bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Echocardiographic features of right ventricular diverticulum: A case report
Authors: Wang Lihong , Cao Xiaoli , Xue Jie , Li Hongyan , Shi Lei , Men Yanming 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTRight ventricular diverticulum is a rare form of cardiac deformity, with a very few cases caused by pericarditis. A 60‐year‐old man sought medication because of chest congestion and shortness of breath. CT showed a soft tissue mass at the heart apex and pericardial calcification. Doppler echocardiography demonstrated a mixed cystic solid mass at the right ventricular apex. Surgical cure confirmed the diagnosis of right ventricular apex diverticulum with pericarditis. Echocardiography is contributive to the diagnosis of ventricular diverticula in measuring their size and showing the local thinning of the ventricular wall with localized bulging and abnormal motion. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 45:531–534, 2017
Effective deployment of public‐access automated external defibrillators to improve out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest outcomes
Authors: Nakahara Shinji , Sakamoto Tetsuya 
Published: May 2017

AbstractOut‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major health concern in Japan and other developed countries with aging populations. Improvements in OHCA outcomes require streamlining the chain of survival. Deployment of public‐access automated external defibrillators (PADs) and defibrillation by bystanders is one strategy that may streamline the chain by reducing the time to defibrillation in individuals with shockable rhythms. Although the effectiveness of PAD programs in increasing survival to discharge has been reported, there have been criticisms and concerns about the small population impact, cost‐effectiveness, and potential negative impact on those with nonshockable rhythms. This article reviews relevant literature regarding the effectiveness and concerns regarding PAD for OHCA.
Decreasing spatial variability of drought in southwest China during 1959–2013
Authors: Liu Meixian , Xu Xianli , Sun Alexander Y. , Wang Kelin 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTSouthwest (SW) China is a drought prone region. Knowledge of the risks and coupling characteristics of drought duration and severity is essential for hazards mitigation and water management. Based on probability distributions, copulas, Mann–Kendall test, overlapping moving windows approach and the self‐calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) at 69 stations (1959–2013), this study focused on the trends and spatial variability (SV) of (joint) probability drought duration and severity in SW China, and further investigated the potential contributors by analysing the behaviours of precipitation (P), temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), wind speed (WS), atmospheric moisture flux (MF) and divergence (MFD). In particular, the SV was represented by the standard deviation, the drought duration and severity were characterized by the number of months with PDSI < −0.5 in a year [drought months (DM)] and the absolute mean PDSI in drought months (DS), respectively. Results showed that, the DM, DS, DM5, DS5 (5‐year return levels for DM and DS) increased by 0.058 month year−2, 0.012 month−1 year−1, 0.039 month year−2, and 0.009 month−1 year−1, respectively, and the joint return period T(DM > 4, DS > 2) decreased by −0.20 year year−1. Furthermore, due to the decreasing SV in P, T, RH, WS, MF, and MFD, SV of DM5, DS5 and T(DM > 4, DS > 2) significantly decreased in the past decades, by −0.003 month year−2, −0.006 month−1 year−1 and −0.03 year year−1, respectively. These results indicated that drought risks and severity increased significantly in the past decades over SW China. Most importantly, the decreasing SV implied that drought risks and severity might have become more homogeneous in this region. In other words, droughts became more widely spread throughout SW China in the past decades. Therefore, water agencies and governments should be more proactive in seeking measures to improve water resources management and drought mitigation in this region.
