bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ecosystem vs. community recovery 25 years after grass invasions and fire in a subtropical woodland
Authors: D'Antonio Carla M. , Yelenik Stephanie G. , Mack Michelle C. 
Published: October 2017

Summary

Despite a large body of research documenting invasive plant impacts, few studies have followed individual invaded sites over decades to observe how they change, and none have contrasted how compositional impacts from invasion compare to ecosystem‐process impacts over a multi‐decadal time‐scale.

Using direct measurements of plant density and composition and of ecosystems processes, we evaluate how ecosystem structure, above‐ground net primary production (ANPP), and above‐ground and soil nutrient pools compare over 25 years since fire and C4 grass invasions disrupted seasonally dry Hawaiian woodlands. We compare structure and function between primary woodland that has never burned and is largely native species‐dominated, with sites that had been the same woodland type but burned in alien‐grass‐fuelled fires in the 1970s and 1980s. The sites have not experienced fires since 1987.

We report here that woody plant composition and structure continue to be dramatically changed by the initial invasions and fires that occurred 25 years ago and invaders continue to dominate in burned sites. This is reflected in continued low plant carbon pools in burned compared to unburned sites. Yet ANPP and N storage, which were dramatically lower in the initial decade after invasive‐grass fuelled fires, have increased and are now indistinguishable from values measured in intact woodlands. Soil carbon pools were resilient to both invasion and fire initially and over time.

Above‐ground net primary production has recovered because of invasion of burned sites by a non‐native N‐fixing tree rather than because of recovery of native species. This invasive N‐fixing tree is unlikely to return C storage of the invaded sites to those of unburned woodland because of its tissue and growth characteristics and its interactions with invasive grasses. It does not facilitate native species but rather promotes a persistent invasive grass/N‐fixer savanna.

Synthesis. We conclude that fire, an unusual disturbance in this system, has perpetuated the dominance of these sites by invasive species and that despite the dramatic recovery of above‐ground net primary production and N pools, the ecosystem continues to be in a distinctly different state than the pre‐fire, pre‐Melinis community. Thus, despite the absence of further disturbance (fire), there is no evidence that succession towards the original ecosystem is occurring. The fact that N pools and above‐ground net primary production recover because of a new invader (Morella faya), highlights the unpredictability of ecosystem trajectories in the face of altered regional species pools.
Alternative pathways to landscape transformation: invasive grasses, burn severity and fire frequency in arid ecosystems
Authors: Klinger Rob , Brooks Matt 
Published: October 2017

Summary

Arid ecosystems are often vulnerable to transformation to invasive‐dominated states following fire, but data on persistence of these states are sparse. The grass/fire cycle is a feedback process between invasive annual grasses and fire frequency that often leads to the formation of alternative vegetation states dominated by the invasive grasses. However, other components of fire regimes, such as burn severity, also have the potential to produce long‐term vegetation transformations. Our goal was to evaluate the influence of both fire frequency and burn severity on the transformation of woody‐dominated communities to communities dominated by invasive grasses in major elevation zones of the Mojave Desert of western North America.

We used a chronosequence design to collect data on herbaceous and woody cover at 229 unburned reference plots and 578 plots that burned between 1972 and 2010. We stratified the plots by elevation zone (low, mid, high), fire frequency (1–3 times) and years post‐fire (YPF; 1–5, 6–10, 11–20 and 21–40 YPF). Burn severity for each plot was estimated by the difference normalized burn ratio.

We identified two broad post‐fire successional pathways. One was an outcome of fire frequency, resulting in a strong potential transformation via the grass/fire cycle. The second pathway was driven by burn severity, the critical aspect being that long‐term transformation of a community could occur from just one fire in areas that burned at high or sometimes moderate severity. Dominance by invasive grasses was most likely to occur in low‐and high‐elevation communities; cover of native herbaceous species was often greater than that of invasive grasses in the mid‐elevation zone.

