bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aspirin use is associated with lower indices of liver fibrosis among adults in the United States
Authors: Jiang Z. Gordon , Feldbrügge L. , Tapper E. B. , Popov Y. , Ghaziani T. , Afdhal N. , Robson S. C. , Mukamal K. J. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryBackgroundRecent animal studies have shown that platelets directly activate hepatic stellate cells to promote liver fibrosis, whereas anti‐platelet agents decrease liver fibrosis. It is unknown whether platelet inhibition by aspirin prevents liver fibrosis in humans.AimTo examine the association between aspirin use and liver fibrosis among adults with suspected chronic liver disease.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional analysis using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III. We identified 1856 individuals with suspected chronic liver disease (CLD). The degree of liver fibrosis was determined using four validated fibrosis indices and a composite index.ResultsThe use of aspirin was associated with a significantly lower composite liver fibrosis index calculated from FIB4, APRI, Forns and NFS [0.24 standard deviation (s.d.) units lower; 95% CI −0.42 to −0.06, P = 0.009]. The association of aspirin with lower fibrosis scores was significantly larger among those with suspected CLD compared to those without (−0.23 vs. −0.03 s.d. units; P interaction = 0.05). The negative association between aspirin use and lower fibrosis index was consistent across all four fibrosis indices (P = 0.002–0.08) in individuals with chronic viral hepatitis, suspected alcoholic liver disease and NASH. In comparison, no negative associations with liver fibrosis were seen with ibuprofen in parallel analyses.ConclusionsThe use of aspirin was associated with significantly lower indices of liver fibrosis among US adults with suspected chronic liver diseases. Aspirin and other anti‐platelet drugs warrant further investigation for the prevention and treatment of liver fibrosis.
Does Fire Trigger Seed Germination in the Neotropical Savannas? Experimental Tests with Six Cerrado Species
Authors: Fichino Betânia Santos , Dombroski Julia R. G. , Pivello Vânia R. , Fidelis Alessandra 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) is a biodiversity hotspot with a history of fire that goes back as far as 10 million years. Fire has influenced the evolution of several aspects of the vegetation, including reproduction and life cycles. This study tested how fire by‐products such as heat and smoke affect the germination of six species common to two Cerrado open physiognomies: wet grasslands and the campo sujo (grassland with scattered shrubs and dwarf trees). We subjected seeds collected in northern Brazil to heat shock and smoke treatments, both separately and combined, using different temperatures, exposure times, and smoke concentrations in aqueous solutions. High temperatures and smoke did not break seed dormancy nor stimulate germination of the Cerrado study species. However, seeds were not killed by high temperatures, indicating that they are fire‐tolerant. Our findings differed from those of other fire‐prone ecosystems (mostly of Mediterranean vegetation), where fire stimulates germination. Moreover, we provide important information regarding germination strategies of non‐woody Cerrado plants, showing the importance of considering the tolerance of seeds to high temperatures when evaluating fire‐related traits in fire‐prone ecosystems.
Classification of vegetative lagg types and hydrogeomorphic lagg forms in bogs of coastal British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Howie Sarah A. , van Meerveld Ilja (H.J.) 
Published: January 2016

Key Messages

A classification scheme was developed for laggs (marginal transition zones) of bogs.
Regional differences in vegetative lagg types were observed.
Half of the studied laggs differed from the classic notion of a lagg as being topographically confined.
The anal fistula plug in Crohn's disease patients with fistula‐in‐ano: a systematic review
Authors: Nasseri Y. , Cassella L. , Berns M. , Zaghiyan K. , Cohen J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimThis study aimed to review, consolidate and analyse the findings of studies investigating the efficacy of anal fistula plugs (AFPs) in treating fistula‐in‐ano in patients with Crohn's disease.MethodA literature review was conducted via Pubmed, Embase, Medline, Scopus and the Cochrane Library for the period 1995–2015. Articles were selected and reviewed based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.ResultsA total of 16 studies were extracted, of which 12 were included in the systematic review. In total, 84 patients (n = 1–20 per study) with a median age of 45 (18–72) years and a median follow‐up time of 9 (3–24) months were analysed. The total success rate, defined as closure of the fistula tract, was 49/84 (58.3%, 95% CI 47–69). Success in patients with recurrent anal fistulae was 2/5 (40%, 95% CI 5–85). Overall, the success rates of Surgisis® and GORE® BIO‐A® brand plugs were 48/80 (60%, 95% CI 48–71) and 1/4 (25%, 95% CI 1–81). The recurrence rate of fistula‐in‐ano in the five studies that reported recurrence was 3/22 (13.6%). In two comparative studies, inferior overall success rates were found in patients who received preoperative immunomodulators vs those who did not [3/11 (27.3%) vs 17/23 (73.9%)].ConclusionThe studies suggest that the use of an AFP in patients with Crohn's disease is a safe procedure with reasonable success, little morbidity and a low risk of incontinence. The current literature is limited by a number of factors, including small study cohorts, grouping of fistulae in Crohn's disease with other types of anal fistula, short and highly variable follow‐up times and multiple confounding factors such as number of fistula tracts, use of preoperative steroids or immunosuppressants, previous use of setons and variation in surgical technique.
A comparison of two methods of heart rate variability assessment at high altitude
Authors: Boos Christopher John , Bakker‐Dyos Josh , Watchorn Jim , Woods David Richard , O'Hara John Paul , Macconnachie Lee , Mellor Adrian 
Published: January 2016

