A Standardized Ecosystem Classification for the Coordination and Design of Long-term Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring in Arctic-Subarctic Biomes

A Canadian Arctic-Subarctic Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (CASBEC) is proposed as a standardized classification approach for Subarctic and Arctic terrestrial ecosystems across Canada and potentially throughout the circumpolar area. The CASBEC is grounded in long-standing terrestrial ecosystem classification theory and builds on concepts developed for ecosystems in British Columbia, Quebec, and Yukon. The fundamental classification unit of the CASBEC, the plant association, is compatible with the lower-level classifications of the Arctic Vegetation Classification (AVC), the Canadian National Vegetation Classification (CNVC), and the United States National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and is used to generate a classification and nomenclature for Arctic and Subarctic terrestrial ecological communities. The use of a multi-scalar ecosystem framework, such as that developed by the British Columbia Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification, provides an ecological context to use classified plant associations to delineate and define climatically equivalent regional scale climate units (biogeoclimatic subzones) and ecologically equivalent local-scale site units within biogeoclimatic subzones. A standardized framework and taxonomy of ecosystem classification for Subarctic and Arctic terrestrial ecological communities will facilitate the planning, coordination, and applicability of terrestrial ecological monitoring and research. The CASBEC classification and high-resolution ecosystem mapping are being used to develop an effective experimental design, to select ecosite types for long-term monitoring, and to extrapolate results to landscape scales in the Experimental and Reference Area of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) in Cambridge Bay. Widespread adoption of the CASBEC could provide a spatial and functionally scalable framework and a common language for interpreting, integrating, coordinating, and communicating Arctic and Subarctic monitoring, research, and land management activities across the Canadian North and around the circumpolar area.Une classification biogéoclimatique arctique et subarctique canadienne (Canadian Arctic-Subarctic Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification, ou CASBEC) est proposée en tant que méthode de classification standardisée pour les écosystèmes terrestres arctiques et subarctiques pancanadiens, et peut-être même pour les écosystèmes de la région circumpolaire. CASBEC s’appuie sur une théorie de classification des écosystèmes terrestres de longue date et sur des concepts mis au point pour les écosystèmes de la Colombie-Britannique, du Québec et du Yukon. L’unité de classification fondamentale de CASBEC, soit l’association végétale, est compatible avec les classifications de niveau inférieur de la classification de la végétation de l’Arctique (Arctic Vegetation Classification, ou AVC), de la Classification nationale de la végétation du Canada (CNVC) et de la classification nationale de la végétation des États-Unis (USNVC). Elle permet de produire une classification et une nomenclature pour les communautés écologiques terrestres arctiques et subarctiques. Le recours à un cadre écosystémique multiscalaire, comme celui élaboré par la classification écosystémique biogéoclimatique de la Colombie-Britannique, fournit un contexte écologique permettant d’utiliser les associations végétales classifiées pour délimiter et définir les unités climatiques régionales à l’échelle climatiquement équivalentes (sous-zones biogéoclimatiques) et les unités écologiquement équivalentes de sites d’envergure locale à l’intérieur des sous-zones biogéoclimatiques. La mise en place d’une taxonomie et d’un cadre standardisés de classification des écosystèmes des communautés écologiques terrestres arctiques et subarctiques facilitera la planification, la coordination et l’applicabilité des travaux de surveillance et de recherche écologique terrestre. La classification CASBEC et la cartographie des écosystèmes en haute résolution sont employées pour mettre au point une conception expérimentale efficace, pour sélectionner des types d’écosites à des fins de surveillance à long terme ainsi que pour extrapoler les résultats à l’échelle des paysages dans la zone d’expérimentation et de référence de la Station canadienne de recherche dans l’Extrême-Arctique (SCREA) à Cambridge Bay. L’adoption de CASBEC à grande échelle pourrait fournir un cadre spatial et fonctionnellement extensible de même qu’un langage commun pour interpréter, intégrer, coordonner et communiquer les activités de surveillance, de recherche et de gestion des terres arctiques et subarctiques à la grandeur du Nord canadien et de l’ensemble de la région circumpolaire

Isolated Meningeal Recurrence of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder

Meningeal carcinomatosis occurs in 1–18% of patients with solid tumours, most commonly carcinomas of the breast and lung or melanomas. There are relatively few reports of meningeal carcinomatosis in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Isolated meningeal recurrence is particularly uncommon, and we present an unusual case of this in a 58-year-old man. The case was further complicated by the somewhat atypical presentation with a confirmed ischaemic stroke. The patient died one month after presentation

Elevated preoperative Galectin-3 is associated with acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery

