bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Trade‐off between light interception efficiency and light use efficiency: implications for species coexistence in one‐sided light competition
Authors: Onoda Yusuke , Saluñga Jema B. , Akutsu Kosuke , Aiba Shin‐ichiro , Yahara Tetsukazu , Anten Niels P. R. 
Published: October 2013

Summary

Taller plant species can pre‐empt solar energy and suppress growth of subordinate species in vegetation stands, which is described through one‐sided competition. Yet, in much of the world's vegetation species of different statures coexist. This study aims to clarify the mechanisms underlying this apparent paradox.

We quantified how co‐occurring species and individuals intercepted and used light for growth in a mature, warm‐temperate evergreen forest. This was performed by determining the 3D distribution of foliage and light with a ground‐based lidar system in combination with nondestructive measurements of plant growth.

Taller trees intercepted light more efficiently per unit of above‐ground biomass than shorter trees did (=higher light interception efficiency, LIE). However, taller trees tended to have lower biomass production per unit light interception (=lower light use efficiency, LUE). Reduced LUE in taller trees was associated with their higher biomass allocation to nonphotosynthetic organs and probably with over‐saturated light intensity for photosynthesis at high canopy positions. Due to the increased LIE and decreased LUE with tree heights, a trade‐off between LIE and LUE was found, and this trade‐off resulted in trees of different statures having similar relative growth rates.

Synthesis. Light competition drives trees to grow taller, and the light interception efficiency is higher in taller trees; however, this benefit comes at a cost of decreased efficiency of light use for growth. This trade‐off allows trees of different statures to grow at proportionally comparable rates and may promote coexistence of tree species in one‐sided light competition.
The Unsolved Puzzle: Pacific Asia's Voting Cohesion in the United Nations General Assembly—A Response to Peter Ferdinand
Authors: Burmester Nicolas , Jankowski Michael 
Published: October 2013

Research Highlights and Abstract This article Offers a refined research design for analysing voting cohesion in the United Nations General Assembly; Demonstrates that ASEAN's integration process is unlikely to explain the observed high level of voting cohesion in Pacific Asia; Specifies the ASEAN-China and ASEAN-Japan alignment; Shows that the alignment of South Korea is closer with the USA than with North Korea in contested votes in the United Nations General Assembly. In this paper, we propose a refined research agenda for analysing voting cohesion in the United Nations General Assembly. Although we respond specifically to Ferdinand, our four points of critique and suggestions concerning the research design are applicable to a larger corpus of literature. First, we include a longer period of observation to interpret the effects of regional integration. Second, we demonstrate the necessity to control for the year of accession of member states. Third, we propose to look at time series rather than arithmetical means to compare changes in voting cohesion. Finally, we exclude nearly unanimous votes from our analysis to enhance the explanatory values of our cases. This refined design has important effects on the analysis of Pacific Asia's voting cohesion in the UNGA. We conclude from our findings that regional integration is unlikely to explain the high level of voting cohesion within ASEAN and the region.
Response to a Response
Authors: Ferdinand Peter 
Published: October 2013

Research Highlights This article Restates the differences in focus between the original article and the Response, which justifies the choice of 1974 as the starting date for analysis. Accepts the more nuanced analysis of the voting convergence of the ASEAN states. Restates the considerations leading to the decision to include all the UNGA resolutions in the period chosen as the basis of the analysis, rather than a filtered selection. Argues that these two articles provide hypotheses for further qualitative as well as quantitative analysis of the factors determining the voting behaviour of Pacific Asian states.
Surgical management of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava thrombus
Authors: Lok Hon‐Ting , Chan Eddie S.Y. , Hou Simon S.M. , Yip Sidney K.H. , Ng Chi‐Fai 
Published: October 2013

AimThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the short‐term outcome of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombus treated by radical nephrectomy and IVC thrombectomy.Patients and MethodsTen consecutive patients who underwent surgery for renal cell carcinoma with IVC thrombus between August 2008 and November 2011 were studied retrospectively in terms of clinical presentation, intraoperative details, surgical approaches, pathology and outcomes.ResultsTen patients were treated surgically for renal cell carcinoma. They all had renal vein and IVC involvement (Neves–Zincke classification: level I: n = 1, level II: n = 3, level III: n = 3, level IV: n = 3). The majority presented with gross haematuria (80 per cent) and various degrees of anaemia (70 per cent). Mean operation time was 404 min. Intraoperative blood loss ranged from 400 mL to 13500 mL. One postoperative death was recorded, and intraoperative and postoperative morbidities (tumour thrombus pulmonary embolism, IVC thrombosis, retroperitoneal fluid collection) complicated recovery in four patients. Evidence of disease progression was observed in seven patients (70 per cent) upon follow up.ConclusionRenal cell carcinoma with IVC extension is a challenging disease entity. Despite the technical demand and high morbidity, radical nephrectomy plus IVC thrombectomy can be performed with reasonable outcomes in a local centre with multidisciplinary support.
Changes in free amino acids and polyamine levels in Satsuma leaves in response to Asian citrus psyllid infestation and water stress
Authors: Malik Nasir S. A. , Perez Jose L. , Kunta Madhurababu , Patt Joseph M. , Mangan Robert L. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractThe effects of biotic and abiotic stresses on changes in amino acids and polyamine levels in Satsuma orange (Citrus unshiu; cultivar Owari) leaves were investigated. Asian citrus psyllids Diaphorina citri (Kuwayama) (ACP) infestation was used to induce biotic stress while a water deficit was imposed to induce abiotic stress. Potted trees were infested by placing 50 psyllids on 3 citrus leaves enclosed in nylon mesh bags for 5 d. A parallel set of plants were kept water stressed by maintaining the soil at 20% water holding capacity for 5 d. Levels of total free amino acids were higher in water stressed and ACP infested leaves. Polyamine putrescine increased in infested leaves but not in water stressed leaves. Proline was the most abundant amino acid and its levels significantly increased by both biotic and abiotic stresses. Proline levels in infested leaves were significantly higher than the water stressed leaves. Histidine, methionine, asparagine, arginine, serine, and leucine levels also increased significantly in infested leaves, but in water stressed leaves only leucine, methionine, and threonine increased. Levels of amino acids, such as tyrosine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, glutamic acid, and alanine, declined in infested leaves. Under water stress asparagine, phenylalanine, serine, and histidine also declined compared to controls. This indicates that while proteolysis occurred under both stresses, metabolic conversion of amino acids was different under the two stresses. In ACP infested leaves some amino acids may be used as feeding material and/or converted into secondary metabolites for defense.
Pilot Projects for Improving Product Tracing along the Food Supply System
Authors: Bhatt Tejas , Hickey Caitlin , McEntire Jennifer C. 
Published: October 2013

AbstractIn September 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) to execute product tracing pilot projects as described in Section 204 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). IFT collaborated with representatives from more than 100 organizations—including the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, state departments of agriculture and public health, industry, and consumer groups, as well as not‐for‐profit organizations—to implement the pilots. The objectives of the pilot projects were 1) to identify and gather information on methods to improve product tracing of foods in the supply chain and 2) to explore and evaluate methods to rapidly and effectively identify the recipient of food to prevent or mitigate a foodborne illness outbreak and to address credible threats of serious adverse health consequences or death to humans or animals as a result of such food being adulterated or misbranded. IFT conducted evaluations to determine the impact of currently available technologies, types of data and formats, and the data acquisition process, as well as the use of technology on the ability to follow product movement through the supply chain. Results from the pilots found inconsistencies in the terminology, numbering systems, formatting, legibility, and occasionally the language that sometimes required IFT to contact the submitting firm to gain clarity, thus increasing the time required to capture data before any meaningful analysis could begin. However, the pilot participants appeared to have many of the tools and processes in place which are required to allow the capture and communication of critical track and trace information (such as, key data elements) at critical points of product transfer and transformation (such as, critical tracking events). IFT determined that costs associated with implementing a product tracing system can vary widely as determined by numerous factors: the size of the firm/facility, the method of product tracing already in use (manual or electronic), and the range of each firm's capabilities to implement or improve its product tracing system, to name a few. IFT found that there are several areas (such as uniformity and standardization, improved recordkeeping, enhanced planning and preparedness, better coordination and communication, and the use of technology) in which industry improvements and enhancements to FDA's processes would enable tracebacks and traceforwards to occur more rapidly. IFT developed 10 recommendations for FDA to consider for improving the state of system‐wide food product tracing. The recommendations outlined in the report will enable FDA to conduct more rapid and effective investigations during foodborne illness outbreaks and other product tracing investigations, thus significantly enhancing protection of public health.
Expression of HPV‐related biomarkers and grade of cervical intraepithelial lesion at treatment
Authors: Valasoulis George , Stasinou Sofia‐Melina , Nasioutziki Maria , Athanasiou Antonis , Zografou Maria , Spathis Aris , Loufopoulos Aristotelis , Karakitsos Petros , Paraskevaidis Evangelos , Kyrgiou Maria 
Published: October 2013

