bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Allometric constraints on, and trade‐offs in, belowground carbon allocation and their control of soil respiration across global forest ecosystems
Authors: Chen Guangshui , Yang Yusheng , Robinson David 
Published: December 2013

AbstractTo fully understand how soil respiration is partitioned among its component fluxes and responds to climate, it is essential to relate it to belowground carbon allocation, the ultimate carbon source for soil respiration. This remains one of the largest gaps in knowledge of terrestrial carbon cycling. Here, we synthesize data on gross and net primary production and their components, and soil respiration and its components, from a global forest database, to determine mechanisms governing belowground carbon allocation and their relationship with soil respiration partitioning and soil respiration responses to climatic factors across global forest ecosystems. Our results revealed that there are three independent mechanisms controlling belowground carbon allocation and which influence soil respiration and its partitioning: an allometric constraint; a fine‐root production vs. root respiration trade‐off; and an above‐ vs. belowground trade‐off in plant carbon. Global patterns in soil respiration and its partitioning are constrained primarily by the allometric allocation, which explains some of the previously ambiguous results reported in the literature. Responses of soil respiration and its components to mean annual temperature, precipitation, and nitrogen deposition can be mediated by changes in belowground carbon allocation. Soil respiration responds to mean annual temperature overwhelmingly through an increasing belowground carbon input as a result of extending total day length of growing season, but not by temperature‐driven acceleration of soil carbon decomposition, which argues against the possibility of a strong positive feedback between global warming and soil carbon loss. Different nitrogen loads can trigger distinct belowground carbon allocation mechanisms, which are responsible for different responses of soil respiration to nitrogen addition that have been observed. These results provide new insights into belowground carbon allocation, partitioning of soil respiration, and its responses to climate in forest ecosystems and are, therefore, valuable for terrestrial carbon simulations and projections.
How to measure ecosystem stability? An evaluation of the reliability of stability metrics based on remote sensing time series across the major global ecosystems
Authors: De Keersmaecker Wanda , Lhermitte Stef , Honnay Olivier , Farifteh Jamshid , Somers Ben , Coppin Pol 
Published: December 2013

AbstractIncreasing frequency of extreme climate events is likely to impose increased stress on ecosystems and to jeopardize the services that ecosystems provide. Therefore, it is of major importance to assess the effects of extreme climate events on the temporal stability (i.e., the resistance, the resilience, and the variance) of ecosystem properties. Most time series of ecosystem properties are, however, affected by varying data characteristics, uncertainties, and noise, which complicate the comparison of ecosystem stability metrics (ESMs) between locations. Therefore, there is a strong need for a more comprehensive understanding regarding the reliability of stability metrics and how they can be used to compare ecosystem stability globally. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of temporal ESMs based on time series of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index of 15 global land‐cover types. We provide a framework (i) to assess the reliability of ESMs in function of data characteristics, uncertainties and noise and (ii) to integrate reliability estimates in future global ecosystem stability studies against climate disturbances. The performance of our framework was tested through (i) a global ecosystem comparison and (ii) an comparison of ecosystem stability in response to the 2003 drought. The results show the influence of data quality on the accuracy of ecosystem stability. White noise, biased noise, and trends have a stronger effect on the accuracy of stability metrics than the length of the time series, temporal resolution, or amount of missing values. Moreover, we demonstrate the importance of integrating reliability estimates to interpret stability metrics within confidence limits. Based on these confidence limits, other studies dealing with specific ecosystem types or locations can be put into context, and a more reliable assessment of ecosystem stability against environmental disturbances can be obtained.