SummaryHeart rate variability (HRV) is a useful index of autonomic function and has been linked to the development of high altitude (HA) related illness. However, its assessment at HA has been undermined by the relative expense and limited portability of traditional HRV devices which have mandated at least a minute heart rate recording. In this study, the portable ithlete™ HRV system, which uses a 55 s recording, was compared with a reference method of HRV which utilizes a 5 min electrocardiograph recording (CheckMyHeart™). The root mean squares of successive R‐R intervals (RMSSD) for each device was converted to a validated HRV score (lnRMSSD × 20) for comparison. Twelve healthy volunteers were assessed for HRV using the two devices across seven time points at HA over 10 days. There was no significant change in the HRV values with either the ithlete (P = 0·3) or the CheckMyHeart™ (P = 0·19) device over the seven altitudes. There was also a strong overall correlation between the ithlete™ and CheckMyHeart™ device (r = 0·86; 95% confidence interval: 0·79–0·91). The HRV was consistently, though non‐significantly higher with ithlete™ than with the CheckMyHeart™ device [mean difference (bias) 1·8 l; 95% CI −12·3 to 8·5]. In summary, the ithlete™ and CheckMyHeart™ system provide relatively similar results with good overall agreement at HA.
Physical activity using wrist‐worn accelerometers: comparison of dominant and non‐dominant wrist
Authors: Dieu Olivier , Mikulovic Jacques , Fardy Paul S. , Bui‐Xuan Gilles , Béghin Laurent , Vanhelst Jérémy 
Published: January 2016

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a difference in physical activity assessment between a wrist‐worn accelerometer at the dominant or non‐dominant arm. The secondary purpose was to assess the concurrent validity of measures of physical activity from the wrist‐worn accelerometer and the waist‐worn accelerometer. Forty adults wore three accelerometers simultaneously, one on the waist and one each on the non‐dominant wrist and dominant wrist, respectively, for 24 consecutive hours of free‐living conditions. Data were uploaded from the monitor to a computer following a 1‐day test period. There were no significant differences in physical activity when comparing the dominant versus the non‐dominant wrist, regardless of axis (P>0·05). Mean daily accelerometer output data from both wrists were strongly correlated with average counts per minute from the ActiGraph worn around the waist (r = 0·88, P<0·001). Findings suggest that the choice to wear the accelerometer on the non‐dominant or dominant wrist has no impact on results. Data from this study contribute to the knowledge of how to best assess physical activity habits.
Natural disturbance regimes as templates for the response of bird species assemblages to contemporary forest management
Authors: Drapeau Pierre , Villard Marc‐André , Leduc Alain , Hannon Susan J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimIn managed forest landscapes, the tolerance of species to contemporary alteration of forest cover is often assumed to reflect their resilience to natural disturbances. We tested this central tenet of ecosystem‐based management by comparing the structure of forest bird assemblages among four regions with contrasting historical natural disturbance regimes.LocationCanada's boreal and northern hardwood forests.MethodsUsing point count data from four study regions across Canada, we first determined the relative sensitivity of individual bird species to the contemporary reduction of old forest cover at stand and ‘landscape‐context’ (1‐km radius) scales with log‐linear models. The richness of species most sensitive to loss of old forest (hereafter ‘sensitive species’) was then modelled as a function of landscape‐scale changes in old forest cover. Differences in the rate of decline in the richness of sensitive species with contemporary cover of old forest were compared among regions using ANCOVA. We then compared broken‐stick regression models with linear models to detect thresholds, if present, in this relationship in each region.ResultsBird assemblages from regions with relatively infrequent natural disturbances hosted more species sensitive to contemporary reduction in old forest cover. Those species were also more abundant than in regions with frequent natural disturbances, and the rate of decline in their richness with the loss of old forest was steeper in regions with infrequent natural disturbances than in those where they were frequent. However, we did not detect thresholds in this rate of decline in any study region.Main conclusionsOur findings are consistent with the contention that historical natural disturbance regimes shape the response of biota to contemporary landscape alterations through evolutionary adaptation. We argue that forest management conducted within the natural range of variability in stand and landscape structure specific to a region is likely to be ecologically sustainable.
The Impact of Switching Costs on the Outsourcing of Knowledge‐Intensive Business Processes
Authors: Cui Zhijian 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACTThis study examines the impact of switching costs on vendor selection and contract efficiency in the outsourcing of knowledge‐intensive business services (KIBS). We show that under most plausible scenarios in KIBS outsourcing, there is an intrinsic tension between vendor selection and contract efficiency: in the process in which the winning vendor's bid constitutes the terms of the contract between client and vendor (e.g., competitive bidding), there is good selection but contract inefficiency (positive information rent paid by the client). If, by contrast, the client establishes the contract terms, then its performance yields contract efficiency but poor selection. We also highlight the implications of performance metrics for contract design in KIBS outsourcing.
Effectiveness of color intensity analysis using updated autofluorescence imaging systems for serrated lesions
Authors: Tamai Naoto , Inomata Hiroko , Ide Daisuke , Dobashi Akira , Saito Shoichi , Sumiyama Kazuki 
Published: January 2016

