bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, the Spatial Peaks QRS‐T Angle Identifies Those With Sustained Ventricular Arrhythmias
Authors: Cortez Daniel , Graw Sharon , Mestroni Luisa 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe spatial peaks QRS‐T (SPQRS‐T) angle differentiates hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients from controls. Increased angle confers arrhythmia risk in other populations.HypothesisWe predict that the SPQRS‐T angle will identify HCM patients with sustained ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and those with New York Heart Association class III/IV heart failure.MethodsCorrected QT interval, QRS duration, and SPQRS‐T angle were assessed in HCM patients with VAs (>30 seconds) and those without VAs.ResultsOne hundred HCM patients (mean age, 32.7 ± 17.2 years) were assessed. Twenty patients had VAs. The corrected QT interval identified VA (P = 0.018) and at 460 ms gave positive and negative predictive values of 28.6% and 83.3%, respectively, and an odds ratio of 2.0 (95% confidence interval: 0.7‐5.6). The SPQRS‐T angle differentiated VA from no VA (P < 0.001) and at 124.1 degrees gave positive and negative predictive values and an odds ratio of 36.7%, 96.1%, and 14.2 (95% confidence interval: 3.1‐65.6), respectively.ConclusionsThe SPQRS‐T angle best differentiated patients with VAs.
Association of Physical Fitness With the Risk of Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhu Wengen , Shen Yang , Zhou Qiongqiong , Xu Zhenyan , Huang Lin , Chen Qi , Hong Kui 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTSeveral studies have investigated the role of physical fitness in atrial fibrillation (AF), but the results remain controversial. We aimed to estimate the association between physical fitness and risk of AF. We comprehensively retrieved data from the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and Embase databases until February 29, 2016, for studies evaluating the association of physical fitness with the risk of AF. Data were abstracted from included studies, and effect estimates were pooled using a random‐effects model. Six studies with a total of 205 094 participants and 15 919 AF cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. When physical fitness was assessed as a continuous variable, per incremental increase of physical fitness was associated with a 9% reduced risk of AF (risk ratio [RR]: 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84‐1.00, P = 0.05). When physical fitness was assessed as a categorical variable, the risk of AF was significantly reduced (RR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.28‐0.91, P = 0.02) in individuals with the highest level of physical fitness compared with those with the lowest level. The intermediate vs the lowest level of physical fitness was associated with a 28% reduced risk of AF (RR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.56‐0.93, P = 0.01). The sensitivity analysis indicated that these results were stable. Notably, there was evidence of statistical heterogeneity across studies; therefore, we should interpret the results cautiously. In conclusion, published literature supports that a higher level of physical fitness is associated with a lower risk of AF. Further studies should be performed to confirm these findings.
The value of a transformation zone component in anal cytology to detect HSIL
Authors: Roberts Jennifer M. , Jin Fengyi , Thurloe Julia K. , Ekman Deborah , Adams Marjorie K. , McDonald Ross L. , Biro Clare , Poynten I. Mary , Grulich Andrew E. , Farnsworth Annabelle ,   on behalf of The Study of the Prevention of Anal Cancer (SPANC) Study Team
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUNDIn a cytology‐based screening program intended to prevent anal cancer, the anal transformation zone (TZ) should be adequately sampled because it is the site most susceptible to the development of the cancer precursor, high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). An adequate TZ component is defined as comprising at least 10 rectal columnar or squamous metaplastic cells. In the current study, the authors examined whether the presence of a TZ component in anal cytology correlated with the detection of histological HSIL.METHODSIn a natural history study of anal human papillomavirus infection in homosexual men, all participants underwent liquid‐based cytology and high‐resolution anoscopy (HRA) with or without biopsy at each visit. True‐negative cytology (negative cytology with non‐HSIL biopsy or negative HRA), false‐negative cytology (negative cytology with HSIL biopsy), and true‐positive cytology (abnormal cytology with HSIL biopsy) were compared with regard to the presence or absence of a TZ component.RESULTSOf 617 participants, baseline results included 155 true‐positive results, 191 true‐negative results, and 31 false‐negative results. The absence of an adequate TZ component was found to be significantly higher for false‐negative (32.3%) than for either true‐positive (11.0%; P = .0034) or true‐negative (13.1%; P = .0089) results.CONCLUSIONSSignificantly more false‐negative cases lacked a TZ component compared with either true‐positive or true‐negative cases. TZ cells may be an important indicator of sample quality for anal cytology because, unlike cervical sampling, the anal canal is not visualized during cytology sampling. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:596‐601. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Quantitative phase imaging to improve the diagnostic accuracy of urine cytology
