bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In utero myelomeningocoele repair and urological outcomes: the first 100 cases of a prospective analysis. Is there an improvement in bladder function?
Authors: Macedo Antonio , Ottoni Sergio Leite , Garrone Gilmar , Liguori Riberto , Cavalheiro Sergio , Moron Antonio , Leal Da Cruz Marcela 
Published: December 2018

ObjectivesTo evaluate the first 100 cases of in utero myelomeningocoele (MMC) repair and urological outcomes in a prospective analysis aiming to define possible improvement in bladder function.Patients and methodsWe used a protocol consisting of a detailed medical history, urinary tract ultrasonography, voiding cystourethrography, and urodynamic evaluation. Patients were categorised into four groups: normal, high risk (overactive bladder with a detrusor leak‐point pressure >40 cm H2O and high filling pressures also >40 cm H2O), incontinent, and underactivity (underactive bladder with post‐void residual urine), and patients were treated accordingly.ResultsWe evaluated 100 patients, at a mean age of 5.8 months (median 4 months), classified as high risk in 52.6%, incontinent in 27.4%, with underactive bladder in 4.2%, and only 14.7% had a normal bladder profile. Clean intermittent catheterisation was initiated in 57.3% of the patients and anticholinergics in 52.6%. Antibiotic prophylaxis was initiated in 19.1% of the patients presenting with vesico‐ureteric reflux.ConclusionThe high incidence of abnormal bladder patterns suggests little benefit of in utero MMC surgery concerning the urinary tract.
Unparalleled disjunction or unexpected relationships? Molecular phylogeny and biogeography of Melanopsidae (Caenogastropoda: Cerithioidea), with the description of a new family and a new genus from the ancient continent Zealandia
Authors: Neiber Marco T. , Glaubrecht Matthias 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMelanopsidae are an important component of the freshwater fauna of the subtropical to temperate regions of the Western Palaearctic and also are reported from Zealandia, representing an unparalleled disjunction among a group of freshwater animals. We sequenced markers for species of all constituent genera covering the entire range of the group. Our phylogenetic analyses indicate that Melanopsidae are only monophyletic when excluding Holandriana from the Balkans, which was found to be more closely related to Pleuroceridae (eastern North America) and Semisuclospiridae (western North America and eastern Asia) than to the remaining melanopsids. It is, therefore, placed in the previously proposed family Amphimelaniidae. Zemelanopsis from New Zealand and Caledomelanella gen.n. from New Caledonia were recovered as a deeply divergent clade, here suggested to represent Zemelanopsidae fam.n. as the sister group of Melanopsidae s.s. The genus Microcolpia, including M. daudebartii and the extinct M. parreyssii, was recovered as a moderately well‐supported sister group of Melanopsis s.s., which comprises three distinct lineages: one from the western Mediterranean region, a second from the eastern Mediterranean region and the Near to Middle East, and a third from thermal springs in Tuscany. Although the Italian populations show little variability, both the eastern and western Melanopsis clades exhibit a high degree of variation in shell form and/or sculpture. Whether this is indicative of more than a species pair each (M. praemorsa/cariosa and M. buccinoidea/costata) within the eastern and western clade, respectively, or the result of parallel evolution currently cannot be answered with certainty. Distinct populations were not recovered as monophyletic clades in some cases, which may indicate incomplete reproductive isolation. We compare the timeframe for the evolution of major “melanopsid” lineages with geological events, and elucidate scenarios that may have shaped the distribution patterns observed today.
Magnetic resonance imaging in enterovirus‐71, myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody, aquaporin‐4 antibody, and multiple sclerosis‐associated myelitis in children
Authors: Tantsis Esther M , Prelog Kristina , Alper Gulay , Benson Leslie , Gorman Mark , Lim Ming , Mohammad Shekeeb S , Ramanathan Sudarshini , Brilot Fabienne , Dale Russell C ,   Paediatric Myelitis Mri Study Group
Published: December 2018