Critical appraisal of evidence supporting the placement of dental implants in patients with neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Faggion Clovis Mariano 
Published: December 2013

ObjectiveTo assess the available scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness and complications associated with using dental implants in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.Materials and MethodsPubMed, EMBASE, Biosis Citation Index, CINAHL, Web of Science and LILACS electronic databases were searched, with the last search performed on 20 May 2013. Reference lists of the included systematic reviews were manually reviewed. No restriction regarding the study design or publication language was applied for study inclusion. Only studies involving human subjects were included. In case randomised or other controlled trials were identified, methodological assessment of included studies was planned.ResultsFifty‐eight potential papers were initially retrieved from the electronic databases. Eleven papers were finally included. No randomised controlled trial or other controlled trial was found. Eight papers were case reports and three were case series. The sample included three types of neurodegenerative diseases: dementia, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. Generally, the reports showed improvements in chewing function and quality of life after the placement of implants and prostheses. Nevertheless, the follow‐up time was typically short (≤12 months), and the overall sample size was small (N = 22 patients). Inclusion of studies without controls prevented a more robust methodological assessment from being performed.ConclusionsThe results of the included reports suggest positive outcomes for dental implant use in patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, more robust studies, with better design and longer follow‐ups, are needed to set strategies to prevent and treat potential complications in patients with neurodegenerative disorders treated with dental implants.
Post‐kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis mimicking leprosy relapse: a diagnostic dilemma
Authors: Arora Shikha , D'Souza Paschal , Haroon Mohammad A. , Ramesh V. , Kaur Onkar , Chandoke Raj Kumar 
Published: December 2013

AbstractObjectivesPost‐kala‐azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is well recognized in the Indian subcontinent and is not infrequently confused with leprosy. The present report describes findings in an unusual case of PKDL.MethodsWe report an adult male who presented with firm nodules on the face and extremities, along with hypopigmented macules on the neck with deformity and hypoesthesia over the right upper extremity. The patient had experienced similar lesions seven years previously and had used multibacillary multi‐drug therapy for leprosy with complete resolution of the nodules.ResultsAt the current presentation, skin smears from ear lobes and nodules were negative on Ziehl–Neelsen staining. Histopathological examination revealed a dermal lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with plasma cells. Giemsa staining of a tissue smear revealed Leishmania donovani bodies, and an rK39 antigen test was positive. The patient responded well to oral miltefosine.ConclusionsThis case is noteworthy because the patient exhibited an unusual combination of healed leprosy sequelae and active PKDL lesions, which caused a diagnostic dilemma.
Defect closure in the paranasal region: an enduring challenge
Authors: Riml Stefan , Larcher Lorenz , Grohmann Martin , Kompatscher Peter 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundThe paranasal region constitutes a demanding issue for the reconstructive surgeon. Its complex anatomy, with concavity in close contact with convexity, and a high density of functional and aesthetically important facial components demands specific concern. Due to such complexity, numerous procedures for the reconstruction of paranasal defects have been published, including skin grafts and flaps in random pattern or axial style from the glabella, upper lid, nasal root, or cheek.ObjectivesIn this review, we recall classical reconstructive procedures and compare them with innovative procedures that could possibly gain importance in the following years.MethodsWe contrast the pros and cons concerning donor site morbidity, surgical elaborateness, and functional and aesthetic outcome, and substantiate our findings with photographic results from our own patient material.Results and ConclusionThe reconstruction of paranasal defects remains a challenge; nevertheless, the growing toolbox of reconstructive instruments facilitates a perfect reconstructive result.