AbstractObjectivesNew human papillomavirus (HPV)‐related biomarkers may allow better identification of clinically significant lesions that warrant excision and, conversely, identification of the false positive cases that have been overreported by traditional techniques. The aim of this study was to investigate how the expression of several HPV‐related biomarkers correlates to the severity of the lesion at treatment.DesignProspective observational study.SettingUniversity Hospital (2009–2011).PopulationAll women submitted for excisional treatment.MethodsA liquid‐based cytology sample was obtained before treatment and was tested for HPV typing, mRNA E6 & E7 with NASBA or flow cytometry and p16. All women had histological diagnosis in the form of excisional cone (gold standard).Main outcome measuresCorrelation of HPV biomarker positivity rates to the grade of the lesion at treatment histology.ResultsTwo hundred women were recruited: 23 were found to have negative histology (11.5%), 79 (39.5%) CIN1, 50 (25.0%) CIN2 and 48 (24.0%) CIN3. All biomarkers (HPV DNA typing, HR HPV, single HPV 16/18, mRNA E6 & E7 expression and p16) revealed an increased linear positivity rate with increasing severity and grade of the lesion (chi‐squared test for trend p < 0.05). This was stronger for HPV (all and high‐risk) followed by mRNA with NASBA, flow cytometry, HPV 16/18 and ultimately p16 immunostaining.ConclusionsThe linear correlation between various HPV‐related biomarkers and the grade of the lesion suggests that these biomarkers may prove to be useful in the prediction of CIN grade and, as a result, the need for treatment.
Effects of the menstrual cycle on bipolar disorder
Authors: Teatero Missy L , Mazmanian Dwight , Sharma Verinder 
Published: October 2013

ObjectivesSeveral lines of research suggest that reproductive events may affect the course of bipolar disorder (BD) in some women. With respect to the menstrual cycle, the focus has been on dysphoric symptoms [e.g., premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)], and the exacerbation of depression, in the premenstrual phase. This article reviews the literature on the potential effects of the menstrual cycle on BD.MethodsA systematic search for published case reports and research studies available through March, 2013 was conducted. Several combinations of search terms were entered into PubMed and PsycInfo.ResultsOverall, 25 case reports, ten retrospective studies, and 11 prospective studies were identified. The majority (64%) of case reports involved hypomanic or manic episodes in the premenstrual phase. Retrospective results suggest that 25–77% and 15–27% of women with BD meet the criteria for premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and PMDD, respectively. Menstrual cycle‐related mood changes were reported by 64–68% of women with BD in retrospective studies, and were displayed by 44–65% of women in prospective studies.ConclusionsAlthough research has focused on the premenstrual phase to the neglect of the periovulatory phase, it appears that a subgroup of women with BD, possibly those with hormonal sensitivity, experience menstrual cycle effects on depressive, hypomanic, and manic episodes. These phase‐episode effects appear to be heterogeneous and may have implications for treatment. Whether they might best be described using course specifiers, similar to postpartum onset and rapid cycling, or as diagnostic entities, like PMDD, requires further study.
Does body mass index impact the outcomes of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy?
Authors: Kuntz Nicholas J. , Neisius Andreas , Astroza Gastón M. , Tsivian Matvey , Iqbal Muhammad W. , Youssef Ramy , Ferrandino Michael N. , Preminger Glenn M. , Lipkin Michael E. 
Published: October 2013