Authors: Pham Hoa V. , Pantanowitz Liron , Liu Yang 
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUNDA definitive diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma in urine cytology is often challenging and subjective. Many urine cytology samples receive an indeterminate diagnosis. Ancillary techniques such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) have been used to improve the diagnostic sensitivity, but FISH is not approved as a routine screening test, and the complex fluorescent staining protocol also limits its widespread clinical use. Quantitative phase imaging (QPI) is an emerging technology allowing accurate measurements of the single‐cell dry mass. This study was undertaken to explore the ability of QPI to improve the diagnostic accuracy of urine cytology for malignancy.METHODSQPI was performed on unstained, ThinPrep‐prepared urine cytology slides from 28 patients with 4 categories of cytological diagnoses (negative, atypical, suspicious, and positive for malignancy). The nuclear/cell dry mass, the entropy, and the nucleus‐to‐cell mass ratio were calculated for several hundred cells for each patient, and they were then correlated with the follow‐up diagnoses.RESULTSThe nuclear mass and nuclear mass entropy of urothelial cells showed significant differences between negative and positive groups. These data showed a progressive increase from patients with negative diagnosis, to patients with atypical/suspicious and positive cytologic diagnosis. Most importantly, among the patients in the atypical and suspicious diagnosis, the nuclear mass and its entropy were significantly higher for those patients with a follow‐up diagnosis of malignancy than those patients without a subsequent follow‐up diagnosis of malignancy.CONCLUSIONSQPI shows potential for improving the diagnostic accuracy of urine cytology, especially for indeterminate cases, and should be further evaluated as an ancillary test for urine cytology. Cancer Cytopathol 2016;124:641–50. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Analyzing Quantum Correlations Made Simple
Authors: Dornheim T. , Thomsen H. , Ludwig P. , Filinov A. , Bonitz M. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe understanding of correlations in degenerate nonideal many‐particle systems is complex and theoretically challenging. Using the recently proposed permutation blocking path integral Monte Carlo (PB‐PIMC) scheme, which allows for an exact treatment of many‐body correlations, we study the influence of quantum statistics in a confined few‐particle Coulomb (quantum dot) system. As a versatile tool to gain insight into the internal structure of correlated many‐body systems, the application of triple correlation functions is extended to quantum systems. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Monte Carlo Simulation of Partially Ionized Hydrogen Plasmas
Authors: Cordes C. , Bornath Th. , Redmer R. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractA Monte Carlo code has been developed for the interaction of initially neutral systems with intense ultra‐short laser pulses. Photoionization creates immediately a partially ionized, non‐equilibrium plasma for which the relevant scattering processes are included. In this way the absorption of the laser energy in the plasma and the evolution of the non‐equilibrium electron distribution function during the laser pulse is described. Furthermore, the relaxation into an equilibrium state can be studied for longer time scales. As an example we consider the interaction of a cold liquid hydrogen jet with intense, ultra‐short free electron laser pulses in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range. The corresponding spectrum of the Thomson self‐scattering is calculated using the non‐equilibrium electron distribution functions extracted from the Monte Carlo simulations. We compare with benchmarking experiments performed at the free electron laser facility FLASH. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Linking metacommunity paradigms to spatial coexistence mechanisms
