bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The shift from plant–plant facilitation to competition under severe water deficit is spatially explicit
Authors: O'Brien Michael J. , Pugnaire Francisco I. , Armas Cristina , Rodríguez‐Echeverría Susana , Schöb Christian 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe stress‐gradient hypothesis predicts a higher frequency of facilitative interactions as resource limitation increases. Under severe resource limitation, it has been suggested that facilitation may revert to competition, and identifying the presence as well as determining the magnitude of this shift is important for predicting the effect of climate change on biodiversity and plant community dynamics. In this study, we perform a meta‐analysis to compare temporal differences of species diversity and productivity under a nurse plant (Retama sphaerocarpa) with varying annual rainfall quantity to test the effect of water limitation on facilitation. Furthermore, we assess spatial differences in the herbaceous community under nurse plants in situ during a year with below‐average rainfall. We found evidence that severe rainfall deficit reduced species diversity and plant productivity under nurse plants relative to open areas. Our results indicate that the switch from facilitation to competition in response to rainfall quantity is nonlinear. The magnitude of this switch depended on the aspect around the nurse plant. Hotter south aspects under nurse plants resulted in negative effects on beneficiary species, while the north aspect still showed facilitation. Combined, these results emphasize the importance of spatial heterogeneity under nurse plants for mediating species loss under reduced precipitation, as predicted by future climate change scenarios. However, the decreased water availability expected under climate change will likely reduce overall facilitation and limit the role of nurse plants as refugia, amplifying biodiversity loss.
The cost and cost trajectory of whole‐genome analysis guiding treatment of patients with advanced cancers
Authors: Weymann Deirdre , Laskin Janessa , Roscoe Robyn , Schrader Kasmintan A. , Chia Stephen , Yip Stephen , Cheung Winson Y. , Gelmon Karen A. , Karsan Aly , Renouf Daniel J. , Marra Marco , Regier Dean A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundLimited data exist on the real‐world costs of applying whole‐genome analysis (WGA) in a clinical setting. We estimated the costs of applying WGA to guide treatments for patients with advanced cancers and characterized how costs evolve over time.MethodsThe setting is the British Columbia Cancer Agency Personalized OncoGenomics (POG) program in British Columbia, Canada. Cost data were obtained for patients who enrolled in the program from 2012 to 2015. We estimated mean WGA costs using bootstrapping. We applied time series analysis and produced 10‐year forecasts to determine when costs are expected to reach critical thresholds.ResultsThe mean cost of WGA over the study period was CDN$34,886 per patient (95% CI: $34,051, $35,721). Over time, WGA costs decreased, driven by a reduction in costs of sequencing. Yet, costs of other components of WGA increased. Forecasting showed WGA costs may not reach critical thresholds within the next 10 years.ConclusionWGA costs decreased over the studied time horizon, but expenditures needed to realize WGA remain significant. Future research exploring costs and benefits of WGA‐guided cancer care are crucial to guide health policy.
Expression of cytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant suppresses tumor necrosis factor alpha expression and thereby prevents the follicles from undergoing atresia and apoptosis
Authors: Tanaka Yu , Kuwahara Akira , Ushigoe Kenjiro , Yano Yuya , Taniguchi Yuka , Yamamoto Yuri , Matsuzaki Toshiya , Yasui Toshiyuki , Irahara Minoru 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAimCytokine‐induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC/gro) is a CXC family chemokine, similar to interleukin‐8 in rats, and is one of the factors that regulates ovulation. However, the mechanism that regulates atresia of the ovaries postovulation is not clearly defined.MethodsWhether antibody‐blocking of CINC/gro can alter the number of ovulated oocytes and modulate neutrophil infiltration was investigated. The effect of the antibody on the level of inflammatory cytokine production and follicular atresia was examined. Apoptosis was measured by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method and via analysis of the messenger RNA expression of Bcl‐2 and Bcl2‐associated X (Bax).ResultsThe anti‐CINC/gro antibody treatment decreased the number of ovulated oocytes. The messenger RNA levels of cyclooxygenase‐2 and interleukin‐1 beta were decreased by the antibody treatment, whereas that of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha was increased. The TUNEL analysis revealed a larger number of apoptotic cells in the antibody group, compared with those in the control group, as well as a significant increase in the Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio 24 hours after human chorionic gonadotropin administration.ConclusionThese findings suggest that ovulation is accelerated by neutrophil infiltration into the theca layer. The CINC/gro appears to synergize with interleukin‐1 beta for ovulation. By contrast, the data suggest that CINC/gro expression suppresses TNF alpha expression and that CINC/gro expression therefore prevents the follicles from undergoing atresia and apoptosis.