Abstract Background Previous research suggests that novel biomarkers may be used to identify patients at increased risk of acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between preoperative levels of circulating Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and acute kidney injury after cardiac surgery. Methods Preoperative serum Gal-3 was measured in 1498 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and/or valve surgery as part of the Northern New England Biomarker Study between 2004 and 2007. Preoperative Gal-3 levels were measured using multiplex assays and grouped into terciles. Univariate and multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the predictive ability of Gal-3 terciles and AKI occurrence and severity. Results Before adjustment, patients in the highest tercile of Gal-3 had a 2.86-greater odds of developing postoperative KDIGO Stage 2 or 3 (p < 0.001) and 1.70-greater odds of developing KDIGO Stage 1 (p = < 0.001), compared to the first tercile. After adjustment, patients in the highest tercile had 2.95-greater odds of developing KDIGO Stage 2 or 3 (p < 0.001) and 1.71-increased odds of developing KDIGO Stage 1 (p = 0.001), compared to the first tercile. Compared to the base model, the addition of Gal-3 terciles improved discriminatory power compared to without Gal-3 terciles (test of equality = 0.042). Conclusion Elevated preoperative Gal-3 levels significantly improves predictive ability over existing clinical models for postoperative AKI and may be used to augment risk information for patients at the highest risk of developing AKI and AKI severity after cardiac surgery.https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/145735/1/12882_2018_Article_1093.pd

RNA:DNA hybrids are a novel molecular pattern sensed by TLR9.

The sensing of nucleic acids by receptors of the innate immune system is a key component of antimicrobial immunity. RNA:DNA hybrids, as essential intracellular replication intermediates generated during infection, could therefore represent a class of previously uncharacterised pathogen-associated molecular patterns sensed by pattern recognition receptors. Here we establish that RNA:DNA hybrids containing viral-derived sequences efficiently induce pro-inflammatory cytokine and antiviral type I interferon production in dendritic cells. We demonstrate that MyD88-dependent signalling is essential for this cytokine response and identify TLR9 as a specific sensor of RNA:DNA hybrids. Hybrids therefore represent a novel molecular pattern sensed by the innate immune system and so could play an important role in host response to viruses and the pathogenesis of autoimmune disease

Diagnostic importance of pulmonary interleukin-1beta and interleukin-8 in ventilator-associated pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most commonly fatal nosocomial infection. Clinical diagnosis of VAP remains notoriously inaccurate. The hypothesis was tested that significantly augmented inflammatory markers distinguish VAP from conditions closely mimicking VAP. METHODS: A prospective, observational cohort study was carried out in two university hospital intensive care units recruiting 73 patients with clinically suspected VAP, and a semi-urban primary care practice recruiting a reference group of 21 age- and sex-matched volunteers. Growth of pathogens at >10(4) colony-forming units (cfu)/ml of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) distinguished VAP from "non-VAP". Inflammatory mediators were quantified in BALF and serum. Mediators showing significant differences between patients with and without VAP were analysed for diagnostic utility by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Seventy-two patients had recoverable lavage-24% had VAP. BALF interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-8, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha were significantly higher in the VAP group (all p<0.005). Using a cut-off of 10 pg/ml, BALF IL-1beta generated negative likelihood ratios for VAP of 0.09. In patients with BALF IL-1beta <10 pg/ml the post-test probability of VAP was 2.8%. Using a cut-off value for IL-8 of 2 ng/ml, the positive likelihood ratio was 5.03. There was no difference in cytokine levels between patients with sterile BALF and those with growth of <10(4) cfu/ml. CONCLUSIONS: BALF IL-1beta and IL-8 are amongst the strongest markers yet identified for accurately demarcating VAP within the larger population of patients with suspected VAP. These findings have potential implications for reduction in unnecessary antibiotic use but require further validation in larger populations

Development of a Reliable Surgical Quality Assurance System for 2-stage Esophagectomy in Randomized Controlled Trials

Objective: The aim was to develop a reliable surgical quality assurance system for 2-stage esophagectomy. This development was conducted during the pilot phase of the multicenter ROMIO trial, collaborating with international experts. Summary of Background Data: There is evidence that the quality of surgical performance in randomized controlled trials influences clinical outcomes, quality of lymphadenectomy and loco-regional recurrence. Methods: Standardization of 2-stage esophagectomy was based on structured observations, semi-structured interviews, hierarchical task analysis, and a Delphi consensus process. This standardization provided the structure for the operation manual and video and photographic assessment tools. Reliability was examined using generalizability theory. Results: Hierarchical task analysis for 2-stage esophagectomy comprised fifty-four steps. Consensus (75%) agreement was reached on thirty-nine steps, whereas fifteen steps had a majority decision. An operation manual and record were created. A thirty five-item video assessment tool was developed that assessed the process (safety and efficiency) and quality of the end product (anatomy exposed and lymphadenectomy performed) of the operation. The quality of the end product section was used as a twenty seven-item photographic assessment tool. Thirty-one videos and fifty-three photographic series were submitted from the ROMIO pilot phase for assessment. The overall Gcoefficient for the video assessment tool was 0.744, and for the photographic assessment tool was 0.700. Conclusions: A reliable surgical quality assurance system for 2-stage esophagectomy has been developed for surgical oncology randomized controlled trials

Insurgent capitalism: Island, bricolage and the re-making of finance

Drawing on recent discussions of the material cultures of markets and of financial innovation as bricolage, this paper explores the development of Island, a new share-trading venue set up in 1995. We examine Island's roots in a very specific conflict in the US financial markets and in the information libertarianism of 'hacker culture', and examine the material bricolage involved in Island's construction. The paper also outlines the processes that led to a dramatic 'Latourian' change of scale: Island was originally a 'micro' development on the fringes of US markets, but within little more than a decade key features of Island became close to compulsory, as the nature of North American and Western European share trading changed utterly