Quality of care factors associated with unplanned readmissions of older medical patients: a case–control study
Authors: Scott I. A. , Shohag H. , Ahmed M. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractBackgroundUnplanned readmissions befall up to 25% of acutely hospitalised older patients, and many may be potentially preventable.AimTo assess the type and prevalence of quality of care factors associated with potentially preventable readmissions to a tertiary hospital general medicine service.MethodsA retrospective case–control study was undertaken of hospital records of patients 65 years or older admitted acutely between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2010. Readmissions up to 30 days postdischarge (cases) were purposively sampled according to frequencies of primary discharge diagnoses coded during the study period. Non‐readmitted patients (controls), matched according to age, sex and primary discharge diagnosis on index admission, were selected in a 1.7:1 ratio.ResultsOne hundred and thirteen cases and 198 controls were analysed, the former demonstrating a significantly higher comorbidity burden (mean (±standard deviation) comorbidity score 6.6 (±2.2) vs 5.6 (±2.4), P = 0.003) and a higher proportion of individuals with one or more hospitalisations over the preceding 6 months (55.7% vs 8.1%, P < 0.001). Among readmitted patients, 50 (44.3%) were associated with one or more quality factors versus 23 (11.6%) controls (P < 0.001). The most common were: failure to develop/activate an advance care plan (18, 15.9% vs 2, 1.0%; P < 0.001); suboptimal management of presenting illness (13, 11.4% vs 0, 0%; P < 0.001); inadequate assessment of functional limitations (11, 9.7% vs 0, 0%; P < 0.001); and potentially preventable complication of therapy (8, 7.1% vs 1, 0.5%, P = 0.002).ConclusionsQuality of care factors are more common among readmitted than among non‐readmitted older patients suggesting potential for remedial strategies. Such strategies may still have limited effects as older, frail patients with advanced diseases and multimorbidity will likely retain a high propensity for readmission despite optimal care.
Avocado/soybean unsaponifiables: a novel regulator of cutaneous wound healing, modelling and remodelling
Authors: Oryan Ahmad , Mohammadalipour Adel , Moshiri Ali , Tabandeh Mohammad R. 
Published: December 2013

AbstractWe investigated the effects of avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) on the healing response of cutaneous wound defect in rats. Sixty male rats were randomly divided into three groups including control, vehicle and treatment (n = 20 in each group). A 2 × 2 cm2 wound defect was made on the dorsum. The control, vehicle and treatment groups were treated daily with topical application of saline, cream and cream/ASU for 10 days, respectively. The wounds were monitored daily. The animals were euthanised at 10, 20 and 30 days post injury (D). The dry matter, hydroxyproline, collagen, n‐acetyl glucosamine (NAGLA) and n‐acetyl galactosamine (NAGAA) contents of the skin samples were measured and the histopathological and biomechanical characteristics of the samples were investigated. Statistics of P < 0·05 was considered significant. Treatment significantly increased tissue glycosaminoglycans and collagen contents at various stages of wound healing compared to controls. Treatment modulated inflammation, improved fibroplasia and produced high amounts of scar tissue at short term. At long term, treatment reduced the scar tissue size and increased the quality and rate of wound contraction and reepithelisation compared to controls. The treated lesions were more cosmetically pleasing and had significantly higher biomechanical characteristics than controls. ASU was effective in rat wound healing.
Use of fibrin monomer complex for screening for venous thromboembolism in the late pregnancy and post‐partum period
Authors: Kawamura Makoto , Fukuda Naoko , Suzuki Ayako , Kobayashi Yusuke , Matsuda Miho , Kanda Rieko , Kiseki Hisami , Tsukahara Yutaka , Hashimura Naohiko 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimWe measured fibrin monomer complex (FMC) levels in all subjects who gave birth at our hospital and evaluated the feasibility of using FMC for screening for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients during late pregnancy and the post‐partum period.MethodsFrom August 2010 to January 2012, all women who gave birth at our hospital were included. FMC and D‐dimer levels were determined during the late pregnancy and post‐partum periods. Compression ultrasonography of the lower extremities was performed in women with high FMC values.ResultsOf the 673 women enrolled, measurements were performed in 595 women (88.4%) during late pregnancy and in 610 women (90.6%) during the post‐partum period. The FMC levels were normal during late pregnancy in 400 women (67.2%) and during the post‐partum period in 399 women (78.5%) having vaginal delivery and 83 women (81.4%) who underwent a cesarean section. The FMC levels were abnormal during late pregnancy in 50 women (8.4%) and during the post‐partum period in nine women (1.8%) having vaginal delivery and in none (0%) who underwent a cesarean section. Ultrasonography detected thrombi in three (6.0%) women during late pregnancy. The FMC levels were strongly correlated with D‐dimer levels (R = 0.726, P < 0.0001, in late pregnancy; and R = 0.888, P < 0.0001, in the post‐partum period following vaginal delivery).ConclusionFMC levels could identify pregnancy‐related abnormalities requiring compression ultrasonography examination, without changing the cut‐off values for non‐pregnant individuals. Thus, this marker may be used to screen for VTE.