The Impact of Anastomotic Leakage on Anal Function Following Intersphincteric Resection
Authors: Yokota Mitsuru , Ito Masaaki , Nishizawa Yuji , Kobayashi Akihiro , Saito Norio 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundData regarding anastomotic leakage (AL) following intersphincteric resection (ISR) are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the effect of AL on anal function in a retrospective review of patients who developed AL following ISR.MethodsWe evaluated 341 consecutive patients who underwent ISR between 2000 and 2012. Patients were classified into three groups: anastomotic dehiscence (AD), major AL (Clavien–Dindo grade III+), or control (<grade III or no AL). Functional assessment was performed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after defecation through the preserved anus, and the Wexner score was calculated.ResultsAmong patients who underwent ISR for low rectal cancer (anal verge, 3.7 ± 1.3 cm), 59 (17%) developed AL. Of these, 13 patients were classified as AD and 36 as major AL. The rate of the 3‐year stomal reversal was significantly lower in the major AL (78.6%) and AD groups (61.5%) than in the control group (88.7%; p < 0.01). Furthermore, the anastomotic stricture rate was higher in the AL and AD groups than in the controls (16.7 and 38.5 vs. 1.8%, respectively; p < 0.01). Wexner scores in the major AL group were poor during the early period, but were similar to the control group at the 2‐year follow‐up. In contrast, Wexner scores in the AD group remained high, even after 2 years.ConclusionsPatients with major AL following ISR had poor anal function that recovered over 2 years, as long as AD was not present. These findings suggest that patients with major AL require a long‐term follow‐up for anal function.
Information Mismatch: Cancer Risk Counseling with Diverse Underserved Patients
Authors: Joseph Galen , Pasick Rena J. , Schillinger Dean , Luce Judith , Guerra Claudia , Cheng Janice Ka Yan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAs genetics and genomics become part of mainstream Medicine, these advances have the potential to reduce or exacerbate health disparities. Gaps in effective communication (where all parties share the same meaning) are widely recognized as a major contributor to health disparities. The purpose of this study was to examine GC‐patient communication in real time, to assess its effectiveness from the patient perspective, and then to pilot intervention strategies to improve the communication. We observed 64 English‐, 35 Spanish‐ and 25 Chinese‐speaking (n= 124) public hospital patients and 10 GCs in 170 GC appointments, and interviewed 49 patients who were offered testing using the audio recordings to stimulate recall and probe specific aspects of the communication. Data analyses were conducted using grounded theory methods and revealed a fundamental mismatch between the information provided by GCs and the information desired and meaningful to patients. Several components of the communication that contributed to this mismatch and often resulted in ineffective communication included: (1) too much information; (2) complex terminology and conceptually difficult presentation of information; (3) information perceived as not relevant by the patient; (4) unintentional inhibition of patient engagement and question‐asking; (5) vague discussions of screening and prevention recommendations. Our findings indicate a need to transform the standard model of genetic counseling communication using evidence‐based principles and strategies from other fields of Medicine. The high rates of limited health literacy in the US, increasing access of diverse populations to genetic services, and growing complexity of genetic information have created a perfect storm. If not directly addressed, this convergence is likely to exacerbate health disparities in the genomic age.
