bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Endocrinopathies with use of cancer immunotherapies
Authors: Villa Natalie M. , Farahmand Abtin , Du Lin , Yeh Michael W. , Smooke‐Praw Stephanie , Ribas Antoni , Chmielowski Bartosz , Cherry Grace , Leung Angela M. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryBackgroundImmunomodulatory therapies, including CTLA‐4 and PD‐1 inhibitors, provide a directed attack against cancer cells by preventing T cell deactivation. However, these drugs also prevent the downregulation of auto‐reactive T cells, resulting in immune‐related adverse events (IRAEs). Reports show a varied incidence of endocrine IRAEs, ranging from 0% to 63%.ObjectiveTo describe the frequency and clinical characteristics of endocrine IRAEs in patients taking cancer immunomodulatory therapies.DesignRetrospective cohort study.PatientsA total of 388 patients aged ≥18 years who were prescribed ipilimumab, nivolumab and/or pembrolizumab between 2009 and 2016 at our institution.MeasurementsBiochemical criteria were used to define endocrine IRAEs, including thyroid, pituitary, pancreas and adrenal dysfunction, following use of immunomodulatory therapies.ResultsFifty endocrine IRAEs occurred in our cohort, corresponding to a rate of 12.9%. The most common endocrine IRAEs were thyroid dysfunction (11.1%), with a lower incidence of pituitary dysfunction (1.8% of patients).ConclusionsOver 12% of patients receiving ipilimumab, nivolumab and/or pembrolizumab in our study sample developed an endocrine IRAE. Patients who undergo treatment with immunomodulatory therapies should be monitored for the development of endocrine IRAEs.
Opioid and opioid substitution therapy in liver transplant candidates: A survey of center policies and practices
Authors: Fleming James N. , Lai Jennifer C. , Te Helen S. , Said Adnan , Spengler Erin K. , Rogal Shari S. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis national survey sought to determine the practices and policies pertaining to opioid and opioid substitution therapy (OST) use in the selection of liver transplant (LT) candidates. Of 114 centers, 61 (53.5%) responded to the survey, representing 49.2% of the LT volume in 2016. Only two programs considered chronic opioid (1 [1.6%]) or OST use (1 [1.6%]) absolute contraindications to transplant, while 63.9% and 37.7% considered either one a relative contraindication, respectively. The majority of programs did not have a written policy regarding chronic opioid use (73.8%) or OST use (78.7%) in LT candidates. Nearly half (45.9%) of centers agreed that there should be a national consensus policy addressing opioid and OST use. The majority of responding LT centers did not consider opioid or OST use in LT candidates to be absolute contraindications to LT, but there was significant variability in center practices. These surveys also demonstrated a lack of written policies in the assessment of the candidacy of such patients. The results of our survey identify an opportunity to develop a national consensus statement regarding opioid and OST use in LT candidates to bring greater uniformity and equity into the selection of LT candidates.
The legacy of 20th Century landscape change on today's woodland carabid communities
Authors: Neumann Jessica L. , Holloway Graham J. , Hoodless Andrew , Griffiths Geoffrey H. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimFor many species, the effects of landscape change can involve a time‐lag and result in an extinction debt. The landscape matrix plays a vital role in supporting species populations. However, the importance of the historical composition and configuration of landscape mosaics has received little attention, with studies focusing on the effects of loss and fragmentation of single (focal) habitat over time. We investigated the importance of historical and contemporary landscape heterogeneity (composition and configuration) to identify how landscape change has, and is continuing to have, an effect on current woodland carabid communities.LocationLowland Britain.MethodsCarabids were sampled from woodlands in 36 tetrads of 4 km2. Ordination methods analysed current community response to representations of contemporary and historical (1930s) landscape heterogeneity. The effects of 80 years of landscape change on current carabid assemblages were compared among tetrads.ResultsResults are consistent with an extinction debt; carabid communities correlated significantly with the historical composition and configuration of the landscape, but not contemporary landscape configuration. Community assemblages have been shaped, and many species remain affiliated with landscape conditions that no longer exist, notably, large patches of broadleaf woodland and semi‐natural grassland. Recent introduction of conifer plantations has had a negative effect on the abundance of many woodland species. For many common, slow‐dispersing species, contemporary and historical landscapes offered sub‐optimum woodland coverage indicating a lag effect that exceeds 80 years. Increased arable land cover and loss of semi‐natural grassland and heathland points towards an ongoing detrimental impact on carabid populations.Main conclusionsCompared with focal‐habitat studies, the landscape mosaic approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of widespread landscape change on species communities. Conservation guidance includes new planting, maintenance and restoration of semi‐natural habitats, implemented across multiple spatial scales and where feasible, considering both historical and contemporary landscape heterogeneity.