Objective
To evaluate whether body mass index (BMI) has an impact on the outcomes of tubeless percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).
Patients and Methods
We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent tubeless PCNL at our institution from 2006 to 2011.
Specifically, stone‐free rates, complications, and hospital length of stay (LOS) were assessed.
Patients were divided into four groups based on BMI: <25, 25–29.9, 30–34.9 and ≥35 kg/m2.
Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared between BMI groups. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to evaluate the independent contribution of BMI as a predictor of outcomes.
Results
We identified 268 patients who fulfilled study requirements. The overall stone‐free and complication rates were 52.5% and 19.0%, respectively.
Minor and severe complication comprised 10.4% and 8.6%, respectively.
Univariate and multivariable analyses showed no association between BMI and stone‐free or complication rates.
However, patients with a normal BMI had significantly higher transfusion rates (P = 0.005), and were significantly more likely to have a prolonged LOS (≥2 days), when compared with an overweight BMI (P = 0.032)
Conclusions
BMI did not impact the stone‐free, or complication rates of tubeless PCNL.
Normal BMI was found to be a risk factor for prolonged LOS, which may be due to an increase in clinically significant bleeding in this patient population. Tubeless PCNL appears to be a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of complex renal calculi, independent of BMI.
Multicentre prospective crossover study of the ‘prostatic urethral lift’ for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia
Authors: Cantwell Anthony L. , Bogache William K. , Richardson Steven F. , Tutrone Ronald F. , Barkin Jack , Fagelson James E. , Chin Peter T. , Woo Henry H. 
Published: October 2013

Objective
To assess the clinical effect of the ‘prostatic urethral lift’ (PUL) on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) through a crossover design study.
Patients and Methods
Men aged ≥50 years with an International Prostate Symptom Score of ≥13, a maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) of ≤12 mL/s, and a prostate of 30–80 mL were enrolled into a crossover study after completing a prospective, randomised, controlled, ‘blinded’ pivotal study in which they were control subjects receiving a sham procedure.
Patients were followed for 1 year after crossover PUL at 19 centres in the USA, Canada and Australia. The sham procedure involved rigid cystoscopy with simulated active treatment sounds.
PUL involved placing permanent UroLift® (NeoTract, Inc., Pleasanton, CA, USA) implants into the lateral lobes of the prostate to enlarge the urethral lumen.
Urinary symptom relief, health‐related quality of life (HRQL) impact, urinary flow parameters, sexual function, and adverse events were assessed and compared between the sham and PUL using paired statistical analysis.
Results
Symptom, flow, HRQL and sexual function assessments showed response improvements from baseline results, similar to results from other published studies, and most parameters were markedly improved after PUL vs the sham procedure in the same patients.
Symptom, flow, and HRQL improvements were durable over the 12 months of the study.
Adverse events associated with the procedure were typically transient and mild to moderate; one patient (2%) required re‐intervention with transurethral resection of the prostate in the first year.
There were no occurrences of de novo, sustained ejaculatory or erectile dysfunction.
Conclusion
The PUL can be performed under local anaesthesia, causes minimal associated perioperative complications, allows patients to quickly return to normal activity, provides rapid and durable improvement in symptoms, and preserves sexual function.
Evaluation of urinary prostate cancer antigen‐3 (PCA3) and TMPRSS2‐ERG score changes when starting androgen‐deprivation therapy with triptorelin 6‐month formulation in patients with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Martínez‐Piñeiro Luis , Schalken Jack A. , Cabri Patrick , Maisonobe Pascal , de la Taille Alexandre ,   Triptocare Study Group
Published: October 2013