Background and AimWe previously reported the effectiveness of color intensity analysis using autofluorescence imaging (AFI) for differentiating colorectal neoplastic lesions from non‐neoplastic lesions. However, the ability of AFI systems for differentiating serrated lesions has not been evaluated. In the present study, we assessed the effectiveness of color intensity analysis using updated AFI systems for evaluating serrated lesions.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the data for 48 consecutive patients with 87 serrated lesions that were examined using updated AFI systems and resected at Jikei University Hospital. The mean green/red (G/R) ratio, which is obtained by dividing the mean green color intensities by the mean red color intensities, was calculated for each serrated lesion and compared between hyperplastic polyps, sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/P) with cytological dysplasia, and SSA/P without cytological dysplasia. We also assessed the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for determining SSA/P (both with and without cytological dysplasia) and SSA/P with cytological dysplasia.ResultsThe AUC for determining SSA/P was 0.68; however, the AUC for determining SSA/P with cytological dysplasia was 0.97. With a cut‐off for the G/R ratio of <0.93, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for SSA/P with cytological dysplasia were 95.5%, 91.0%, 77.8%, and 98.3%, respectively.ConclusionColor intensity analysis of serrated lesions using updated AFI systems could effectively distinguish SSA/P with cytological dysplasia from hyperplastic polyps and SSA/P without cytological dysplasia.
Historical precipitation predictably alters the shape and magnitude of microbial functional response to soil moisture
Authors: Averill Colin , Waring Bonnie G. , Hawkes Christine V. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSoil moisture constrains the activity of decomposer soil microorganisms, and in turn the rate at which soil carbon returns to the atmosphere. While increases in soil moisture are generally associated with increased microbial activity, historical climate may constrain current microbial responses to moisture. However, it is not known if variation in the shape and magnitude of microbial functional responses to soil moisture can be predicted from historical climate at regional scales. To address this problem, we measured soil enzyme activity at 12 sites across a broad climate gradient spanning 442–887 mm mean annual precipitation. Measurements were made eight times over 21 months to maximize sampling during different moisture conditions. We then fit saturating functions of enzyme activity to soil moisture and extracted half saturation and maximum activity parameter values from model fits. We found that 50% of the variation in maximum activity parameters across sites could be predicted by 30‐year mean annual precipitation, an indicator of historical climate, and that the effect is independent of variation in temperature, soil texture, or soil carbon concentration. Based on this finding, we suggest that variation in the shape and magnitude of soil microbial response to soil moisture due to historical climate may be remarkably predictable at regional scales, and this approach may extend to other systems. If historical contingencies on microbial activities prove to be persistent in the face of environmental change, this approach also provides a framework for incorporating historical climate effects into biogeochemical models simulating future global change scenarios.
Correlates of extinction risk in squamate reptiles: the relative importance of biology, geography, threat and range size
Authors: Böhm Monika , Williams Rhiannon , Bramhall Huw R. , McMillan Kirsten M. , Davidson Ana D. , Garcia Andrés , Bland Lucie M. , Bielby Jon , Collen Ben 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimEvaluating the relative roles of biological traits and environmental factors that predispose species to an elevated risk of extinction is of fundamental importance to macroecology. Identifying species that possess extinction‐promoting traits allows targeted conservation action before precipitous declines occur. Such analyses have been carried out for several vertebrate groups, with the notable exception of reptiles. We identify traits correlating with high extinction risk in squamate reptiles, assess whether these differ with geography, taxonomy and threats, and make recommendations for future Red List assessments.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe collected data on biological traits and environmental factors for a representative sample of 1139 species of squamate reptiles. We used phylogenetically controlled regression models to identify general correlates of extinction risk, threat‐specific correlates of risk and realm‐specific correlates of risk. We also assessed the relative importance of range size versus other factors through multiplicative bivariate models, partial regressions and variance partitioning.ResultsRange size was the most important predictor of extinction risk, reflecting the high frequency of reptiles assessed under range‐basedIUCNcriteria. Habitat specialists occupying accessible ranges were at a greater risk of extinction: although these factors never contributed more than 10% to the variance in extinction risk, they showed significant interactions with range size. The predictive power of our global models ranged from 23% to 29%. The general overall pattern remained the same among geographical, taxonomic and threat‐specific data subsets.Main conclusionsProactive conservation requires shortcuts to identify species at high risk of extinction. Regardless of location, squamate reptiles that are range‐restricted habitat specialists living in areas highly accessible to humans are likely to become extinct first. Prioritizing species that exhibit such traits could forestall extinction. Integration of data sources on human pressures, such as accessibility of species ranges, may aid robust and time‐efficient assessments of species extinction risk.
Environmental optimality, not heterogeneity, drives regional and local species richness in lichen epiphytes
Authors: Coyle Jessica R. , Hurlbert Allen H. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimWe evaluate the scale dependence of species richness–environment relationships with a continent‐wide analysis of lichen epiphyte communities. Specifically, our goals are to assess: (1) the dependence of local richness on regional processes, (2) whether species richness is primarily influenced by heterogeneity in environmental conditions or the central tendency of those conditions, and (3) whether the relative influence of these different aspects of the environment differs between local communities and regional species pools.LocationForests of the contiguousUnitedStates.MethodsWe used variation partitioning and model averaging of linear models to relate macrolichen richness at 1923 forest inventory plots (c. 4000 m2) to measures of environmental heterogeneity and mean conditions at local and regional scales. Data included 17 local environmental variables and 11 regional‐scale variables which were obtained from a national forest inventory, herbarium records and several climate data sources.ResultsRegional‐scale variables explained more unique variation in local species richness and generally had stronger effects than variables measured locally. However, most variation in local richness was explained jointly by local and regional variables. At both local and regional scales, variables measuring environmental heterogeneity explained little variation in species richness and had weaker effects than variables characterizing mean environmental conditions.Main conclusionsSpecies richness of epiphytic macrolichens is not regulated by environmental heterogeneity locally or regionally and instead tracks large‐scale climate gradients of water availability and temperature. Richness in local communities is influenced by processes operating at both regional and local scales, highlighting the importance of determining large‐scale drivers of lichen richness across the North American continent. This research demonstrates a general method for comparing the influence of different aspects of the environment on species richness across scales and should be applicable to many different taxonomic groups.
Effects of environmental variation and livestock grazing on ant community structure in temperate eucalypt woodlands
Authors: Barton Philip S. , Sato Chloe F. , Kay Geoffrey M. , Florance Daniel , Lindenmayer David B. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