The social practice of medical guanxi (personal connections) and patient–physician trust in China: an anthropological and ethical study
Authors: Zou Xiang , Cheng Yu , Nie Jing‐Bao 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn China's healthcare sector, a popular and socio‐culturally distinctive phenomenon known as guanxi jiuyi (medical guanxi), whereby patients draw on their guanxi (personal connections) with physicians when seeking healthcare, is thriving. Integrating anthropological investigation with normative inquiry, this paper examines medical guanxi through the lens of patient–physician trust and mistrust. The first‐hand empirical data acquired – on the lived experiences and perspectives of both patients and physicians – is based on six months' fieldwork carried out in a county hospital in Guangdong, southern China, which included in‐depth interviews with 20 patients and 20 medical professionals. Patients who emphasized the positive effects of guanxi on patient–physician trust believed that it facilitates access to experienced medical specialists, enhances clinical communication, and reduces the financial and medical risks of over diagnosis and overtreatment by physicians. At the same time, these findings reveal patients' strong sense of mistrust, not only towards individual health professionals but also to the medical profession and China's commercialized healthcare industry. While some health professionals in the study responded favourably to medical guanxi, most were opposed to it on the grounds that it undermines professional standards and equitable healthcare. We found that the practice of medical guanxi is not morally justifiable, chiefly because it reinforces the present high levels of patient–physician mistrust and erodes trust between patients and the medical profession as a whole. In China, both the medical profession and the state need to promote patient–physician trust based on medical professionalism and institutional norms, rather than on guanxi or individual relationships.
A novel method to assess the potential role of sweating abnormalities in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis
Authors: Shimoda‐Komatsu Yurie , Sato Yohei , Yamazaki Yoshimi , Takahashi Ryo , Shiohara Tetsuo 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAlthough atopic dry skin is believed to be caused by defects in skin genes important for maintaining skin barrier function, the role of sweat in atopic dermatitis (AD) has been apparently underestimated. Given the great capacity of sweat to maintain and increase skin hydration, defective sweating responses may be a logical place to look for changes that predispose individuals to the disease. We investigated how disease process and sweating defects progress from early asymptomatic stages to the onset of clinically apparent disease by employing the impression mould technique, which allows an accurate quantification of individual sweat gland/duct activity in relation to skin surface topography. Insensible and sensible sweating responses under baseline conditions and after thermal stimulus, respectively, were measured in various stages of AD patients and healthy controls. In controls, under baseline conditions, sweat ducts/glands at the dermal folds secreted basal levels of sweat (insensible sweating), thereby maintaining skin hydration. Not only such insensible sweating but also sensible sweating markedly decreased even in the earliest asymptomatic stage and the decrease was followed by compensatory hyperhidrosis at the ridge: leakage of sweat into the dermis could represent the initial event resulting in the decreased sweating and inflammation. The defects eventually progressed involving all of the ducts/glands to develop systemic dry skin. AD skin is characterized by varying degrees of functional impairment of sweat ducts/glands depending on the stage, and this defect would be among the reasons for the inability of AD patients to maintain skin hydration.