Authors: Shoemaker Lauren G. , Melbourne Brett A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractFour metacommunity paradigms—usually called neutral, species sorting, mass effects, and patch dynamics, respectively—are widely used for empirical and theoretical studies of spatial community dynamics. The paradigm framework highlights key ecological mechanisms operating in metacommunities, such as dispersal limitation, competition‐colonization tradeoffs, or species equivalencies. However, differences in coexistence mechanisms between the paradigms and in situations with combined influences of multiple paradigms are not well understood. Here, we create a common model for competitive metacommunities, with unique parameterizations for each metacommunity paradigm and for scenarios with multiple paradigms operating simultaneously. We derive analytical expressions for the strength of Chesson's spatial coexistence mechanisms and quantify these for each paradigm via simulation. For our model, fitness–density covariance, a concentration effect measuring the importance of intraspecific aggregation of individuals, is the dominant coexistence mechanism in all three niche‐based metacommunity paradigms. Increased dispersal between patches erodes intraspecific aggregation, leading to lower coexistence strength in the mass effects paradigm compared to species sorting. Our analysis demonstrates the potential importance of aggregation of individuals (fitness–density covariance) over co‐variation in abiotic environments and competition between species (the storage effect), as fitness–density covariance can be stronger than the storage effect and is the sole stabilizing mechanism in the patch dynamics paradigm. As expected, stable coexistence does not occur in the neutral paradigm, which requires species to be equal and emphasizes the role of stochasticity. We show that stochasticity also plays an important role in niche‐structured metacommunities by altering coexistence strength. We conclude that Chesson's spatial coexistence mechanisms provide a flexible framework for comparing metacommunities of varying complexity.
A multifunctional chemical cue drives opposing demographic processes and structures ecological communities
Authors: Zimmer Richard K. , Ferrier Graham A. , Kim Steven J. , Kaddis Catherine S. , Zimmer Cheryl Ann , Loo Joseph A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractFoundation species provide critical resources to ecological community members and are key determinants of biodiversity. The barnacle Balanus glandula is one such species and dominates space among the higher reaches of wave‐swept shores (Northeastern Pacific Ocean). This animal produces a cuticular glycoprotein (named “MULTIFUNCin”) of 199.6 kDa, and following secretion, a 390 kDa homodimer in native form. From field and lab experiments, we found that MULTIFUNCin significantly induces habitat selection by conspecific larvae, while simultaneously acting as a potent feeding stimulant to a major barnacle predator (whelk, Acanthinucella spirata). Promoting immigration via settlement on the one hand, and death via predation on the other, MULTIFUNCin drives opposing demographic processes toward structuring predator and prey populations. As shown here, a single compound is not restricted to a lone species interaction or sole ecological function. Complex biotic interactions therefore can be shaped by simple chemosensory systems and depend on the multifunctional properties of select bioactive proteins.
Controls on carbon storage and weathering in volcanic soils across a high‐elevation climate gradient on Mauna Kea, Hawaii
Authors: Kramer Marc G. , Chadwick Oliver A. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractVolcanic ash soils retain the largest and most persistent soil carbon pools of any ecosystem. However, the mechanisms governing soil carbon accumulation and weathering during initial phases of ecosystem development are not well understood. We examined soil organic matter dynamics and soil development across a high‐altitude (3,560–3,030 m) 20‐kyr climate gradient on Mauna Kea in Hawaii. Four elevation sites were selected (~250–500 mm rainfall), which range from sparsely vegetated to sites that contain a mix of shrubs and grasses. At each site, two or three pits were dug and major diagnostic horizons down to bedrock (intact lava) were sampled. Soils were analyzed for particle size, organic C and N, soil pH, exchangeable cations, base saturation, NaF pH, phosphorous sorption, and major elements. Mass loss and pedogenic metal accumulation (hydroxlamine Fe, Al, and Si extractions) were used to measure extent of weathering, leaching, changes in soil mineralogy and carbon accumulation. Reactive‐phase (SRO) minerals show a general trend of increasing abundance with increasing rainfall. However carbon accumulation patterns across the climate gradient are largely decoupled from these trends. The results suggest that after 20 kyr, pedogenic processes have altered the nature and composition of the volcanic ash such that it is capable of retaining soil C even where organic acid influences from plant material and leaching from rainfall are severely limited. Carbon storage comparisons with lower‐elevation soils on Mauna Kea and other moist mesic (2,500 mm rainfall) sites on Hawaii suggest that these soils have reached only between 1% and 15% of their capacity to retain carbon. Our results suggest that, after 20 kyr in low rainfall and a cold climate, weathering was decoupled from soil carbon accumulation patterns and the associated influence of vegetation on soil development. Overall, we conclude that the rate of carbon supply to the subsoil (driven by coupling of rainfall above ground plant production) is a governing factor of forms and amount of soil organic matter accumulation, while soil mineralogy remained relatively uniform.