AimWe used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the neuroimaging of children with their first episode of clinical enterovirus 71‐associated transverse myelitis (EV71‐TM), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody positive transverse myelitis (MOG‐TM), aquaporin‐4 antibody positive transverse myelitis (AQP4‐TM), transverse myelitis in multiple sclerosis (MS‐TM), and unclassified transverse myelitis (UNC‐TM).MethodWe performed a retrospective blinded radiological assessment and compared the neuroimaging of 52 children (32 females, 20 males; mean age 9y 8mo, SD 5y 5mo, range 5mo–17y) presenting with their first episode of myelitis caused by EV71‐TM (n=11), MOG‐TM (n=10), AQP4‐TM (n=9), MS‐TM (n=13), and UNC‐TM (n=9).ResultsIn the EV71‐TM group, lesions were distributed throughout the cord and enhancement of nerve roots (ventral and dorsal) was common. The MOG‐TM group had lesions distributed throughout the cord and most commonly longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis and lesions involving the grey matter alone on axial scans. The AQP4‐TM group had lesions distributed in the cervicothoracic spine, cavitation, and contrast enhancing lesions. All patients with AQP4‐TM had an abnormal brain MRI scan. The MS‐TM group characteristically had multiple short segment lesions of the cord involving the cervicothoracic spine. The UNC‐TM group did not have distinctive spinal MRI findings but had a relative paucity of lesions on their brain MRI scans.InterpretationThere are neuroimaging findings that are helpful in differentiating between myelitis associated with EV71, MOG, AQP4, and multiple sclerosis in children. These features may be useful early in the presentation of transverse myelitis while awaiting infectious/immunological testing, and/or further demyelinating events.What this paper adds

Magnetic resonance imaging can help identify aetiologies for children presenting with a first episode of myelitis.

Entervirus‐71‐associated myelitis lesions are distributed throughout the cord and enhancement of nerve roots is common.

Lesions distributed throughout the cord are commonly seen in myelin oligodendrocyte‐associated myelitis.

Aquaporin‐4‐associated myelitis lesions are distributed in the cervicothoracic spine, cavitation and contrast enhancing lesions are common.

Short segment lesions in the cervicothoracic spine are commonly seen in multiple sclerosis‐associated myelitis.
Comparative evidence supports a role for reproductive allocation in the evolution of female ornament diversity
Authors: Hunter Frederick D.L. , Bussière Luc F. 
Published: December 2018

1. Sexually selected ornaments are highly variable, even among closely related species, and the ultimate causes of variation in ornament evolution are unclear, including in rare cases of female ornament expression. One hypothesis is that differences across species in female reproductive allocation may help to explain patterns of female ornament expression among insects with nuptial gifts.2. Dance flies (Diptera: Empididae: Empidinae) vary considerably among species in the presence and extravagance of female ornaments, which probably evolved through female contests for mates. In most dance flies, adult females appear to acquire all their dietary protein from nuptial gifts provided by males during mating. The importance of nuptial feeding on egg development is not yet known.3. To test the prediction that the presence of female ornaments reflects differences in the degree to which females rely on nuptial feeding for egg development, egg development was examined in wild females of two species, one ornamented and the other unornamented. An ageing technique based on cuticular bands was validated, which permitted a regression of egg size on adult age.4. We found that egg development depended on mating status in the ornamented species alone, meaning the eggs of unmated females of the ornamented species did not develop. This contrast across species is consistent with expectations that females of different species vary in their dependence on nuptial gifts for egg development.5. These findings provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that differences in reproductive allocation mediate the intensity of female contests for nuptial gifts.
Hymenoscyphus pusillus, a new species on leaves ofFraxinus pennsylvanicain Poland
Authors: Kowalski Tadeusz , Bilański Piotr 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAmerican green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) is among the most widely distributed ash species in North America. In the 18th century, it was introduced to Europe where it is used for ornamental purposes or for timber production. None of the currently knownHymenoscyphusspecies has been found onF. pennsylvanicain North America.Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, the cause of ongoing ash dieback epidemics, occurs onF. pennsylvanicain Europe but this species seems to show some degree of tolerance to the pathogen. A new species,Hymenoscyphus pusillus, detected inF. pennsylvanicaleaf litter in Poland is presented. The description is based on morphological and molecular studies.Hymenoscyphus pusillusproduces, in summer, whitish apothecia developing on black pseudosclerotia formed in petioles, rachises and leaf veins, in the litter of the previous year's leaf fall. The new species differs fromH. fraxineusin its smaller apothecia (up to 2.3 mm in diam.), absence of croziers at the ascus base, formation of superficial pseudosclerotia in the form of strips or isolated insular black areas on the thicker regions of rachises and petioles and rapidity of pseudosclerotia formation (6–8 weeks after leaf fall). The sizes of asci and ascospores ofH. pusillusare similar to those ofHymenoscyphus linearisand smaller than those of other species in theH. fraxineusgroup. Optimal temperature for growth ofH. pusillusin vitro is 20°C. The fungus does not produce an anamorph, distinguishing it fromH. fraxineus,H. linearisandHymenoscyphus occultus, which frequently formChalara‐like anamorphs. Analyses of sequence data for ITS rDNA and protein‐coding genes (partial actin, CAL and TEF1‐α) showed thatH. pusillusforms a well‐supported clade in the phylogenetic trees.Hymenoscyphus pusillusis closely related toH. occultus, detected onF. chinensissubs.rhynchophyllain Korea. After inclusion of the new species, theH. fraxineusgroup now consists of seven species. Some ecological and trophic aspects concerning the occurrence of the new species are discussed. The possibility of competition betweenH. pusillusandH. fraxineusis discussed.
Its all about connections: hubs and invasion in habitat networks
Authors: Morel‐Journel Thibaut , Assa Claire Rais , Mailleret Ludovic , Vercken Elodie 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDuring the early stages of invasion, the interaction between the features of the invaded landscape, notably its spatial structure, and the internal dynamics of an introduced population has a crucial impact on establishment and spread. By approximating introduction areas as networks of patches linked by dispersal, we characterised their spatial structure with specific metrics and tested their impact on two essential steps of the invasion process: establishment and spread. By combining simulations with experimental introductions of Trichogramma chilonis (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) in artificial laboratory microcosms, we demonstrated that spread was hindered by clusters and accelerated by hubs but was also affected by small‐population mechanisms prevalent for invasions, such as Allee effects. Establishment was also affected by demographic mechanisms, in interaction with network metrics. These results highlight the importance of considering the demography of invaders as well as the structure of the invaded area to predict the outcome of invasions.
Running on empty: recharge dynamics from animal movement data
Authors: Hooten Mevin B. , Scharf Henry R. , Morales Juan M. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractVital rates such as survival and recruitment have always been important in the study of population and community ecology. At the individual level, physiological processes such as energetics are critical in understanding biomechanics and movement ecology and also scale up to influence food webs and trophic cascades. Although vital rates and population‐level characteristics are tied with individual‐level animal movement, most statistical models for telemetry data are not equipped to provide inference about these relationships because they lack the explicit, mechanistic connection to physiological dynamics. We present a framework for modelling telemetry data that explicitly includes an aggregated physiological process associated with decision making and movement in heterogeneous environments. Our framework accommodates a wide range of movement and physiological process specifications. We illustrate a specific model formulation in continuous‐time to provide direct inference about gains and losses associated with physiological processes based on movement. Our approach can also be extended to accommodate auxiliary data when available. We demonstrate our model to infer mountain lion (Puma concolor; in Colorado, USA) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer; in Kruger National Park, South Africa) recharge dynamics.
Seizures as presenting symptom in patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Dührsen Lasse , Sauvigny Thomas , Ricklefs Franz L. , Mende Klaus‐Christian , Schaper Miriam , Matschke Jakob , Goebell Einar , Westphal Manfred , Martens Tobias 
Published: December 2018