Identifying potential habitat distribution of the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) off the eastern coast of Japan in winter
Authors: Igarashi Hiromichi , Saitoh Sei‐Ichi , Ishikawa Yoichi , Kamachi Masafumi , Usui Norihisa , Sakai Mitsuo , Imamura Yutaka 
Published: September 2017

AbstractHabitat suitability index (HSI) models were applied to identify the potential habitat distribution of the neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) off the eastern coast of Japan during winter. We used an ocean reanalysis product, a satellite‐derived dataset, and commercial fisheries data during 2003–2008 to develop the HSI models, and illustrated the characteristics of the ocean environments at the fishing ground of the neon flying squid, focusing on a typical fishing ground formation event in 2006. The estimated HSI fields of the neon flying squid using three‐dimensional (3D) ocean environmental parameters showed a clear relationship between the squid habitat and the edge of a warm core ring south of the Oyashio water; this is considered a key characteristic of fishing ground formation, as noted in Sugimoto and Tameishi (Deep‐Sea Research, 39, 1992 and S183). This result suggests that mixing of the warm and nutrient‐poor Kuroshio water and the cold and nutrient‐rich Oyashio water at the edge of the ring could provide favorable conditions for the foraging of the neon flying squid. The warm water condition in the subsurface layers could be a further advantage to the formation of a stable fishing ground for the neon flying squid. Comparison of the Akaike Information Criteria among a satellite‐data‐based model, a reanalysis‐based model using the same parameters as the satellite‐based model, and a reanalysis‐based model using 3D ocean environmental parameters, showed an apparent improvement in the performance of the reanalysis‐based model using the 3D parameters, reproducing realistic features of the squid fishing ground during the winter of 2006.
Human activities as a driver of spatial variation in the trophic structure of fish communities on Pacific coral reefs
Authors: Ruppert Jonathan L. W. , Vigliola Laurent , Kulbicki Michel , Labrosse Pierre , Fortin Marie‐Josée , Meekan Mark G. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAnthropogenic activities such as land‐use change, pollution and fishing impact the trophic structure of coral reef fishes, which can influence ecosystem health and function. Although these impacts may be ubiquitous, they are not consistent across the tropical Pacific Ocean. Using an extensive database of fish biomass sampled using underwater visual transects on coral reefs, we modelled the impact of human activities on food webs at Pacific‐wide and regional (1,000s–10,000s km) scales. We found significantly lower biomass of sharks and carnivores, where there were higher densities of human populations (hereafter referred to as human activity); however, these patterns were not spatially consistent as there were significant differences in the trophic structures of fishes among biogeographic regions. Additionally, we found significant changes in the benthic structure of reef environments, notably a decline in coral cover where there was more human activity. Direct human impacts were the strongest in the upper part of the food web, where we found that in a majority of the Pacific, the biomass of reef sharks and carnivores were significantly and negatively associated with human activity. Finally, although human‐induced stressors varied in strength and significance throughout the coral reef food web across the Pacific, socioeconomic variables explained more variation in reef fish trophic structure than habitat variables in a majority of the biogeographic regions. Notably, economic development (measured as GDP per capita) did not guarantee healthy reef ecosystems (high coral cover and greater fish biomass). Our results indicate that human activities are significantly shaping patterns of trophic structure of reef fishes in a spatially nonuniform manner across the Pacific Ocean, by altering processes that organize communities in both “top‐down” (fishing of predators) and “bottom‐up” (degradation of benthic communities) contexts.