Foliar damage beyond species distributions is partly explained by distance dependent interactions with natural enemies
Authors: Katz Daniel S. W. , Ibáñez Inés 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPlant distributions are expected to shift in response to climate change, and range expansion dynamics will be shaped by the performance of individuals at the colonizing front. These plants will encounter new biotic communities beyond their range edges, and the net outcome of these encounters could profoundly affect colonization success. However, little is known about how biotic interactions vary across range edges and this has hindered efforts to predict changes in species distributions in response to climate change. In contrast, a rich literature documents how biotic interactions within species ranges vary according to distance to and density of conspecific individuals. Here, we test whether this framework can be extended to explain how biotic interactions differ beyond range edges, where conspecific adults are basically absent. To do so, we planted seven species of trees along a 450‐km latitudinal gradient that crossed the current distributional range of five of these species and monitored foliar disease and invertebrate herbivory over 5 yr. Foliar disease and herbivory were analyzed as a function of distance to and density of conspecific and congeneric trees at several spatial scales. We found that within species ranges foliar disease was lower for seedlings that were farther from conspecific adults for Acer rubrum, Carya glabra, Quercus alba, and Robinia pseudoacacia. Beyond range edges, there was even less foliar disease for C. glabra, Q. alba, and R. pseudoacacia (A. rubrum was not planted outside its range). Liriodendron tulipifera did not experience reduced disease within or beyond its range. In contrast, Quercus velutina displayed significant but idiosyncratic patterns in disease at varying distances from conspecifics. Patterns of distance dependent herbivory across spatial scales was generally weak and in some cases negative (i.e., seedlings farther from conspecific adults had more herbivory). Overall, we conclude that differences in biotic interactions across range edges can be thought of as a spatial extension to the concept of distance dependent biotic interactions. This framework also provides the basis for general predictions of how distance dependent biotic interactions will change across range edges in other systems.
Physiological influence of silica on germinating pollen as shown by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Joester Maike , Seifert Stephan , Emmerling Franziska , Kneipp Janina 
Published: May 2016

The process of silicification in plants and the biochemical effects of silica in plant tissues are largely unknown. To study the molecular changes occurring in growing cells that are exposed to higher than normal concentration of silicic acid, Raman spectra of germinating pollen grains of three species (Pinus nigra, Picea omorika, and Camellia japonica) were analyzed in a multivariate classification approach that takes into account the variation of biochemical composition due to species, plant tissue structure, and germination condition. The results of principal component analyses of the Raman spectra indicate differences in the utilization of stored lipids, a changed mobilization of storage carbohydrates in the pollen grain bodies, and altered composition and/or structure of cellulose of the developing pollen tube cell walls. These biochemical changes vary in the different species.