Synthesis. Invasive grasses can dominate a site that burned only one time in many decades at high severity, or a site that burned at low severity but multiple times in the same time period. However, high burn severity may predispose areas to more frequent fire because they have relatively high cover of invasive annual grass, suggesting burn severity and fire frequency have both independent and synergistic effects. Resilience in vegetation structure following fire in many arid communities may be limited to a narrow window of low burn severity in areas that have not burned in many decades.
Long‐term dynamics and impacts of plant invasions
Authors: D'Antonio Carla , Flory S. Luke 
Published: October 2017

Summary

Hundreds of studies have evaluated the dynamics of plant invasions and their impacts on native plant communities and ecosystem functions, but most are limited in duration to only one or a few years. As such, we have a poor understanding of how invader dynamics and impacts change over time.

This special feature presents six studies that use literature reviews, field studies and experiments to examine long‐term patterns in invader effects on species, communities and ecosystems. All studies in the special feature focus on data collected over multiple years and two studies provide data that cover multiple decades.

One study provides a review and framework for understanding how invaders impact plant–mycorrhiza mutualisms and two studies focus on long‐term ecosystem changes in response to invasion and fire. The next two studies examine how invaders respond to successional change and climate conditions over time, and the final study shows that invaders can shift selection regimes and the evolutionary trajectory of native plant populations.

Synthesis. Articles in this special feature demonstrate changes in the dynamics of invasive plant populations and their community and ecosystem impacts over time. Together they illustrate that findings from a snapshot in time may poorly describe years‐long outcomes of invasions, and they highlight the need for long‐term studies of biological invasions.
Far‐red light promotes biofilm formation in the cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina
Authors: Hernández‐Prieto Miguel A. , Li Yaqiong , Postier Bradley L. , Blankenship Robert E. , Chen Min 
Published: October 2017

SummaryLight quantity and quality promotes ecological‐niche differentiation of photosynthetic organisms. The existence of cyanobacteria capable of performing photosynthesis using red‐shifted chlorophylls, chlorophyll d and f, reduces competition between species in light‐limiting environments, and permits them to thrive in niches enriched in far‐red light. We examined global transcriptome changes due to changing the culture light conditions in Acaryochloris marina, a chlorophyll d‐containing cyanobacterium. We identified the functional category of ‘photosynthesis’ as the most down‐regulated and the category of ‘cell wall/membrane biogenesis’ as the most up‐regulated through a functional enrichment analysis of genes differentially expressed. Within the category of ‘cell wall/membrane biogenesis’, genes encoding glycosysltransferases accumulated the most in response to far‐red light. Further experimental results confirmed that cells grown under far‐red light form biofilms with a significantly increased adherence compared to cells grown under white light. Taken together, these results indicate that Acaryochloris marina shifts its lifestyle from a planktonic state under white light to an immobilized state under far‐red light.
Partner smoking influences whether mothers quit smoking during pregnancy: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Román‐Gálvez RM , Amezcua‐Prieto C , Olmedo‐Requena R , Lewis‐Mikhael Saad AM , Martínez‐Galiano JM , Bueno‐Cavanillas A 
Published: October 2017

ObjectiveTo analyse the prevalence and intensity of smoking among pregnant women and their partners, and factors associated with quitting smoking among pregnant women.DesignA prospective cohort study, starting in 2013.SettingAndalusia, the south of Spain.SampleA cohort of 486 healthy pregnant women followed‐up on three occasions during pregnancy.MethodsEstimation of the proportions of women and partners who quit smoking at each trimester.Main outcome measuresTo determine factors associated in a multivariable model, considering sociodemographic, obstetric, anthropometric, lifestyle variables, and the smoking habits of their partners.ResultsA high proportion of women quit smoking during pregnancy (61.08%; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 53.61–68.55%). The smoking rate amongst mothers decreased from 36.06% (n = 167) before pregnancy to 14.08% (n = 65), 12.39% (n = 54), and 11.92% (n = 51) during the three pregnancy trimesters (P < 0.001), and consumption decreased from 8.71 cigarettes/day in the first trimester to 5.51 cigarettes/day in the second trimester (P < 0.001) and 5.96 cigarettes/day in third trimester (P = 0.0002 first versus third trimester). There was only a minimal decrease in the frequency of smoking among the partners, however: 38.44% (n = 178) before pregnancy, and 36.07% (n = 167), 32.72% (n = 143), and 31.85% (n = 136) during the three trimesters of pregnancy. The consumption of cigarettes did not decrease among partners: 11.75, 11.67, and 12.09 cigarettes/day (P = 0.4299 first versus second trimester; P = 0.654 first versus third trimester). Women whose partner smoked were less likely to quit (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 0.26; 95% CI 0.12–0.55).ConclusionsAbout one in ten pregnant women smoked and one in four was a passive smoker. Strategies to reduce tobacco exposure in pregnancy should include a focus on partner smoking.Tweetable abstractPregnant women quit smoking cigarettes in pregnancy. What about their partners?
Comparing Serial, and Choice Task Stated and Inferred Attribute Non‐Attendance Methods in Food Choice Experiments
Authors: Caputo Vincenzina , Van Loo Ellen J. , Scarpa Riccardo , Nayga Rodolfo M. , Verbeke Wim 
Published: October 2017