Prioritizing forest fuels treatments based on the probability of high‐severity fire restores adaptive capacity in Sierran forests
Authors: Krofcheck Daniel J. , Hurteau Matthew D. , Scheller Robert M. , Loudermilk E. Louise 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIn frequent fire forests of the western United States, a legacy of fire suppression coupled with increases in fire weather severity have altered fire regimes and vegetation dynamics. When coupled with projected climate change, these conditions have the potential to lead to vegetation type change and altered carbon (C) dynamics. In the Sierra Nevada, fuels reduction approaches that include mechanical thinning followed by regular prescribed fire are one approach to restore the ability of the ecosystem to tolerate episodic fire and still sequester C. Yet, the spatial extent of the area requiring treatment makes widespread treatment implementation unlikely. We sought to determine if a priori knowledge of where uncharacteristic wildfire is most probable could be used to optimize the placement of fuels treatments in a Sierra Nevada watershed. We developed two treatment placement strategies: the naive strategy, based on treating all operationally available area and the optimized strategy, which only treated areas where crown‐killing fires were most probable. We ran forecast simulations using projected climate data through 2,100 to determine how the treatments differed in terms of C sequestration, fire severity, and C emissions relative to a no‐management scenario. We found that in both the short (20 years) and long (100 years) term, both management scenarios increased C stability, reduced burn severity, and consequently emitted less C as a result of wildfires than no‐management. Across all metrics, both scenarios performed the same, but the optimized treatment required significantly less C removal (naive=0.42 Tg C, optimized=0.25 Tg C) to achieve the same treatment efficacy. Given the extent of western forests in need of fire restoration, efficiently allocating treatments is a critical task if we are going to restore adaptive capacity in frequent‐fire forests.
Plants do not suffer greater losses to seed predation towards the tropics
Authors: Chen Si‐Chong , Hemmings Frank A. , Chen Fang , Moles Angela T. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractAimBiotic interactions have traditionally been predicted to be stronger towards the tropics. However, all previous studies about the latitudinal gradient in seed predation were either based on single species or compiled data from studies that used different methods in different ecosystems. Our goal was to provide the first broad‐scale quantification of the latitudinal gradient in seed predation at both cross‐species and within‐species levels.LocationTwenty‐five sites spanning 28° of latitude on the east coast of Australia.MethodsUsing consistent protocols, we measured pre‐dispersal seed predation for 256 species × site combinations (including a total of 170 species) and post‐dispersal seed removal for 126 species × site combinations (including a total of 91 species), as well as removal of standard rice grains at each site. The relationships between seed predation and latitude were quantified using generalized mixed‐effects models and meta‐analyses.ResultsContrary to expectations, the proportion of seeds lost to pre‐dispersal seed predation increased with latitude at the cross‐species level and showed no latitudinal trend at the within‐species level. There was no significant relationship between latitude and the proportion of seeds lost to post‐dispersal seed removal, either within species or across species. We found significantly higher removal of standard rice grains at lower latitudes, but this trend reversed if we excluded the four island sites from analysis.Main conclusionsSeed predation on natural seeds was not higher at lower latitudes. Thus, our study joins a growing body of evidence contrary to the idea that tropical species suffer greater losses to herbivores than do temperate species. The latitudinal gradient in removal rates for standard rice grains suggests that natural seeds from low latitudes may have achieved a similar predation rate to high‐latitudinal species through increased investment in defenses. However, additional data will be necessary to test this hypothesis.
Measuring recall of medical information in non‐English‐speaking people with cancer: A methodology
Authors: Lipson‐Smith Ruby , Hyatt Amelia , Murray Alexandra , Butow Phyllis , Hack Thomas F. , Jefford Michael , Ozolins Uldis , Hale Sandra , Schofield Penelope 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundMany patients who require an interpreter have difficulty remembering information from their medical consultations. Memory aids such as consultation audio‐recordings may be of benefit to these patients. However, there is no established means of measuring patients’ memory of medical information.ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop a method for eliciting and coding recall of medical information in non‐English‐speaking patients.DesignThis method, called Patient‐Interpreter‐Clinician coding (PICcode), was developed in the context of a phaseIItrial conducted in two outpatient oncology clinics in Melbourne, Australia, and was refined iteratively through consultation with an expert panel and piloting. Between‐coder differences in early versions of the coding system were resolved through discussion and consensus resulting in refinements toPICcode.ResultsThe final version ofPICcode involved transcribing, translating and coding of audio‐recorded consultations and semi‐structured interviews (SSI). TheSSIs were designed to elicit patients’ free‐recall of medical information. Every unit of medical information in the consultation was identified and categorized in a coding tree.SSIs were coded to identify the extent to which information was recalled from the consultation.DiscussionThe iterative changes involved in developingPICcode assisted in clarifying precise details of the process and produced a widely applicable coding system.PICcode is the most comprehensively described method of determining the amount of information that patients who use an interpreter recall from their medical consultations.PICcode can be adapted for English‐speaking patients and other healthcare populations.