Effect of cytochrome P‐450 epoxygenase and hydroxylase metabolites on rat myometrium contractility in non‐pregnancy, late pregnancy and late pregnancy under inflammatory conditions
Authors: Corriveau Stéphanie , Berthiaume Maryse , Girard Isabelle , Nolin Marc‐Antoine , Rousseau Eric , Pasquier Jean‐Charles 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimThe aim of the present experimental study was to assess the tocolytic effect of eicosanoids on myometrium from non‐pregnant and pregnant rats with or without an induced inflammatory condition.MethodsThree hundred myometrial rings were obtained by median laparotomy from 50 Sprague–Dawley rats divided into three groups: (i) non‐pregnant (n = 15); (ii) pregnant in absence (n = 20); or (iii) pregnant in presence (n = 15) of lipopolysaccharide treatment, timed at 22 days of pregnancy. Spontaneous contractile activities were compared by isometric tension measurements. The effects of epoxy‐ and hydroxyeicosanoids derived from arachidonic acid as well as specific enzyme inhibitors were assessed. Changes were expressed as percentage of basal activity by calculating the area under the curve as a function of drug concentration and compared to the effect of the vehicle.ResultsA decrease in contractile activity ranging 10–25% was observed upon addition of epoxy‐ and hydroxyeicosanoids. Increasing epoxyeicosanoid bioavailability by inhibiting their degradation induced a tocolytic effect in the non‐pregnant group (20%) and in inflammation‐induced condition (40%). There was a significant difference in reactivity between groups and pregnancy condition. Semiquantification of metabolic enzymes that produce (cytochrome P‐450 epoxygenase) and degrade (soluble epoxide hydrolase) epoxyeicosanoids by western blot analysis revealed that these enzymes were mainly detected in the non‐pregnant group.ConclusionEicosanoids can modify myometrial reactivity and their presence and effects are amplified in non‐pregnant and in inflammation‐induced condition. Our data suggest that in contrast to prostaglandins, epoxyeicosatrienoic acids are likely involved in the quiescence phase of parturition because they reduce the rhythmic contractile activity of uterine tissues in pregnant rats.
Prospective study of the MD‐twin score for antepartum evaluation of monochorionic diamniotic twins and its correlation with perinatal outcomes
Authors: Oohashi Masanao , Kaneko Masatoki , Sameshima Hiroshi , Kodama Yuki , Ikenoue Tsuyomu 
Published: December 2013

AbstractAimTo assess the outcome of monochorionic diamniotic (MD) twins with the aid of the MD‐twin score.MethodsWe enrolled 112 MD‐twin women in a tertiary perinatal center from 1997 to 2009. The MD‐twin score was prospectively applied once per week to women who did not have twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) after 26 weeks of gestation. The MD‐twin score consists of five variables: (i) fetal weight discordance; (ii) amniotic fluid discordance; (iii) hydrops fetalis; (iv) umbilical cord insertion; and (v) fetal heart rate monitoring. Normal was assigned a value of 0, abnormal was assigned 1, and total score was used for evaluation. Women with scores of 2 at 26 weeks gestation were managed expectantly until the score reached 3. Outcome measures were fetal death, neonatal death and neurological sequelae. The incidence of poor outcome according to score was investigated. The characteristics of MD twins with poor outcome were investigated.ResultsMD‐twin scores were applied to 90 women. Among them, 79 had scores of 2 or less and all had good outcomes. There were 11 women with a score of 3, four of whom had adverse outcome for at least one twin. Neonates born to women with scores of 0–2 had good outcomes without respect to birthweight percentile, while neonates with scores of 3 had poor outcomes when their birthweight percentile was less than the third percentile.ConclusionThe MD‐twin score is applicable to 90% of MD twins without TTTS. An MD‐twin score of 2 is reassuring, while a score of 3 indicates increased risks for adverse outcome.