Acidic Heavy Oil Recovery Using a New Formulated Surfactant Accompanying Alkali–Polymer in High Salinity Brines
Authors: Dehghan Ali Akbar , Jadaly Adel , Ayatollahi Shahab , Masihi Mohsen 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe strength of a newly formulated surfactant with an alkali and polymer (AS/ASP) to improve an acidic heavy oil recovery was laboratory evaluated by various flooding experiments. The comparative role of the parameters like chemical nature, surface wettability, salinity, temperature and injection scheme were explored at high temperature and pressure on Berea sandstone rocks. According to the results the anionic surfactant is capable of providing proper oil displacement under high salinity conditions around 15 wt%. Continuous monitoring of differential pressure response and effluents’ state clearly represented the formation of an emulsified oil in high saline solutions with both alkali and surfactant. Adding sodium metaborate to the surfactant solution reduced the interfacial tension (IFT) to ultra low values and decreased the surfactant emulsion generation capability at higher salinities. Besides, adding Flopaam AN113SH to the chemical slug increased the residual oil removal owing to lower mobility ratios. So, while high capillary number and an emulsion phase were generated by the A/S slug phases, adding polymer could further enhance the performance of these chemicals. On the other hand, chemical flooding through the oil‐wet medium resulted in shorter break through time, lower differential pressure, finer emulsion formation, and lower oil recovery in comparison to the similar water‐wet cases.
Mystery of the brain metastatic disease in breast cancer patients: improved patient stratification, disease prediction and targeted prevention on the horizon?
Authors: Polivka Jiri , Kralickova Milena , Polivka Jiri , Kaiser Christina , Kuhn Walther , Golubnitschaja Olga 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe breast cancer (BC) diagnosis currently experiences the epidemic evolution with more than half of million deaths each year. Despite screening programmes applied and treatments available, breast cancer patients frequently develop distant metastases. The brain is one of the predominant sites of the metastatic spread recorded for more than 20% of BC patients, in contrast to the general population, where brain tumours are rarely diagnosed. Although highly clinically relevant, the brain tumour mystery in the cohort of breast cancer patients has not been yet adequately explained. This review summarises currently available information on the risk factors predicting brain metastases in BC patients to motivate the relevant scientific areas to explore the data/facts available and elucidate disease-specific mechanisms that are of a great clinical utility.
Amino acid PET and MR perfusion imaging in brain tumours
Authors: Filss Christian P. , Cicone Francesco , Shah Nadim Jon , Galldiks Norbert , Langen Karl-Josef 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

Purpose
Despite the excellent capacity of the conventional MRI to image brain tumours, problems remain in answering a number of critical diagnostic questions. To overcome these diagnostic shortcomings, PET using radiolabeled amino acids and perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) are currently under clinical evaluation. The role of amino acid PET and PWI in different diagnostic challenges in brain tumours is controversial.

Methods
Based on the literature and experience of our centres in correlative imaging with PWI and PET using O-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosine or 3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]-fluoro-l-phenylalanine, the current role and shortcomings of amino acid PET and PWI in different diagnostic challenges in brain tumours are reviewed. Literature searches were performed on PubMed, and additional literature was retrieved from the reference lists of identified articles. In particular, all studies in which amino acid PET was directly compared with PWI were included.

Results
PWI is more readily available, but requires substantial expertise and is more sensitive to artifacts than amino acid PET. At initial diagnosis, PWI and amino acid PET can help to define a site for biopsy but amino acid PET appears to be more powerful to define the tumor extent. Both methods are helpful to differentiate progression or recurrence from unspecific posttherapeutic changes. Assessment of therapeutic efficacy can be achieved especially with amino acid PET, while the data with PWI are sparse.

Conclusion
Both PWI and amino acid PET add valuable diagnostic information to the conventional MRI in the assessment of patients with brain tumours, but further studies are necessary to explore the complementary nature of these two methods.