Prognostic factors and treatment outcomes for patients with Fournier's gangrene: a retrospective study
Authors: Hong Kyung Sook , Yi Hee Jung , Lee Ryung‐Ah , Kim Kwang Ho , Chung Soon Sup 
Published: September 2017

AbstractFournier's gangrene is a gas‐forming, necrotising soft tissue infection affecting the perineum. It spreads rapidly along the deep fascial planes and is associated with a high mortality rate. With a growing elderly population with comorbidities, the frequency of severe cases of Fournier's gangrene is expected to increase. We retrospectively reviewed 20 patients diagnosed with Fournier's gangrene at our institution from 2003 to 2014 and analysed data. Thirteen patients had diabetes mellitus, two had been diagnosed with liver cirrhosis, and four were chronic alcoholics. Of 15 patients admitted to an intensive care unit, 11 underwent colostomy, and 4 required skin grafts for wound healing. The wide wounds of two patients were healed using vacuum‐assisted closure (VAC®) dressing without additional surgery. The mortality rate was 25%, and the patients whose Fournier's gangrene severity index (FGSI) score was higher than 9 points or whose blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level was higher than 50 mg/dl had a poor prognosis. In order to treat Fournier's gangrene, aggressive surgical treatment, including wide debridement and stoma creation, should be considered as soon as possible to improve survival rates. Additionally, VAC dressing is helpful in healing the wide debridement wound without additional reconstructive surgery.
Low‐firing and temperature stable microwave dielectric ceramics: Ba2LnV3O11 (Ln = Nd, Sm)
Authors: Li Chunchun , Xiang Huaicheng , Xu Minyu , Khaliq Jibran , Chen Junqi , Fang Liang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractLow‐firing and temperature stable microwave dielectric ceramics of Ba2LnV3O11 (Ln = Nd, Sm) were prepared by solid‐state reaction. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to investigate the phase purity, crystal structure, sintering behavior, and microstructure. The XRD patterns indicated that Ba2LnV3O11 (Ln = Nd, Sm) ceramics belong to monoclinic crystal system with P21/c space group in the whole sintering temperature range (800°C ‐900°C). Both ceramics could be well densified at 880°C for 4 hours with relative densities higher than 96%. The Ba2LnV3O11 (Ln = Nd, Sm) samples sintered at 880°C for 4 hours exhibited excellent microwave dielectric properties: εr = 12.05, Q × f = 23 010 GHz, τf = −7.7 ppm/°C, and εr = 12.19, Q × f = 27 120 GHz, τf = −16.2 ppm/°C, respectively. Besides, Ba2LnV3O11 (Ln = Nd, Sm) ceramics could be well co‐fired with the silver electrode at 880°C.
Agent‐Based Modeling of Temporal and Spatial Dynamics in Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment
Authors: Wu Susie Ruqun , Li Xiaomeng , Apul Defne , Breeze Victoria , Tang Ying , Fan Yi , Chen Jiquan 
Published: September 2017

SummaryCurrent aggregate and top‐down approaches in life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA) generally fail to account for spatial, temporal, and emergent behavioral dynamics simultaneously during the inventory stage. We discuss the key characteristics captured by complex system approaches (agent‐based modeling [ABM] in particular) in the context of LCSA. It is understood that by integrating ABM, temporal, spatial, and behavioral dynamics can be addressed during the life cycle inventory stage. We propose a general concept to integrate ABM into current building life cycle assessment standards. We then use a hypothetical example of green building development to compare the ABM approach with a predefined static policy model. Simulation results from the agent‐based model confirm that there are temporal and spatial variations caused by behavioral dynamics. The results are integrated into the calculation of temporally dynamic LCSA indicators on an annual basis. Spatially distributed simulation results can also be used in spatially dynamic LCSA.