ObjectiveTo assess prostate cancer antigen‐3 (PCA3) and TMPRSS2‐ERG scores in patients with advanced and metastatic prostate cancer at baseline and after 6 months of treatment with triptorelin 22.5 mg, and analyse these scores in patient‐groups defined by different disease characteristics.Patients and MethodsThe Triptocare study was a prospective, open‐label, multicentre, single‐arm, Phase III study of triptorelin 22.5 mg in men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, who were naïve to androgen‐deprivation therapy (ADT).The primary objective was to model the urinary PCA3 change at 6 months, according to baseline variables.Other outcome measures included urinary PCA3 and TMPRSS2‐ERG scores and statuses, and serum testosterone and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) levels at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months after initiation of ADT.Safety was assessed by recording adverse events and changes in laboratory parameters.ResultsThe intent‐to‐treat population comprised 322 patients; 39 (12.1%) had non‐assessable PCA3 scores at baseline, and 109/322 (33.9%), 215/313 (68.7%) and 232/298 (77.9%) had non‐assessable PCA3 scores at 1, 3 and 6 months, respectively.Baseline Gleason score was the only variable associated with non‐assessability of PCA3 score at 6 months (P = 0.017) – the hazard of having a non‐assessable PCA3 score at 6 months was 1.824‐fold higher (95% confidence interval 1.186–2.805) in patients with a Gleason score ≥8 vs those with a Gleason score ≤6.The median PCA3 scores at baseline were significantly higher in patients aged ≥65 years vs those aged <65 years and in patients with a serum PSA level <100 ng/mL vs those with serum PSA level of >200 ng/mL. The median PCA3 score was significantly lower in patients with metastasis than in patients with no metastasis or unknown metastasis status.TMPRSS2‐ERG scores ≥35 were considered positive (n = 149 [51.6%]). Age, presence of metastasis, PSA level and Gleason score at baseline were not associated with a significant difference in the proportion of TMPRSS2‐ERG‐positive scores.The median serum PSA levels decreased from 45.5 ng/mL at baseline to 1.2 ng/mL after 6 months, and as expected, >90% of patients achieved castrate levels of testosterone (<50 ng/dL) at 1, 3, and 6 months during triptorelin treatment. The safety profile reported from this study is consistent with the known safety profile of triptorelin.ConclusionThese data from the Triptocare study suggest that urinary PCA3 or TMPRSS2‐ERG score are not reliable markers of cancer stage in advanced prostate cancer.Urinary PCA3 and TMPRSS2‐ERG scores do not appear to be useful in assessing response to ADT in advanced prostate cancer, with most patients having non‐assessable scores after 6 months of treatment.
Bladder cancer incidence and mortality in patients treated with radiation for uterine cancer
Authors: Baack Kukreja Janet E. , Scosyrev Emil , Brasacchio Ralph A. , Toy Eugene P. , Messing Edward M. , Wu Guan 
Published: October 2013

Objective
To estimate the effect of radiation therapy (RT) administered for uterine cancer (UtC) on bladder cancer (BC) incidence, tumour characteristics at presentation, and mortality.
Patients and Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, records of 56 681 patients diagnosed with UtC as their first primary malignancy during 1980–2005 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End‐Results (SEER) database. Follow‐up for incident BC ended on 31 December 2008.
Occurrences of BC diagnoses and BC deaths in patients with UtC managed with or without RT were summarised with counts and person‐time incidence rates (counts divided by person‐years of observation). Age adjustment of rates was performed by direct standardisation.
Incident BC cases were described in terms of histological types, grades and stages.
Results
With a mean follow‐up of 15 years, BC was diagnosed in 146 (0.93%) of 15 726 patients with UtC managed with RT, and in 197 (0.48%) of 40 955 patients with UtC managed without RT, with an age‐adjusted rate ratio of 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6–2.5).
Fatal BC occurred in 39 (0.25%) and 36 (0.09%) of patients with UtC managed with vs without RT, respectively, with an age‐adjusted rate ratio of 2.9 (95% CI 1.8–4.6).
Incident BC cases diagnosed in patients with UtC managed with vs without RT had similar distributions of histological types, grades, and stages.
Conclusions
Use of RT for UtC is associated with increased BC incidence and mortality later in life.
Heightened awareness should help identify women with new voiding symptoms or haematuria, all of which should be fully evaluated.