThe novel immunomodulator nangibotide displayed favourable safety and PK profiles at all doses, including expected pharmacologically active doses, and warrants further clinical development.
Communication with children about sickle cell disease: A qualitative study of parent experience
Authors: Middleton Joanne , Calam Rachel , Ulph Fiona 
Published: June 2018

ObjectivesThis study aimed to explore how parents communicate with children affected by sickle cell disease, a condition associated with social and cultural complexities that pose risks to open parent–child communication.DesignA contextualist approach informed the qualitative exploration of parent experience using an individual interview design.MethodsTwelve semi‐structured interviews were conducted with parents whose child had a diagnosis of sickle cell disease. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using inductive thematic analysis.ResultsParental communication was aimed at educating and protecting children from the physical and emotional effects of SCD in an age appropriate way. Parents commonly described avoidant communication and a small number described using this as a more predominant approach. This appeared to relate to fears about SCD, stigma, and uncertainty about how to best to respond.ConclusionsAs a known mediator of child outcomes, communication offers a promising target for intervention. The findings of this study suggest that parents of children with SCD are likely to benefit from formal support to adapt their communication to their child's needs. Parenting interventions should, in future, include the SCD parent population as a specific group to benefit child outcomes.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Talking openly with children who have genetic conditions is known to promote acceptance and adjustment to illness. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic condition that is surrounded by various sociocultural issues that may act as barriers to parent–child communication. For example, it is condition that affects only Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups and is associated with longstanding stigma within BME communities due to the hereditary nature of the disease.

What does this study add?

It adds a unique focus on communication in the SCD parent population (previous work has tended to study this group alongside parents of various other genetic conditions).

The findings provide a rich insight into parent experience of communication with children about SCD.

It reveals that many parents find it difficult to talk openly with children and often avoid sensitive issues such as inheritance, physical limitations, and risk of death which has important implications for child coping and adjustment.

It is therefore recommended that health care services are designed to support parents with communication about SCD with their child.
The association between liver cirrhosis and fracture risk: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Liang Jie , Meng Wei‐Dong , Yang Jun‐Ming , Li Sheng‐Long , Zhong Mi‐Na , Hou Xuan‐Xuan , Wang Ran , Long Yu‐Ying , Bao Liang‐Xiao , Bao Ming 
Published: June 2018

SummaryObjectiveLiver cirrhosis (LC) was associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis; however, the association between LC and fracture risk was inconclusive. Therefore, this systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to explore the association between LC and fracture risk.DesignTo identify related literature, a systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science and the Cochrane Library from 1965 to July 2017 without language limitation was performed. The random‐effects model described by DerSimonian and Laird was used to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsEventually, 5 cohort and 3 case‐control studies were identified, which included 321 035 subjects and 31 272 fracture cases. The pooled OR of the association between LC and any fracture risk, hip fracture, spine/trunk fracture and limb fracture was 1.94 (95% CI, 1.59‐2.37), 2.11 (95% CI, 1.34‐3.32), 2.00 (95% CI, 1.50‐2.67) and 1.82 (95% CI, 1.65‐2.01), respectively.ConclusionIn conclusion, this study indicates that cirrhotic patients have an increased risk of fracture. Preventive measures should be instituted as early as possible.
Changes over time in hip fracture risk: Greater improvements in men compared to women
Authors: Smith Roger , Perera Buddhini K. , Chan Daniela W.C. 
Published: June 2018