Rainfall variability and trend analysis in coastal arid Ecuador
Authors: García‐Garizábal Iker 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTThe creation of baseline climate series is the first step towards the analysis of climate characteristics and behaviour in any region of the world. The objective of this article is to construct homogeneous precipitation series for the period 1982–2011, for the study of its spatial distribution and temporal evolution (dynamics) in the Province of Santa Elena, most occidental region of continental Ecuador. Data from 22 rainfall stations at the study location enabled the construction of five precipitation series using statistical and correlation techniques to complete information gaps. Precipitations present irregular temporal and spatial variation throughout the year, with a wet season between December and May. The December–January–February (DJF) and March–April–May (MAM) trimesters account for 59.7 and 39.1 of annual rainfall. The dry season, between June and November, presents almost zero rainfall. Small precipitations were also identified in coastal, topographically low areas, with precipitations more frequent events towards the continental region. Throughout the years, there has been high variability in precipitations, with the occurrence of wet‐dry episodes associated with the ‘El Niño–La Niña’ events, which were correlated with the sea surface temperature values of the Oceanic Niño Index. Trend analysis detected an average increase in rainfall of 2.1 mm year−1in the Province, however, the trimestral rates oscillated between 2.2 and 4.3 mm quart−1. The construction of these precipitation series has been an important step for the spatial‐temporal characterization of this peculiar tropical climate region that presents arid characteristics. These series can be applied to base scenarios for the development of climate studies and water resource management in the region.
Contribution of the tropical western Atlantic thermal conditions during the preceding winter to summer temperature anomalies over the lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin–Jiangnan region
Authors: Wang Huimei , Liu Ge , Chen Junming 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTUsing the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration extended reconstructed sea surface temperature (SST) data sets, we examine the preceding factors in the Atlantic Ocean contributing to summer high temperature anomalies over the lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin–Jiangnan (LRYB–JN) region. We find that summer LRYB–JN surface air temperature (SAT) anomalies are highly correlated with, and physically connected to, the preceding winter SST and SAT anomalies in the tropical western Atlantic (TWA) region [(10°–30°N, 60°–35°W) and (0°–10°N, 50°–35°W)]. The effect of preceding winter thermal conditions in the TWA region can be explained by the following two mechanisms. Coupled with SST, positive TWA SAT anomalies can persist from the preceding winter to summer and excite a zonal wave train at middle latitudes extending from the Atlantic to Eurasia, with a deep and stable high pressure anomaly centred over the LRYB–JN region. As a result, high temperature anomalies occur over the LRYB–JN region. In addition to the above mechanism, the TWA SST–SAT coupled anomalies also exert an impact on summer LRYB–JN SAT by modulating the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) SAT and SST variation, which causes summer LRYB–JN SAT anomalies. Given the contributions of TWA SAT anomalies, independent of and in concert with the TIO SAT variation, we define a preceding winter TWA–TIO SAT index, which measures the concurrent variation of TWA and TIO SATs. The preceding winter TWA–TIO index is more significantly correlated with the summer LRYB–JN SAT and therefore can reflect the latter better than the individual TWA or TIO SAT index.
Surface interpolation of environmental factors as tool for evaluation of the occurrence of high methane and nitrous oxide fluxes
Authors: Lengerer Andreas , Kazda Marian 
Published: May 2017

AbstractGreenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from wetlands typically exhibit extended low‐flux phases accompanied by distinct high‐flux events. Prediction and explanation of flux occurrence is hindered by various interactions of the underlying environmental predictors. Here, a novel approach is described to gain insight in patterns of environmental factors, which lead to elevated emissions. Natural neighbor interpolation was utilized to construct flux intensity maps based on two environmental predictors, the ground water level and soil temperature. Further, the effect of inhomogeneous data density was considered by filtering estimates for sufficient information content. The practical application was exemplified by CH4 and N2O flux field data of three years from two fen sites in southwest Germany. This approach considered factor interactions as well as the fluxes occurring as rare events. The application can be useful for the delineation of driving conditions for high‐flux events as well as for wetland management practice.
