bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation between interaction strengths drives stability in large ecological networks
Authors: Tang Si , Pawar Samraat , Allesina Stefano 
Published: June 2014

AbstractFood webs have markedly non‐random network structure. Ecologists maintain that this non‐random structure is key for stability, since large random ecological networks would invariably be unstable and thus should not be observed empirically. Here we show that a simple yet overlooked feature of natural food webs, the correlation between the effects of consumers on resources and those of resources on consumers, substantially accounts for their stability. Remarkably, random food webs built by preserving just the distribution and correlation of interaction strengths have stability properties similar to those of the corresponding empirical systems. Surprisingly, we find that the effect of topological network structure on stability, which has been the focus of countless studies, is small compared to that of correlation. Hence, any study of the effects of network structure on stability must first take into account the distribution and correlation of interaction strengths.
Mother Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) Alter Their Antipredator Behavior in the Presence of Neonates
Authors: Hoss Shannon K. , Clark Rulon W. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractNeonate‐directed care is rare in non‐avian reptiles, but female pitvipers attend their young for a period of time after birth. One of the primary functions of parental care is the protection of offspring from predators, and parents of diverse taxa are able to modulate their antipredator behavior in the presence of offspring. To test the hypothesis that the antipredator behavior of post‐parturient pitvipers is altered during neonate attendance, we conducted behavioral trials on female cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) in which we measured female response to a simulated predator encounter. Cottonmouths were divided into three treatment groups: (1) post‐parturient, attending neonates; (2) post‐parturient, not attending neonates; and (3) non‐reproductive. All females were subjected to a second trial approximately 3 wk later, when females in Group 1 were no longer attending neonates. When mothers were attending offspring, they were more hesitant to engage the predator and exhibited more warning than aggressive behaviors once they did, relative to non‐attending and non‐reproductive females. When these same mothers were no longer attending offspring, they significantly increased their antipredator behavior by engaging the predator quickly and displaying more aggressive than warning behaviors. This change in behavior was not observed in post‐parturient females who did not have neonates present during either trial, nor was it observed in non‐reproductive females, indicating that the presence of neonates directly affected the antipredator behavior of attending females. We discuss hypotheses concerning the possible adaptive value of reduced antipredator behavior in female pitvipers attending neonates.
The structure of a PII signaling protein from a halophilic archaeon reveals novel traits and high‐salt adaptations
Authors: Palanca Carles , Pedro‐Roig Laia , Llácer José Luis , Camacho Mónica , Bonete María J. , Rubio Vicente 
Published: June 2014

To obtain insights into archaeal nitrogen signaling and haloadaptation of the nitrogen/carbon/energy‐signaling protein PII, we determined crystal structures of recombinantly produced GlnK2 from the extreme halophilic archaeon Haloferax mediterranei, complexed with AMP or with the PII effectors ADP or ATP, at respective resolutions of 1.49 Å, 1.45 Å, and 2.60 Å. A unique trait of these structures was a three‐tongued crown protruding from the trimer body convex side, formed by an 11‐residue, N‐terminal, highly acidic extension that is absent from structurally studied PII proteins. This extension substantially contributed to the very low pI value, which is a haloadaptive trait of H. mediterranei GlnK2, and participated in hexamer‐forming contacts in one crystal. Similar acidic N‐extensions are shown here to be common among PII proteins from halophilic organisms. Additional haloadaptive traits prominently represented in H. mediterranei GlnK2 are a very high ratio of small residues to large hydrophobic aliphatic residues, and the highest ratio of polar to nonpolar exposed surface for any structurally characterized PII protein. The presence of a dense hydration layer in the region between the three T‐loops might also be a haloadaptation. Other unique findings revealed by the GlnK2 structure that might have functional relevance are: the adoption by its T‐loop of a three‐turn α‐helical conformation, perhaps related to the ability of GlnK2 to directly interact with glutamine synthetase; and the firm binding of AMP, confirmed by biochemical binding studies with ATP, ADP, and AMP, raising the possibility that AMP could be an important PII effector, at least in archaea.DatabaseThe atomic coordinates and structure factors have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank under the accession numbers 4OZL (hmGlnK2–AMP), 4OZJ (hmGlnK2–ADP), and 4OZN (hmGlnK2–ATP).Structured digital abstract