Minimaliser les dépendances Aʹ : résomptifs vs lacunes
Authors: Pan Victor Junnan 
Published: March 2017

RésuméCet article étudie la dérivation de deux types de dépendances Aʹ – les relatives et les structures à dislocation à gauche – dans le cadre du programme minimaliste. Le mandarin montre qu'une relative contenant soit un pronom résomptif soit une lacune et une dislocation à lacune sont dérivées par l'opération Accorder et sont soumises aux contraintes de localité et qu'une dislocation résomptive est dérivée parMatchsans conditions d’îlot. «Transferts multiples» et « épellations multiples » sont légitimés dans les dépendances établies par Accorder mais pas dans celles dérivées parMatch. Le choix du mécanisme dérivationnel dépend de l'interprétabilité des traits formels attachés à la sonde ainsi qu’à la cible dans une dépendance Aʹ.
Does my posterior look big in this? The effect of photographic distortion on morphometric analyses
Authors: Collins Katie S. , Gazley Michael F. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMost geometric morphometric studies are underpinned by sets of photographs of specimens. The camera lens distorts the images it takes, and the extent of the distortion will depend on factors such as the make and model of the lens and camera and user-controlled variation such as the zoom of the lens. Any study that uses populations of geometric data digitized from photographs will have shape variation introduced into the data set simply by the photographic process. We illustrate the nature and magnitude of this error using a 30-specimen data set of Recent New Zealand Mactridae (Mollusca: Bivalvia), using only a single camera and camera lens with four different photographic setups. We then illustrate the use of retrodeformation in Adobe Photoshop and test the magnitude of the variation in the data set using multivariate Procrustes analysis of variance. The effect of photographic method on the variance in the data set is significant, systematic, and predictable and, if not accounted for, could lead to misleading results, suggest clustering of specimens in ordinations that has no biological basis, or induce artificial oversplitting of taxa. Recommendations to minimize and quantify distortion include: (1) that studies avoid mixing data sets from different cameras, lenses, or photographic setups; (2) that studies avoid placing specimens or scale bars near the edges of the photographs; (3) that the same camera settings are maintained (as much as practical) for every image in a data set; (4) that care is taken when using full-frame cameras; and (5) that a reference grid is used to correct for or quantify distortion.
Subjective measures of health and all-cause mortality – the Rotterdam Study
Authors: Sajjad A. , Freak-Poli R. L. , Hofman A. , Roza S. J. , Ikram M. A. , Tiemeier H. 
Published: March 2017

BackgroundSubjectively assessed health is related to mortality. Various subjective indicators of health have been studied, but it is unclear whether perceived physical functioning or mental health best accounts for the relation with mortality.MethodWe studied the relation of subjective measures of health with all-cause mortality in 5538 participants of age 55 to 96 years at baseline from the Rotterdam Study. Various instruments of subjectively assessed health were used, that included basic activities of daily living (BADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), quality of life (QoL), positive affect, somatic symptoms and negative affect. All participants completed questionnaires for each subjective measure of health and were followed for mortality for a mean of 12.2 (s.e. = 0.09) years. Cox regression analysis was conducted in the total sample.ResultsIn this cohort, 2021 persons died during 48 534 person-years of follow-up. All measures of subjective health were related to mortality after adjusting for age, gender, education, cognition, prevalent chronic diseases and cardiovascular risk [BADL hazard ratio (HR, calculated per Z-score) = 1.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29–1.41; IADL HR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.22–1.32; QoL HR = 0.85, 95% CI 0.81–0.89; positive affect HR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.88–0.96; somatic symptoms HR = 1.11, 95% CI 1.06–1.16; and negative affect HR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.01–1.10]. In the mutually adjusted model, only BADL (HR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.16–1.32) and IADL (HR = 1.10, 95% CI 1.04–1.17) remained independently associated with mortality.ConclusionsMeasures of subjectively assessed health are important indicators of mortality. Our study shows that of the different measures of subjective health, perceived physical health predicts mortality over and above mental health. Conversely, the association between mental health and mortality may partly be explained by poor perceived physical health.