In vitro antifungal, probiotic, and antioxidant functional properties of a novel Lactobacillus paraplantarum isolated from fermented dates in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Arasu Mariadhas Valan , Al‐Dhabi Naif Abdullah 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDFermented foods produced using dates are used in Gulf countries as beneficial and healthful foods. The beneficial microbial flora in fermented dates contributes to maintaining the nutritional properties of dates by preventing the growth of spoilage fungi. Here, we examined the antifungal, probiotic, and antioxidant properties of the novel Lactobacillus strain D‐3 isolated from fermented dates.RESULTSAnalyzing the morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics of this strain demonstrated that it was similar to Lactobacillus species, and molecular‐level amplification of the 16S rRNA gene showed that it belonged to Lactobacillus paraplantarum. Under shake flask cultivation using date juice, the strain produced significant amounts of ethanol and lactic, succinic, and acetic acids. Purification of benzoic acid extracted from the extracellular fermentation medium was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared and mass spectral data revealed minimum inhibitory concentration values of 10, 20, 10, 5, and 10 mg mL−1 for Aspergillus fumigates, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporum, Gibberella moniliformis, and Penicillium chrysogenum, respectively. The strain showed several advantages, including the ability to survive under conditions similar to the gastrointestinal tract (low pH, bile salts, and antimicrobial susceptibility) and high levels of extracellular enzyme activities. The strain's growth patterns under various concentrations of H2O2 and its scavenging properties towards hydroxyl radical (64.85%) and DPPH (84.97%) were also interesting properties.CONCLUSIONThe antifungal, probiotic, and antioxidant properties of L. paraplantarum D3 may provide health benefits to consumers. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Para‐aortic lymphadenectomy can be omitted in most endometrial cancer patients at risk of lymph node metastasis
Authors: Baiocchi Glauco , Faloppa Carlos Chaves , Mantoan Henrique , Camarço Willian Ricardo , Badiglian‐Filho Levon , Kumagai Lillian Yuri , De Brot Louise , da Costa Alexandre Andre Balieiro Anastacio 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesTo determine the predictive factors of para‐aortic lymph node (PALN) metastasis in endometrial cancer (EC) and recommend a subgroup of patients who can safely forgo PALN dissection.MethodsWe analyzed a series of 255 patients who were at risk of lymph node metastasis and treated from June 2007 to June 2015. All patients underwent systematic pelvic and para‐aortic lymphadenectomy.ResultsThe median number of pelvic lymph nodes (PLN) and PALNs that were resected was 33 and 15, respectively. Fifty (19.6%) patients had LN metastasis—43 (16.9%) pelvic, 28 (11%) para‐aortic, 21 (8.2%) pelvic and para‐aortic, and 7 (2.7%) isolated PALN metastasis. PALN metastasis was significantly associated with PLN metastasis, the presence of lymphovascular space invasion, deep myometrial invasion (MI), and histological grade 3. In the multivariate analysis, only pelvic LN metastasis and deep MI remained independent risk factors of PALN metastasis. For patients without LN enlargement ± adnexal metastasis, when deep MI and PLN metastasis were absent, the risk of PALM was 0.8%.ConclusionsOur series supports that PALN metastasis is a rare event in the absence of PLN metastasis and that most patients can safely forego PALN dissection. This subgroup can be identified by the combined absence of PLN metastasis and deep MI.
Adapting coastal management to climate change: Mitigating our shrinking shorelines
Authors: Martin Scott A. , Rautsaw Rhett M. , Bolt Rebecca , Parkinson Christopher L. , Seigel Richard A. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTSea‐level rise due to climate change is a major threat to coastal ecosystems worldwide. Current management to reduce beach erosion often focuses on protecting human structures and research on effects on wildlife is lacking. Using a combination of hierarchical models and generalized linear models, we evaluated how the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) colonized constructed dunes along coastal scrub at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, central Florida, USA. Over 2 years, we surveyed tortoise populations along natural dunes and 2 constructed dunes (completed in 2012 and in 2014) and estimated tortoise density each summer and winter. Our models indicated that tortoise density along the 2014 dune was comparable to that of natural dunes ( = 0–8 tortoises/ha), and density peaked at a mean of 21 tortoises/ha along the 2012 constructed dune. Gopher tortoises rapidly colonized constructed dunes, and dune construction may represent effective management against habitat loss for this species. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
The feasibility of gamma radiation sterilization for decellularized tracheal grafts
Authors: Johnson Christopher M. , Guo DeHuang , Ryals Stephanie , Postma Gregory N. , Weinberger Paul M. 