Grazing by livestock is a major ecological disturbance, with potential effects on vegetation, soil, and insect fauna. Ants are a diverse and functionally important insect group with many associations with the ground layer, yet recent global syntheses question the importance of grazing effects on ant communities relative to vegetation or soil.

We examined the effects of vegetation, soil and grazing on the whole ant community, ant functional groups, and abundant species in temperate eucalypt woodlands, southeastern Australia.

We found limited influence of grazing on our vegetation and soil measures, except for a positive association between grazing and exotic perennial grass cover. We also found that exotic grass cover had a negative effect on overall ant abundance and richness, but not functional groups or individual species. Soil C:N ratio had a positive effect on the subdominant Camponotini, and leaf litter cover had a positive effect on the abundance of cryptic species. Partial Mantel tests revealed an effect of both environmental and grazing measures on ant assemblage composition, but constrained ordination showed that leaf litter cover, grass biomass, and native and exotic perennial grass cover had stronger correlations with ant community structure than grazing.

Our study shows that both environmental variation and grazing play a role in driving ant community structure, but that key environmental variables such as grass biomass and leaf litter cover are particularly important in temperate eucalypt woodlands. Monitoring of ant communities to measure the benefits of changed grazing regimes for biodiversity should consider contemporary grazing pressure as well as the underlying effects of variation in plants and soils.