hmGlnK2 and hmGlnK2 bind by x-ray crystallography (View interaction)
Implicit gradient and integral average effective stresses: relationships and numerical approximations
Authors: Maggiolini E. , Livieri P. , Tovo R. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis paper investigates two possible definitions of a non‐local effective stress: the weighted average value and the implicit gradient solution. These definitions are usually applied for strength assessment, particularly in the high cycle fatigue regime, in the presence of notches, defects, cracks or welded joint toes or roots. The present research analyses their general relationship in plane notches. Then, the paper presents a numerical method for their assessment by means of a general FE tool. Different solutions are calculated and compared by evaluating the results obtained from different finite element method commercial software.
Managing microcystin: identifying national‐scale thresholds for total nitrogen and chlorophyll a
Authors: Yuan Lester L. , Pollard Amina I. , Pather Santhiska , Oliver Jacques L. , D'Anglada Lesley 
Published: June 2014

Summary

The occurrence of high cyanotoxin concentrations can severely impair the use of a waterbody for drinking water and recreational purposes. Cyanotoxins are likely to occur under specific environmental conditions, and so identifying these conditions can facilitate management of the waterbody to reduce the likelihood of high cyanotoxin concentrations.

We analysed data collected from lakes across the contiguous United States to identify environmental variables that are strongly associated with occurrence of high concentrations of a common cyanotoxin, microcystin (MC).

Since many different environmental variables covary and are associated with high MC, we used least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to identify a few variables that provided accurate predictions of high MC (≥1 μg L−1).

Our analysis indicated that total nitrogen (TN) and chlorophyll a (chl a) concentrations yielded a parsimonious model that accurately predicted the occurrence of high MC. Based on this model, we identified management thresholds for TN and chl a that would maintain the probability of high MC at or below 10 and 5%.
Use of recombinant activated factor VII in patients with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia: a review of the literature
Authors: Rajpurkar M. , Chitlur M. , Recht M. , Cooper D. L. 
Published: June 2014

SummaryGlanzmann's thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare bleeding disorder characterized by a quantitative or qualitative defect of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa on the platelet membrane. Managing bleeding episodes is often difficult, and a variety of modalities have been used, including platelet transfusions, recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa), and other supportive care. The aim of this review was to present the clinical experience with rFVIIa bolus infusion (rFVIIa BI) for treatment of bleeding episodes and prevention of bleeding during surgical procedures in patients with GT. A literature search was performed to identify rFVIIa‐treated patients with GT. Overall, one international survey, one open‐label study, and 40 case reports identified 172 bleeding episodes treated with rFVIIa and 62 procedures covered with rFVIIa. In the international survey, rFVIIa BI was used for 96 bleeding episodes in 59 patients. Recombinant FVIIa was effective in 76 bleeding episodes (79%). Of 34 surgical procedures, 25 procedures received rFVIIa BI with 92% bleeding‐prevention efficacy. The open‐label study reported 28 patients with 28 rFVIIa BI‐treated bleeds, and 26 (93%) bleeding episodes responded to rFVIIa. Published case reports revealed that 25 (69%) of 36 bleeds and 27 (96%) of 28 surgeries responded to rFVIIa BI treatment. Overall, 26 adverse events were reported in 19 patients, including five thromboembolic events in two patients where a possible relationship with rFVIIa could not be excluded. Two large studies and 40 case reports provide a literature base to support the efficacy and safety of rFVIIa BI in patients with GT.
Pyogenic liver abscess in end‐stage renal disease patients: A nationwide longitudinal study
Authors: Tsai Lung‐Wen , Chao Pei‐Wen , Ou Shuo‐Ming , Chen Yung‐Tai , Shih Chia‐Jen , Li Szu‐Yuan , Chen Tzen‐Wen , Chen Tzeng‐Ji , Liu Chien‐Tsai 
Published: June 2014