Published: May 2017

Objectives/HypothesisThe most promising stem cell‐derived tracheal transplantation approach is dependent upon the use of decellularized tracheal grafts. It has been assumed that a sterilization step, such as gamma radiation, would damage the delicate extracellular matrix of the graft, thus rendering it less viable for cellular repopulation, although this has not been thoroughly investigated.Study DesignLaboratory‐based comparative analysis.MethodsFifteen murine tracheas of strain C57/B‐6 mice were obtained. Thirteen were subjected to a detergent‐enzymatic decellularization process. Of these decellularized tracheas (DT), eight were irradiated, exposing five tracheas to a radiation level of 25 kGy (DT25) and three to 5 kGy (DT5). Two were left untreated. The two untreated tracheas, two DTs, and two DT25s were prepared and examined using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Bioburden calculations were obtained from three DTs, three DT25s, and three DT5s by homogenization, serial dilution, and streak plating.ResultsElectron microscopy of untreated fresh tracheas and DTs showed a slight qualitative degradation of cartilage ultrastructure due to the decellularization process. In contrast, examination of DT25 shows significant degradation including poor overall preservation of cartilage architecture with disorganized collagen fibers. The nonirradiated DTs had a calculated bacterial bioburden of 7.8 × 107 to 3.4 × 108 colony‐forming units per gram. Both the DT25 and DT5 specimens were found to have a bioburden of zero.ConclusionsGamma radiation at 25 kGy degrades the architecture of decellularized tracheal grafts. These ultrastructural changes may prove detrimental to graft viability; however, bioburden calculations suggest that a 5 kGy radiation dose may be sufficient for sterilization.Level of EvidenceNA Laryngoscope, 127:E258–E264, 2017
Sialendoscopy‐assisted transfacial removal of parotid sialoliths: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Roland Lauren T. , Skillington S. Andrew , Ogden M. Allison 
Published: May 2017

ObjectiveTo review the literature and conduct a meta‐analysis to determine the effectiveness and safety of the combined endoscopic–transfacial approach for parotid sialolith management.Data SourcesPubMed 1946–, Embase 1947–, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Database of Abstracts of Review Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, clinicaltrials.gov, Proquest Dissertations and Theses, and FirstSearch Proceedings to March 2015.Review MethodsPublished prospective or retrospective English‐language studies with reported outcomes of more than one patient undergoing the combined endoscopic‐transfacial procedure for parotid sialolithiasis were included. Two independent authors screened all eligible studies and reviewed and extracted data from relevant publications. Weighted pooled proportions for stone removal, symptom improvement, gland preservation, and complications were calculated.ResultsTen studies, primarily retrospective single‐institution studies, were included in the final analysis, with a total of 184 patients. Overall, the procedure was noted to be successful with low risk; the weighted pooled proportions were 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.97 to 1.00) for stone removal, 0.97 (95% CI: 0.93 to 0.99) for symptom improvement, 1 (95% CI: 0.99 to 1.00) for gland preservation, and 0.06 (95% CI: 0.01 to 0.15) for complications.ConclusionsAlthough our analysis is primarily based on retrospective data, the evidence shown here suggests that the combined endoscopic–transfacial technique is an effective treatment for parotid gland sialolithiasis not amenable to intraoral or purely endoscopic removal. This approach results in high rates of symptom improvement and gland preservation. The complication rates are low, further supporting the use of this technique. Laryngoscope, 127:2510–2516, 2017
Automatic quantification of bone marrow edema on MRI of the wrist in patients with early arthritis: A feasibility study
Authors: Aizenberg Evgeni , Roex Edgar A.H. , Nieuwenhuis Wouter P. , Mangnus Lukas , van der Helm‐van Mil Annette H.M. , Reijnierse Monique , Bloem Johan L. , Lelieveldt Boudewijn P.F. , Stoel Berend C. 