SummaryObjectiveThe clinical course and underlying molecular causes in patients with glioblastoma presenting with seizures are poorly understood. Here we investigated clinical features and carrier systems as well as a transaminase relevant in glutamate homeostasis in patients with glioblastoma.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of our clinical glioma database for clinical data during a 2‐year period. Patients with glioblastoma were divided into 2 groups: symptomatic and asymptomatic for seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and tissue samples from both groups were investigated. A Cox regression analysis was performed for survival and clinical and molecular features.ResultsOne hundred three patients diagnosed with glioblastoma in this period were identified. Twenty‐three patients were symptomatic with seizures (22.3%). All were IDH‐1/2 wild‐type. We found no significant difference in the tumor localization between the groups. Patients with seizures from glioblastoma had significantly smaller tumors, which caused less edema compared to nonepileptogenic tumors. A significantly increased up‐regulation of glutamate carrier systems was evident in symptomatic tumors compared to asymptomatic tumors. Moreover, there seems to be an oversupply of glutamate in symptomatic tumors due to dysregulation in glutamate synthesis.SignificanceGlioblastoma presenting with seizures is morphologically different from asymptomatic tumors. Furthermore, we were able to show that the molecular profile of these tumors, particularly glutamate homeostasis controlling systems, is significantly different.
Evolutionary agroecology: Trends in root architecture during wheat breeding
Authors: Zhu Yong‐He , Weiner Jacob , Yu Ming‐Xi , Li Feng‐Min 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRoot system characteristics determine soil space exploration and resource acquisition, and these characteristics include competitive traits that increase individual fitness but reduce population performance. We hypothesize that crop breeding for increased yield is often a form of “group selection” that reduces such “selfish” traits to increase population yield. To study trends in root architecture resulting from plant breeding and test the hypothesis that increased yields result in part from group selection on root traits, we investigated root growth and branching behavior in a historical sequence of wheat (Triticum aestivum) cultivars that have been widely grown in northwestern China. Plants were grown in gel‐filled chambers to examine growth angles, numbers, and lengths of seminal roots, and in soil‐filled chambers under eight soil resource levels for fractal analysis of root system architecture. Yield in field was evaluated at standard and low planting densities. Newer cultivars produced higher yields than older ones only at the higher sowing density, showing that increased yield results from changes in competitive behavior. Seminal root number and growth angles were negatively correlated with yield, while primary seminal root length was positively correlated with yield. Roots of higher‐yielding modern varieties were simpler and less branched, grew deeper but spread less laterally than modern varieties. The fractal dimension of root branching was negatively correlated with the yield of cultivars at all resource levels. Root:shoot ratio was negatively correlated with yield under high soil resource levels. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the success of wheat breeding for higher yields over past 100 years in northwestern China has been in part due to unconscious group selection on root traits, resulting in smaller, less branched, and deeper roots, suggesting a direction for further increases in crop yield in the future.
Rapid change in host specificity in a field population of the biological control organism Pasteuria penetrans
Authors: Liu Chang , Gibson Amanda Kyle , Timper Patricia , Morran Levi T. , Tubbs R. Scott 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn biological control, populations of both the biological control agent and the pest have the potential to evolve and even to coevolve. This feature marks the most powerful and unpredictable aspect of biological control strategies. In particular, evolutionary change in host specificity of the biological control agent could increase or decrease its efficacy. Here, we tested for change in host specificity in a field population of the biological control organism Pasteuria penetrans. Pasteuria penetrans is an obligate parasite of the plant parasitic nematodes Meloidogyne spp., which are major agricultural pests. From 2013 through 2016, we collected yearly samples of P. penetrans from eight plots in a field infested with M. arenaria. Plots were planted either with peanut (Arachis hypogaea) or with a rotation of peanut and soybean (Glycine max). To detect temporal change in host specificity, we tested P. penetrans samples annually for their ability to attach to (and thereby infect) four clonal lines of M. arenaria. After controlling for temporal variation in parasite abundance, we found that P. penetrans from each of the eight plots showed temporal variation in their attachment specificity to the clonal host lines. The trajectories of change in host specificity were largely unique to each plot. This result suggests that local forces, at the level of individual plots, drive change in specificity. We hypothesize that coevolution with local M. arenaria hosts may be one such force. Lastly, we observed an overall reduction in attachment rate with samples from rotation plots relative to samples from peanut plots. This result may reflect lower abundance of P. penetrans under crop rotation, potentially due to suppressed density of host nematodes. As a whole, the results show local change in specificity on a yearly basis, consistent with evolution of a biological control organism in its ability to infect and suppress its target pest.
Auto‐adaptive multiblock cycle jump algorithm for fatigue damage simulation of long‐span steel bridges
Authors: Sun Bin , Xu You‐Lin , Zhu Qing , Li Zhaoxia 
Published: December 2018