AbstractEnd‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are more prone to infectious disease because of their immunocompromised status. However, the association between pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) and ESRD remains not clear. The aim of our study is to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of PLA in ESRD patients. We recruited all incident ESRD patients from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database from 1998 to 2006. The incidence rate of PLA in ESRD patients was compared with that of a randomly selected non‐ESRD control group matched for age, sex gender, Charlson comorbidity score, diabetes mellitus, and cirrhosis. Among the 57,761 incident dialysis patients, there were 538 cases of PLA. The incidence rate of PLA was 18.20 per 10,000 person‐years in the ESRD cohort and 6.34 per 10,000 person‐years in matched control cohort. The rate of PLA was significantly higher in the ESRD cohort (hazard ratio 3.63, 95% confidence interval 2.83–4.65, P < 0.001). The mortality rates of PLA were higher in the ESRD cohort than those in matched control cohort. Diabetes mellitus was an independent risk factor for mortality of PLA. Compared with non‐ESRD patients, ESRD patients have a higher risk of PLA and poorer outcomes.
What are the patients' preferences for the Chronic Care Model? An application to the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome
Authors: Krucien Nicolas , Le Vaillant Marc , Pelletier‐Fleury Nathalie 
Published: June 2014

AbstractContextThe Chronic Care Model (CCM) has been developed to improve the quality of medical care delivered by general practitioners to patients with multiple chronic conditions. Despite an increasing use of this model, it remains unclear to what extent the different recommendations are valued by the patients.ObjectiveThis study aims to identify the preferences of patients with multiple chronic conditions for recommendations of the Chronic Care Model.MethodsThe patients' preferences were identified with a discrete choice experiment. The hypothetical general practice cares were described using 10 recommendations of the Chronic Care Model (i.e. shared decision making; informational continuity (INF); regular follow‐up; planned care; communication; collaboration with a nurse; advices on health habits; patient empowerment; psychological support; coordination). Respondents were consecutively recruited in a hospital setting during routine follow‐up visits to their pulmonary specialist. The sample of respondents included 150 patients with multiple chronic conditions in addition to an obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.ResultsThe INF is highly valued by the patients. At the opposite, patients do not appear to value collaboration between nurses and GPs. To a large extent, the patients' preferences for the recommendations of the CCM depend on their gender, number of chronic conditions and self‐perceived health condition.DiscussionThe INF appeared to be a minimal requirement to ensure high‐quality general practice care. The significant interactions between the patients' socio‐demographic characteristics and their preferences for the CCM highlighted the necessity to deliver personalized services.
Patient‐centred care – what is it and how is it practised in the dental surgery?
Authors: Scambler Sasha , Gupta Adyya , Asimakopoulou Koula 
Published: June 2014