Association between oral DNA‐HPV and genital DNA‐HPV
Authors: Vidotti Lisandra Rocha , Vidal Flávia Castello Branco , Monteiro Sally Cristina Moutinho , Nunes Jomar Diogo , Salgado João Victor , Brito Luciane Maria Oliveira , Lopes Fernanda Ferreira 
Published: December 2013

BackgroundHuman papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases worldwide and is observed in both men and women. The presence of the virus is often associated with benign and malignant neoplasms of the oral cavity. We wished to investigate whether HPV infection in the genitalia was associated with HPV infection in the oral mucosa.MethodsThe prevalence of HPV in the oral cavity and genitalia was evaluated by DNA extraction from genital and oral cavity samples of 105 women, followed by nested PCR.Results and ConclusionsThe prevalence of HPV in the oral cavity was significantly higher in women who had genital HPV (P < 0.0001). Oral sex, alcohol, and tobacco consumption were not associated with the oral HPV infection.
Associations Among Text Messaging, Academic Performance, and Sexual Behaviors of Adolescents
Authors: Perry Raymond C.W. , Braun Rebecca , Cantu Michelle , Dudovitz Rebecca N. , Sheoran Bhupendra , Chung Paul J. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDText messaging is an increasingly common mode of communication, especially among adolescents, and frequency of texting may be a measure of one's sociability. This study examined how text messaging (“texting”) frequency and academic performance are associated with adolescent sexual behaviors.METHODSA cross‐sectional survey was administered to students at a public charter high school in Los Angeles County, CA. Two hundred fifty‐six high school students aged 14‐20 years participated. Outcome measures were history of vaginal sex, condom use, and worries about pregnancy. The main predictors were text messaging frequency and self‐reported academic performance.RESULTSIn general, students with lower grades were more likely to have had vaginal sex. Greater texting frequency, however, was associated with vaginal sex only among students with higher grades. In addition, despite similar rates of condom use, sexually active students who both had good grades and texted frequently were more likely than others to have thought they or their partner might be pregnant.CONCLUSIONSThe association between texting and sexual behaviors may vary based on adolescent's academic performance. Adolescent sexual health interventions may benefit from using a combination of sociability measures (such as texting frequency) and academic performance as risk predictors.
Relationship of Weight‐Based Teasing and Adolescents' Psychological Well‐Being and Physical Health
Authors: Greenleaf Christy , Petrie Trent A. , Martin Scott B. 
Published: December 2013

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDTo date, research has focused primarily on psychological correlates of weight‐based teasing. In this study, we extended previous work by also examining physical health‐related variables (eg, physical self‐concept and physical fitness [PF]).METHODSParticipants included 1419 middle school students (637 boys and 782 girls). Of these, 245 (17.3%) reported being teased about being overweight. Participants completed measures of self‐esteem, depression, physical self‐concept, physical activity (PA) self‐efficacy, and self‐report physical and sedentary activities. Participants also completed PF testing.RESULTSAfter controlling for demographic characteristics, participants who were teased about being overweight had higher scores on depression and lower scores on self‐esteem, physical self‐concept, PA self‐efficacy, and health‐related measures of PF in comparison to participants who were not teased.CONCLUSIONSThe results of this study support previous research indicating relationships between teasing and low levels of psychological well‐being, physical self‐concept, and PA self‐efficacy, and establishes one between weight‐based teasing and different types of PF. Research is needed to determine the potential causal nature of the relationships between teasing and fitness and evidence‐based interventions are needed to reduce weight‐based teasing and its potential effects on health and well‐being.