AbstractA number of choice experiment (CE) studies have shown that survey respondents employ heuristics such as attribute non‐attendance (ANA) while evaluating food products. This paper addresses a set of related methodological questions using empirical consumer data from a CE on poultry meat with sustainability labels. First, it assesses whether there are differences in terms of marginal willingness to pay estimates between the two most common ways of collecting stated ANA (serial and choice task level). Second, it validates the self‐reported ANA behaviour across both approaches. Third, it explores the concordance of stated methods with that of the inferred method. Results show that WTP estimates from serial‐level data differ from those from choice task‐level data. Also, self‐reported measures on choice task ANA are found to be more congruent with model estimates than those for serial ANA, as well as with inferred ANA.
Distribution and diversity of begomoviruses in tomato and sweet pepper plants in Costa Rica
Authors: Barboza N. , Blanco‐Meneses M. , Esker P. , Moriones E. , Inoue‐Nagata A.K. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBegomoviruses (genus Begomovirus, family Geminiviridae) have emerged as important plant pathogens in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Although these viruses were reported during the 1970s in Costa Rica, they are still poorly known. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyse the diversity and distribution of begomoviruses in commercial tomato and sweet pepper fields from different agricultural production systems of the major growing regions of Costa Rica. A total of 651 plants were randomly sampled from greenhouses and open field crops during 2011 and 2012 in three different geographical locations. The bipartite begomoviruses Tomato yellow mottle virus, Tomato leaf curl Sinaloa virus and Pepper golden mosaic virus, and the monopartite begomovirus Tomato yellow leaf curl virus were detected in the collected samples. The complete genome of isolates from each species was cloned and sequenced. The frequency of detection of these four begomoviruses in the analysed samples ranged from 0 to 9%, the presence, and the prevalent virus varied largely according to the geographical location, the host (tomato and pepper), and the production system (greenhouses or open fields). An association between geographical region and begomovirus species was observed suggesting that in Costa Rica the heterogeneity on climate, topography and agricultural system might influence the distribution of begomovirus species in the country. A broader survey needs to be conducted to confirm it, although these preliminary results may contribute to the management of begomoviruses in Costa Rica.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome: Prevalence and impact on the wellbeing of Australian women aged 16–29 years
Authors: Varanasi L. Chitra , Subasinghe Asvini , Jayasinghe Yasmin L. , Callegari Emma T. , Garland Suzanne M. , Gorelik Alexandra , Wark John D. 
Published: October 2017

BackgroundPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common condition among reproductive‐aged women. However, its exact prevalence is unknown.AimsTo determine the prevalence of PCOS in Australian women aged 16–29 years using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria compared to self‐reported PCOS, to compare co‐morbidities between the groups and to determine the most distressing aspect of a diagnosis of PCOS for these young women.Materials and MethodsParticipants were recruited from the Young Female Health Initiative (YFHI) and Safe‐D studies. Participants completed questionnaires, physical examinations and blood tests from 2012 to 2016. In March 2016, two supplementary questionnaires were distributed: the first, comprising questions on reproductive health and impact of diagnosis, was sent to participants who self‐reported having PCOS in the original studies. The second, comprising general reproductive health questions, was sent to the remainder.ResultsThe prevalence of PCOS, according to the NIH criteria, was 12% (31/254), while the prevalence of self‐reported PCOS was 8% (23/300). Only 35% (8/23) of those with self‐reported PCOS actually fulfilled the NIH criteria for PCOS. Comorbidities were relatively similar among groups. Finally, approximately 65% (15/23) were unhappy or worried about their initial PCOS diagnosis, with 72% (13/18) stating fertility concerns were the most distressing aspect of their diagnosis.ConclusionsThe lack of consistent and accurate diagnosis of PCOS in young women potentially leads to over‐diagnosis. This creates unnecessary fears of health complications, particularly infertility. Therefore, we recommend the development of standardised criteria with set parameters that allow for better diagnosis of PCOS.
The longitudinal impact of probiotic and peanut oral immunotherapy on health‐related quality of life
Authors: Dunn Galvin A. , McMahon S. , Ponsonby A.‐L. , Hsiao K.‐C. , Tang M. L. K. ,   the PPOIT study team
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundWe previously reported that probiotic and peanut oral immunotherapy (PPOIT) was effective at inducing sustained unresponsiveness compared with placebo in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled randomized trial. This study evaluated the impact of PPOIT on health‐related quality of life (HRQL).MethodFifty‐one participants (PPOIT 24; placebo 27) from the PPOIT trial completed Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire (FAQLQ‐PF) and Food Allergy Independent Measure (FAIM) at pre‐treatment, end‐of‐treatment and 3 months after end‐of‐treatment. A total of 42 participants (20 PPOIT; 22 placebo) completed measures at 12 months post‐treatment. Changes over time in PPOIT and placebo groups were examined by repeated‐measures analysis of variance and paired t tests.ResultsProbiotic and peanut oral immunotherapy was associated with significant improvement in FAQLQ‐PF (F = 3.63, P = .02), with mean difference 0.8 at 3 months post‐treatment (P = .05) and 1.3 at 12 months post‐treatment (P = .005), exceeding the 0.5 minimal clinically important difference for FAQLQ‐PF. For FAIM, mean difference was 0.5 (P = .03) at 3 months and 0.4 (P = .04) at 12 months post‐treatment. In placebo group, post‐treatment FAQLQ and FAIM remained unchanged from pretreatment. Improvement in FAQLQ‐PF and FAIM scores related specifically to acquisition of sustained unresponsiveness rather than to receiving PPOIT treatment or participation in the trial.ConclusionsProbiotic and peanut oral immunotherapy has a sustained beneficial effect on psychosocial impact of food allergy at 3 and 12 months after end‐of‐treatment. Treatment was not associated with reduced HRQL relative to baseline in either PPOIT or placebo groups, indicating that PPOIT was well tolerated and psychological well‐being was not negatively impacted. Improved HRQL was specifically associated with acquisition of sustained unresponsiveness.
Different functional genes of upper airway microbiome associated with natural course of childhood asthma
Authors: Kim B.‐S. , Lee E. , Lee M.‐J. , Kang M.‐J. , Yoon J. , Cho H.‐J. , Park J. , Won S. , Lee S. Y. , Hong S. J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBackgroundMicrobial colonization of the airway plays a role in the pathogenesis of asthma; however, the effect of the upper airway microbiome on childhood asthma is not fully understood. We analyzed the metagenome of airway microbiome to understand the associated role of upper airway microbiome with the natural course of childhood asthma.MethodsNasopharyngeal swabs were collected from children with asthma, those in asthma remission, and control groups. High‐throughput sequencing was used to examine the structure and functional dynamics of the airway microbiome with respect to asthma phenotypes.ResultsThe composition of microbiota differed among healthy control, asthma, and remission groups. The relative abundance of Streptococcus was negatively associated with FEV1% predicted (P = .023) and that of Staphylococcus was negatively associated with methacholine PC20 (P = .013). Genes related to arachidonic acid metabolites, lysine residues, and glycosaminoglycans in the microbiome could be associated with airway inflammation. In particular, genes related to synthesis of anti‐inflammatory prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) were not detected from the airway microbiome in the asthma group.ConclusionsThese data suggest that alterations in the composition and function of the upper airway microbiome could be related with the natural course of asthma in children.
Food protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome by fish: Not necessarily a restricted diet
Authors: Infante S. , Marco‐Martín G. , Sánchez‐Domínguez M. , Rodríguez‐Fernández A. , Fuentes‐Aparicio V. , Alvarez‐Perea A. , Cabrera‐Freitag P. , Morales‐Cabeza C. , Zubeldia J. M. , Zapatero L. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFood protein‐induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non‐IgE‐mediated gastrointestinal food hypersensitivity usually due to cow′s milk or soy. Recent researches show that fish is 1 of the most important triggers of FPIES in the Mediterranean countries. Due to the risk of multiple‐food FPIES, avoiding foods in the same category or that often occur together may be reasonable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evolution and follow‐up of FPIES related to fish over a period of 20 years. We describe the clinical features of our population, discuss different approaches to oral food challenges, and analyze the possibility of introducing the culprit fish or other nonrelated fish to avoid unnecessary restricted diets.
Editorial: hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease progression – HCV cure and the elimination of the “ethnic slope”
Authors: Tau J. A. , Pappas S. C. 
Published: October 2017