The potential of protected areas to halt deforestation in Ecuador
Authors: VAN DER HOEK YNTZE 
Published: March 2017

SUMMARYEcuador, a country with nearly unparalleled levels of biodiversity and endemism, has one of the highest deforestation rates of South America. I examined whether governmentally protected areas in Ecuador have been effective at reducing deforestation. After estimating deforestation rates from existing land cover change data for 2000 to 2008, I used a matching approach to compare the rates of forest loss inside and outside protected areas, which corrected for geographic biases in the locations of protected areas. I tested for the effects of protected area age, size and level of protection on the rate of deforestation using generalized linear models. Governmentally protected areas still experienced deforestation – with no apparent effect of age, size and level of protection – of nearly 10,000 ha per year, but deforestation rates were lower inside compared to outside protected areas. Governmental protection led to the avoidance of additional deforestation of 2600–7800 ha of natural forest per year. Actions to mitigate deforestation in Ecuador are of global importance and as such it is promising that protected areas can help diminish deforestation, although the effectiveness of Ecuador's protected areas can still be improved upon.
The Case of specialqui
Authors: MACKENZIE IAN 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTFeature Inheritance (Richards 2007) entails that uninterpretable features originate on the phase head C orv* and are then transferred to the associated Agree head, T or V. In the present article, it is argued that the Frenchque–quialternation is the locus of a Case contrast, implying that nominative Case originates on the complementiser and only becomes associated with T as a consequence of feature transfer.Que–quithus provides new, Case-based empirical support for the theory of Feature Inheritance. The article also suggests that theque–quialternation has an important implication for Chomsky's recent application of dynamic antisymmetry, reinterpreted in terms of labelling, to the issue of subject extraction failure. Specifically, the alternation appears to indicate that Case-matching is required, in addition to phi-feature agreement, in order for extraction to be blocked by labelling.
The Total Inotrope Exposure Score: an extension of the Vasoactive Inotrope Score as a predictor of adverse outcomes after paediatric cardiac surgery
Authors: Bangalore Harish , Gaies Michael , Ocampo Elena C. , Heinle Jeffrey S. , Guffey Danielle , Minard Charles G. , Checchia Paul , Shekerdemian Lara S. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to explore and compare the association between a new vasoactive score – the Total Inotrope Exposure Score – and outcome and the established Vasoactive Inotrope Score in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypassDesignThe present study was a single-centre, retrospective study.SettingThe study was carried out at a 21-bed cardiovascular ICU in a Tertiary Children’s Hospital between September, 2010 and May, 2011MethodsThe Total Inotrope Exposure Score is a new vasoactive score that brings together cumulative vasoactive drug exposure and incorporates dose adjustments over time. The performance of these scores – average, maximum Vasoactive Inotrope Score at 24 and 48 hours, and Total Inotrope Exposure Score – to predict primary clinical outcomes – either death, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation before hospital discharge – and secondary outcomes – length of invasive mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and hospital stay – was calculated.Main resultsThe study cohort included 167 children under 18 years of age, with 37 (22.2%) neonates and 65 (41.3%) infants aged between 1 month and 1 year. The Total Inotrope Exposure Score best predicted the primary outcome (six of 167 cases) with an unadjusted odds ratio for a poor outcome of 42 (4.8, 369.6). Although the area under curve was higher than other scores, this difference did not reach statistical significance. The Total Inotrope Exposure Score best predicted prolonged invasive mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and hospital stay as compared with the other scores.ConclusionThe Total Inotrope Exposure Score appears to have a good association with poor postoperative outcomes and warrants prospective validation across larger numbers of patients across institutions.