AbstractAn algorithm is developed for fatigue damage evolution simulation of long‐span steel bridges based on continuum damage mechanics (CDM) in this study. The progressive fatigue damage from local component damage evolution to entire structural failure is simulated with nonstandard varying block cycle length, which is automatically obtained during computation to speed up fatigue evolution simulation without user intervention. In this paper, progressive fatigue damage evolution of the Stonecutters cable‐stayed bridge due to vehicle loading is simulated by using the proposed algorithm and the bridge model. It shows that the algorithm is effective, and it can improve the computational efficiency of fatigue damage simulation of a large‐scale steel bridge.
Projected changes in wind assistance under climate change for nocturnally migrating bird populations
Authors: La Sorte Frank A. , Horton Kyle G. , Nilsson Cecilia , Dokter Adriaan M. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCurrent climate models and observations indicate that atmospheric circulation is being affected by global climate change. To assess how these changes may affect nocturnally migrating bird populations, we need to determine how current patterns of wind assistance at migration altitudes will be enhanced or reduced under future atmospheric conditions. Here, we use information compiled from 143 weather surveillance radars stations within the contiguous United States to estimate the daily altitude, density, and direction of nocturnal migration during the spring and autumn. We intersected this information with wind projections to estimate how wind assistance is expected to change during this century at current migration altitudes. The prevailing westerlies at midlatitudes are projected to increase in strength during spring migration and decrease in strength to a lesser degree during autumn migration. Southerly winds will increase in strength across the continent during both spring and autumn migration, with the strongest gains occurring in the center of the continent. Wind assistance is projected to increase across the central (0.44 m/s; 10.1%) and eastern portions of the continent (0.32 m/s; 9.6%) during spring migration, and wind assistance is projected to decrease within the central (0.32 m/s; 19.3%) and eastern portions of the continent (0.17 m/s; 6.6%) during autumn migration. Thus, across a broad portion of the continent where migration intensity is greatest, the efficiency of nocturnal migration is projected to increase in the spring and decrease in the autumn, potentially affecting time and energy expenditures for many migratory bird species. These findings highlight the importance of placing climate change projections within a relevant ecological context informed through empirical observations, and the need to consider the possibility that climate change may generate both positive and negative implications for natural systems.