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Le et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14326 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14241.
Editorial: risk stratification for endoscopic surveillance of metachronous gastric cancer after endoscopic resection
Authors: Fock K. M. , Ang T. L. 
Published: October 2017

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Kwon and Jeon, and Kwon et al papers. To view these article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14363 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14263
Editorial: hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease progression – HCV cure and the elimination of the “ethnic slope”. Authors’ reply
Authors: Le A. K. , Garcia G. , Nguyen M. H. 
Published: October 2017

Linked ContentThis article is linked to Tau and Papas, and Le et al papers. To view these articles visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14283 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.14241.
The taxonomic composition of the donor intestinal microbiota is a major factor influencing the efficacy of faecal microbiota transplantation in therapy refractory ulcerative colitis
Authors: Kump P. , Wurm P. , Gröchenig H. P. , Wenzl H. , Petritsch W. , Halwachs B. , Wagner M. , Stadlbauer V. , Eherer A. , Hoffmann K. M. , Deutschmann A. , Reicht G. , Reiter L. , Slawitsch P. , Gorkiewicz G. , Högenauer C. 
Published: October 2017

SummaryBackgroundFaecal microbiota transplantation is an experimental approach for the treatment of patients with ulcerative colitis. Although there is growing evidence that faecal microbiota transplantation is effective in this disease, factors affecting its response are unknown.AimsTo establish a faecal microbiota transplantation treatment protocol in ulcerative colitis patients, and to investigate which patient or donor factors are responsible for the treatment success.MethodsThis is an open controlled trial of repeated faecal microbiota transplantation after antibiotic pre‐treatment (FMT‐group, n = 17) vs antibiotic pre‐treatment only (AB‐group, n = 10) in 27 therapy refractory ulcerative colitis patients over 90 days. Faecal samples of donors and patients were analysed by 16SrRNA gene‐based microbiota analysis.ResultsIn the FMT‐group, 10/17 (59%) of patients showed a response and 4/17 (24%) a remission to faecal microbiota transplantation. Response to faecal microbiota transplantation was mainly influenced by the taxonomic composition of the donor's microbiota. Stool of donors with a high bacterial richness (observed species remission 946 ± 93 vs no response 797 ± 181 at 15367 rps) and a high relative abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila (3.3 ± 3.1% vs 0.1 ± 0.2%), unclassified Ruminococcaceae (13.8 ± 5.0% vs 7.5 ± 3.7%), and Ruminococcus spp. (4.9 ± 3.5% vs 1.0 ± 0.7%) were more likely to induce remission. In contrast antibiotic treatment alone (AB‐group) was poorly tolerated, probably because of a sustained decrease of intestinal microbial richness.ConclusionsThe taxonomic composition of the donor's intestinal microbiota is a major factor influencing the efficacy of faecal microbiota transplantation in ulcerative colitis patients. The design of specific microbial preparation might lead to new treatments for ulcerative colitis.