AbstractObjectivesThis paper explores the understanding and practice of patient‐centred care (PCC) within dentistry. The aim of the research was to explore the nature of PCC, how PCC is taught and how it is practiced within a dental setting.MethodsThe results of a qualitative, interview‐based study of dental professionals working across clinical and teaching positions within a dental school are presented.ResultsResults suggest that a shared understanding of PCC revolves round a basic sense of humanity (‘being nice to patients’), giving information that is judged, by the clinician, to be in the patient's best interest and ‘allowing’ patient choice from a set of choices made available to patients by the clinicians themselves.ConclusionsThis research suggests that significant work is needed if dentists are going to conform to the General Dental Council guidelines on patient‐centred practice and a series of recommendations are made to this end.
Diagnostic utility of bone marrow examination for the assessment of patients with fever of unknown origin: a 10‐year single‐centre experience
Authors: Labrador J. , Pérez‐López E. , Martín A. , Cabrero M. , Puig N. , Díez‐Campelo M. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBone marrow (BM) examination is included in the diagnostic algorithm of fever of unknown origin (FUO), although its role is not clearly determined. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of BM studies in patients with FUO. We retrospectively reviewed 45 consecutive patients (25% human immunodeficiency virus‐positive) with FUO who underwent a BM study in the University Hospital of Salamanca from 2000 to 2010. We analysed the diagnostic role of BM smears, multiparameter flow cytometry analysis, histology and microbiological cultures. Five patients (11%) were finally diagnosed by BM study (three had an infectious disease and two were found to have haematological malignancies), all of whom were immunocompetent patients. Histology was the most useful study (diagnosis was obtained in 4/5 patients), while BM cultures did not establish the final diagnosis in any patient. Flow cytometry established the diagnosis in one patient, although this patient was also diagnosed by histology. In conclusion, BM study is useful for establishing the aetiology of FUO. BM biopsy for histological examination should be always mandatory if a BM examination is performed.
CORB is the best pneumonia severity score for elderly hospitalised patients with suspected pneumonia
Authors: Williams E. , Girdwood J. , Janus E. , Karunajeewa H. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractPneumonia severity scoring systems have been developed to identify patients at highest mortality risk, and are used in guidelines to limit use of broad‐spectrum antibiotics to patients with severe community‐acquired pneumonia. A retrospective audit of hospitalised general internal medicine patients with pneumonia was performed to assess the diagnostic performance of various pneumonia severity scores in an elderly general internal medicine population.
New oral anticoagulants: a practical guide on prescription, laboratory testing and peri‐procedural/bleeding management
Authors: Tran H. , Joseph J. , Young L. , McRae S. , Curnow J. , Nandurkar H. , Wood P. , McLintock C. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractNew oral anticoagulants (NOAC) are becoming available as alternatives to warfarin to prevent systemic embolism in patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation and for the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism. An in‐depth understanding of their pharmacology is invaluable for appropriate prescription and optimal management of patients receiving these drugs should unexpected complications (such as bleeding) occur, or the patient requires urgent surgery. The Australasian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis has set out to inform physicians on the use of the different NOAC based on current available evidence focusing on: (i) selection of the most suitable patient groups to receive NOAC, (ii) laboratory measurements of NOAC in appropriate circumstances and (iii) management of patients taking NOAC in the perioperative period, and strategies to manage bleeding complications or ‘reverse’ the anticoagulant effects for urgent invasive procedures.
Foam dressing with epidermal growth factor for severe radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Lee Jihyo , Lee Sang‐wook , Hong Joon Pio , Shon Myeong Wha , Ryu Seung‐Hee , Ahn Seung Do 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThis study was conducted to evaluate the effects of foam dressing with human recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) on the healing process in head and neck cancer patients who experience radiation‐induced dermatitis (RID). Seven patients, including three with oropharyngeal, two with nasopharyngeal and one each with hypopharyngeal and laryngeal carcinoma, who underwent radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer at the Asan Medical Center from March to December 2008 were prospectively included in this study. Patients who showed severe RID (more than wet desquamation) on the supraclavicular fossa or neck areas were treated by wound cleaning and debridement of granulation tissue, followed by daily rhEGF spray and foam dressing. Median time to stop exudates and reepithelialisation was 4 days. Within 14 days (median 8 days), all patients showed complete healing of RID and no longer required dressings. This new method of treatment with dressing containing rhEGF may have the potential to accelerate the healing process in patients with RID. A case–control study is needed to confirm this finding.
Pro‐healing effects of bilirubin in open excision wound model in rats
Authors: Ahanger Azad A , Leo Marie D , Gopal Anu , Kant Vinay , Tandan Surendra K , Kumar Dinesh 
Published: June 2014