Published: May 2017

PurposeTo investigate the feasibility of automatic quantification of bone marrow edema (BME) on MRI of the wrist in patients with early arthritis.MethodsFor 485 early arthritis patients (clinically confirmed arthritis of one or more joints, symptoms for less than 2 years), MR scans of the wrist were processed in three automatic stages. First, super‐resolution reconstruction was applied to fuse coronal and axial scans into a single high‐resolution 3D image. Next, the carpal bones were located and delineated using atlas‐based segmentation. Finally, the extent of BME within each bone was quantified by identifying image intensity values characteristic of BME by fuzzy clustering and measuring the fraction of voxels with these characteristic intensities within each bone. Correlation with visual BME scores was assessed through Pearson correlation coefficient.ResultsPearson correlation between quantitative and visual BME scores across 485 patients was r=0.83, P<0.001.ConclusionsQuantitative measurement of BME on MRI of the wrist has the potential to provide a feasible alternative to visual scoring. Complete automation requires automatic detection and compensation of acquisition artifacts. Magn Reson Med 79:1127–1134, 2018. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution‐NonCommercial‐NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non‐commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Unravelling urban–rural health disparities in England
Authors: Allan Rebecca , Williamson Paul , Kulu Hill 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPrevious research shows significant health and mortality variations by residential context. Numerous studies report better health and lower mortality among rural populations in comparison to urban residents, whereas other research shows the opposite, with poor health and high mortality in rural areas. This study investigates health variations in England by residential contexts and the causes of such differences. Further, it examines the sensitivity of results to different rural–urban classifications. Applying logistic regression models to individual‐level data from the 2001 UK census we demonstrate significant health variation by residential context. A clear urban–rural positive health gradient is apparent, with levels of ill health increasing parallel to levels of urbanisation. Briefly, people living in rural areas have better health than those living in cities and other urban contexts. However, the capital city (London) provides an exception to the gradient, with its inhabitants having better health than anticipated. Once we control for individual sociodemographic characteristics, including occupational status and educational level, the urban–rural health variations are reduced, but significant differences still persist. Most notably, Outer London residents have health expectations similar to those residing in the most rural locations. Clearly, our results support the existence of a positive urban–rural health gradient, with the exception of a protective “capital city” effect. These findings persist regardless of the precise urban–rural classification used. Finally we show that, having accounted for composition and the rural–urban context, there still remains a North–South divide in health outcomes.
Mourning dove period and annual survival in west‐central Missouri
Authors: Schulz John H. , Bian Yuanyuan , Gao Xiaoming , Mong Tony W. , Millspaugh Joshua J. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTWe examined annual and period survival for mourning doves (Zenaida macroura) in Missouri, USA, using birds captured and marked on public land intensively managed for dove hunting. During 2005–2008, we radiomarked and monitored 713 birds to estimate period survival and banded 826 to estimate annual survival. For all ages, sexes, and years combined, spring‐summer survival prior to hunting season was 0.447 (95% CI = 0.378–0.517) and overall period survival during May–October, including hunting season, was 0.252 (95% CI = 0.200–0.303). Mean annual survival for after‐hatch‐year (AHY) doves was 0.214 (95% CI = 0.053–0.569) and 0.041 (95% CI = 0.002–0.506) for hatch‐year (HY) doves; recovery rates were 0.165 (95% CI = 0.105–0.249) for AHY and 0.179 (95% CI = 0.121–0.256) for HY doves. Our longer monitoring period allowed for a more robust picture of survival showing relatively low annual survival with few doves living beyond one year and significant mortality occurring prior to and during the hunting season. Differences in period survival each year likely reflect local differences in habitat influenced by weather and associated farming and management on the study area to attract feeding doves. Our results suggest locally intensive harvest management practices may be negatively affecting local populations and warrant continued monitoring to ensure long‐term population sustainability. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.