magnified image
CX3CR1 polymorphisms associated with an increased risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip in human
Authors: Li Lianyong , Wang Xi , Zhao Qun , Wang Enbo , Wang Lili , Cheng Jinshan , Zhang Lijun , Wang Binbin 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTDevelopmental dysplasia of the hip, also termed congenital hip dislocation, is one of the major causes of children disability and early onset osteoarthritis. Previous study has identified a variant of CX3CR1 underlying this disorder in a large family. However, genetic evidence from population was still lacking. Here, we performed a case‐control association study by genotyping two SNPs of CX3CR1, rs3732378, and rs3732379, in 689 unrelated hip dislocation patients and 689 normal controls. Genotyping results showed significant difference in genotype distributions of both two polymorphisms (p = 0.003 for rs3732378 and p = 0.017 for rs3732379). The minor allele frequency of rs3732378 was higher in cases (4.79%) than in controls (2.47%), predisposing carriers to hip dislocation with a 2.25‐fold risk (OR = 2.25, 95%CI 1.42–3.56) after adjustment for gender. Another SNP, rs3732379, was also significantly associated with an increased risk of hip dislocation (adjusted OR = 1.84, 95%CI 1.19–2.84). Through the population study, we demonstrated that CX3CR1 was candidate for the pathogenesis of the disorder, and identified rs3732378 and rs3732379 as susceptibility loci instead of disease‐causing mutations. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:377–380, 2017.
Image analysis‐based modelling for flower number estimation in grapevine
Authors: Millan Borja , Aquino Arturo , Diago Maria P , Tardaguila Javier 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBACKGROUNDGrapevine flower number per inflorescence provides valuable information that can be used for assessing yield. Considerable research has been conducted at developing a technological tool, based on image analysis and predictive modelling. However, the behaviour of variety‐independent predictive models and yield prediction capabilities on a wide set of varieties has never been evaluated.RESULTSInflorescence images from 11 grapevine Vitis vinifera L. varieties were acquired under field conditions. The flower number per inflorescence and the flower number visible in the images were calculated manually, and automatically using an image analysis algorithm. These datasets were used to calibrate and evaluate the behaviour of two linear (single‐variable and multivariable) and a nonlinear variety‐independent model. As a result, the integrated tool composed of the image analysis algorithm and the nonlinear approach showed the highest performance and robustness (RPD = 8.32, RMSE = 37.1). The yield estimation capabilities of the flower number in conjunction with fruit set rate (R2 = 0.79) and average berry weight (R2 = 0.91) were also tested.CONCLUSIONThis study proves the accuracy of flower number per inflorescence estimation using an image analysis algorithm and a nonlinear model that is generally applicable to different grapevine varieties. This provides a fast, non‐invasive and reliable tool for estimation of yield at harvest. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Complete cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for colorectal peritoneal metastasis in Norway: Prognostic factors and oncologic outcome in a national patient cohort
Authors: Frøysnes Ida S. , Larsen Stein G. , Spasojevic Milan , Dueland Svein , Flatmark Kjersti 
Published: May 2016

Background and ObjectivesCytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) can offer long‐term survival to patients with resectable peritoneal metastasis (PM) from colorectal cancer (CRC), a condition with otherwise dismal prognosis. This study describes short‐ and long‐term outcome in a national patient cohort and aims to identify prognostic factors.MethodsAll patients treated with CRS‐HIPEC for non‐appendiceal PM‐CRC in Norway 2004–2013 were included (n = 119), and outcome and potential prognostic factors were examined using survival‐ and ROC‐curve analysis.ResultsFive‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) were 36% and 14%, respectively, with 45 months median follow‐up. The only factor associated with OS in multivariable analysis was peritoneal cancer index (PCI), with HR 1.05 (1.01–1.09) for every increase in PCI‐score (P = 0.015). Peritoneal relapse was associated with shorter OS than distant metastasis (P = 0.002). ROC‐curves identified PCI > 12 as a marker with 100% specificity for prediction of disease relapse. Severe postoperative complications (Clavien–Dindo ≥ 3) occurred in 15% of patients and there was no 100‐day mortality.ConclusionsLong‐term outcome was in line with published results, morbidity was acceptable and there was no 100‐day mortality. The results reemphasize CRS‐HIPEC as an important treatment option in PM‐CRC, with particularly good results in patients with PCI < 12. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;114:222–227. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.