AbstractBilirubin, a by‐product of heme degradation, has an important role in cellular protection. Therefore, we speculated that bilirubin could be of potential therapeutic value in wound healing. To validate the hypothesis, we used a full‐thickness cutaneous wound model in rats. Bilirubin (30 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally every day for 9 days. The surface area of the wound was measured on days 0, 2, 4, 7 and 10 after the creation of the wound. The granulation tissue was collected on day 10 post‐wounding for analysing various parameters of wound healing. Bilirubin treatment accelerated wound contraction and increased hydroxyproline and glucosamine contents. mRNA expression of pro‐inflammatory factors such as intercellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were down‐regulated and that of anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) was up‐regulated. The findings suggest that bilirubin could be a new agent for enhancing cutaneous wound healing.
Biophysical Parameters During Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Scar‐Mediated Ventricular Tachycardia: Epicardial and Endocardial Applications via Manual and Magnetic Navigation
Authors: BOURKE TARA , BUCH ERIC , MATHURIA NILESH , MICHOWITZ YOAV , YU RICKY , MANDAPATI RAVI , SHIVKUMAR KALYANAM , TUNG RODERICK 
Published: June 2014

Ablation Effectiveness and Biophysical ParametersBackgroundThere is a paucity of data on biophysical parameters during radiofrequency ablation of scar‐mediated ventricular tachycardia (VT).Methods and ResultsData were collected from consecutive patients undergoing VT ablation with open‐irrigation. Complete data were available for 372 lesions in 21 patients. The frequency of biophysical parameter changes were: >10Ω reduction (80%), bipolar EGM reduction (69%), while loss of capture was uncommon (32%). Unipolar injury current was seen in 72% of radiofrequency applications. Both EGM reduction and impedance drop were seen in 57% and a change in all 3 parameters was seen in only 20% of lesions. Late potentials were eliminated in 33%, reduced/modified in 56%, and remained after ablation in 11%. Epicardial lesions exhibited an impedance drop (90% vs. 76%, P = 0.002) and loss of capture (46% vs. 27%, P < 0.001) more frequently than endocardial lesions. Lesions delivered manually exhibited a >10Ω impedance drop (83% vs. 71%, P = 0.02) and an EGM reduction (71% vs. 40%, P < 0.001) more frequently than lesions applied using magnetic navigation, although loss of capture, elimination of LPs, and a change in all 3 parameters were similarly observed.ConclusionsVT ablation is inefficient as the majority of radiofrequency lesions do not achieve more than one targeted biophysical parameter. Only one‐third of RF applications targeted at LPs result in complete elimination. Epicardial ablation within scar may be more effective than endocardial lesions, and lesions applied manually may be more effective than lesions applied using magnetic navigation. New technologies directed at identifying and optimizing ablation effectiveness in scar are clinically warranted.
Commentary: Improving treatment for youth with callous‐unemotional traits through the intersection of basic and applied science – reflections on Dadds et al. (2014)
Authors: Hyde Luke W. , Waller Rebecca , Burt S. Alexandra 
Published: June 2014

There is increasing evidence that callous‐unemotional (CU) traits delineate a distinctive group of youth with antisocial behavior (AB). While controversies surrounding the construct of CU traits remain, the Dadds et al. (2014) study in this issue is emblematic of recent research that has focused on understanding the development of CU traits among antisocial youth. We explore four pertinent issues in the study of youth AB highlighted by this study, and highlight this study as exemplar research program that will ultimately help youth and families through translation from the lab to the clinic.
Linking signal fidelity and the efficiency costs of communication
Authors: Hackett S. , Schaefer H. M. , Ruxton G. D. 
Published: June 2014

AbstractThe handicap principle has been the overarching framework to explain the evolution and maintenance of communication. Yet, it is becoming apparent that strategic costs of signalling are not the only mechanism maintaining signal honesty. Rather, the fidelity of detecting signals can itself be strongly selected. Specifically, we argue that the fidelity of many signals will be constrained by the investment in signal generation and reception by the signaller and perceiver, respectively. Here, we model how investments in signal fidelity influence the emergence and stability of communication using a simple theoretical framework. The predictions of the model indicate that high‐cost communication can be stable whereas low‐cost intermediates are generally selected against. This dichotomy suggests that the most parsimonious route to the evolution of communication is for initial investment in communicative traits to be driven by noncommunicative functions. Such cues can appeal to pre‐existing perceptual biases and thereby stimulate signal evolution. We predict that signal evolution will vary between systems in ways that can be linked to the economics of communication to the two parties involved.