SummaryPurposeThe aim of this study was to determine whether there has been a change in the mean age and age‐standardized incidence of minimal trauma hip fractures in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie population of Australia between 1998 and 2015.MethodPatients with neck of femur fractures over 50 who presented to the regional referral centre were retrospectively identified using the ICD‐9 and ICD‐10 coding system.ResultsThere were 233 and 308 eligible patients in 1998 and 2015, respectively. For females, the mean age for hip fracture of 83.2 years in 1998 was not significantly different from the mean age of 84.5 years in 2015 (P = .16). For males, the mean age for hip fracture was significantly older at 84.6 years in 2015 compared to 80.4 years in 1998 (P = .005). For females, the decrease in the rate of hip fracture from 1998 to 2015 was 13% and was weakly statistically significant (IRR = 0.86, P = .05). For males, there was a statistically significant decrease in the rate of hip fractures from 1998 to 2015 by 33% (IRR = 0.67, P = .001).ConclusionOur study shows a decrease in age‐standardized rates of hip fractures for men and women and suggests that men are demonstrating a greater improvement in bone health compared to women.
Direct Taxation and State–Society Relations in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Gatt Leah , Owen Oliver 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTExisting research suggests that external sources of finance, such as foreign aid and natural resource rents, allow states to generate revenue independently of their societies, disincentivizing them from forming close links with their citizens and severely problematizing the notion of a social contract. In Lagos, Nigeria's commercial capital, a series of personal income tax reforms have seen an increase in taxpayer compliance. Considering Lagosians’ perceptions of their relation with the state government, this study examines whether the state had to ‘earn’ its revenue by developing a closer relationship with its citizens, and whether citizens responded through a greater willingness to pay tax. It explores how citizens understand this relationship, what role they perceive themselves to fulfil, and what their expectations are for the future of state–society relations. The study shows how, through efforts to visibly link tax to service delivery, a social contract is emerging between Lagos State and its citizens — but that this relationship differs among groups, in that it is shaped by pre‐existing concepts of public organization and modes of political engagement.
Smallholder Adaptation to Drought in Costa Rica's Crony Capitalist Rice Economy
Authors: Warner Benjamin P. , Childers Daniel L. , Kuzdas Christopher , Stocks Gabriela 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTThis article advances theoretical understanding of exclusionary politics in rural locations through an institutional analysis of adaptation to climate change in Costa Rica's rice economy. It describes how crony capitalism evolved in state‐sponsored rural development as the national economy moved towards a new neoliberal model. Cronies reorganized rice production and re‐appropriated capital flows. As smallholder farmers were marginalized in the rice economy, their reliance on the state for irrigation water made them vulnerable to drought. As the state adapted its water allocation scheme to drought conditions, it determined who would profit and who would lose their livelihood. The authors use this analysis to argue that climate change adaptation is a normative process that may be used to justify coercion and control of specific classes of people. To understand this process, current adaptation frames must be broadened to include the organization of production and the appropriation and realization of capital flows. This broadening facilitates an understanding of how climate change adaptation strategies produce stratified class structures; some classes are made vulnerable to climate change while others profit. Breaking with the common refrain in much of the critical literature on neoliberal development, the authors argue that state responses to neoliberal change — not just neoliberal change itself — must be increasingly incorporated into critical development studies of rural transformations.
Iloprost infusion prevents the insulin‐induced reduction in skeletal muscle microvascular blood volume but does not enhance peripheral glucose uptake in type 2 diabetic patients
Authors: Emanuel Anna L. , de Clercq Nicolien C. , Koopen Annefleur M. , van Poelgeest Erik , Serlie Mireille J. M. , van Raalte Daniel H. , Kramer Mark H. H. , Nieuwdorp Max , Eringa Etto C. , Serné Erik H. 
Published: June 2018

AimsIn type 2 diabetes impaired insulin‐induced muscle perfusion is thought to contribute to reduced whole‐body glucose uptake. In this study, we examined the effects of iloprost, a stable prostacyclin analogue, on insulin‐induced muscle capillary recruitment and whole‐body glucose uptake.Materials and MethodsIn a randomized cross‐over design, 12 type 2 diabetes patients (age, 55 [46‐69] years; BMI, 33.1 [31.0‐39] kg/m2) underwent two hyperinsulinaemic‐euglycaemic clamps, one with and one without simultaneous low‐dose iloprost infusion. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasonography of the vastus lateralis muscle was performed before and during the clamp. Muscle capillary recruitment was calculated as percentage change in microvascular blood volume (MBV) before and during the clamp.ResultsInsulin infusion reduced skeletal muscle MBV by ~50% compared to the fasting state (fasting, 1.77·10−4 [1.54·10−5–2.44·10−3] arbitrary units (AU); hyperinsulinaemia, 6.69·10−5 [2.68·10−6–5.72·10−4] AU; P = 0.050). Infusion of iloprost prevented this insulin‐induced skeletal muscle capillary derecruitment, from (−49.5 [−89.5 to 55.3] %) to (8.0 [−68.8 to 306.6] %), for conditions without and with iloprost, respectively. The rate of glucose disappearance (Rd) did not change significantly during iloprost infusion (17.3 [10.0‐40.8] μmol/kg/min) compared with insulin infusion alone (17.6 [9.9‐68.7] μmol/kg/min).ConclusionsOur data suggest that acute improvement in insulin‐stimulated muscle perfusion is not an attractive therapeutic approach to bypass cellular resistance to glucose uptake in type 2 diabetes. Whether long‐term improvements in insulin‐induced muscle perfusion may prove beneficial for glucose disposal remains to be determined.