Genesis, goals and achievements of Long-Term Ecological Research at the global scale: A critical review of ILTER and future directions

Since its founding in 1993 the International Long-term Ecological Research Network (ILTER) has gone through pronounced development phases. The current network comprises 44 active member LTER networks representing 700 LTER Sites and ~80 LTSER Platforms across all continents, active in the fields of ecosystem, critical zone and socio-ecological research. The critical challenges and most important achievements of the initial phase have now become state-of-the-art in networking for excellent science. At the same time increasing integration, accelerating technology, networking of resources and a strong pull for more socially relevant scientific information have been modifying the mission and goals of ILTER. This article provides a critical review of ILTER's mission, goals, development and impacts. Major characteristics, tools, services, partnerships and selected examples of relative strengths relevant for advancing ILTER are presented. We elaborate on the tradeoffs between the needs of the scientific community and stakeholder expectations. The embedding of ILTER in an increasingly collaborative landscape of global environmental observation and ecological research networks and infrastructures is also reflected by developments of pioneering regional and national LTER networks such as SAEON in South Africa, CERN/CEOBEX in China, TERN in Australia or eLTER RI in Europe. The primary role of ILTER is currently seen as a mechanism to investigate ecosystem structure, function, and services in response to a wide range of environmental forcings using long-term, place-based research. We suggest four main fields of activities and advancements for the next decade through development/delivery of a: (1) Global multi-disciplinary community of researchers and research institutes; (2) Strategic global framework and strong partnerships in ecosystem observation and research; (3) Global Research Infrastructure (GRI); and (4) a scientific knowledge factory for societally relevant information on sustainable use of natural resources.

Cluster randomized trial to evaluate the impact of team training on surgical outcomes

Background

The application of safety principles from the aviation industry to the operating room has offered hope in reducing surgical complications. This study aimed to assess the impact on major surgical complications of adding an aviation-based team training programme after checklist implementation.

Methods

A prospective parallel-group cluster trial was undertaken between September 2011 and March 2013. Operating room teams from 31 hospitals were assigned randomly to participate in a team training programme focused on major concepts of crew resource management and checklist utilization. The primary outcome measure was the occurrence of any major adverse event, including death, during the hospital stay within the first 30 days after surgery. Using a difference-in-difference approach, the ratio of the odds ratios (ROR) was estimated to compare changes in surgical outcomes between intervention and control hospitals.

Results

Some 22 779 patients were enrolled, including 5934 before and 16 845 after team training implementation. The risk of major adverse events fell from 8·8 to 5·5 per cent in 16 intervention hospitals (adjusted odds ratio 0·57, 95 per cent c.i. 0·48 to 0·68; P < 0·001) and from 7·9 to 5·4 per cent in 15 control hospitals (odds ratio 0·64, 0·50 to 0·81; P < 0·001), resulting in the absence of difference between arms (ROR 0·90, 95 per cent c.i. 0·67 to 1·21; P = 0·474). Outcome trends revealed significant improvements among ten institutions, equally distributed across intervention and control hospitals.

Conclusion

Surgical outcomes improved substantially, with no difference between trial arms. Successful implementation of an aviation-based team training programme appears to require modification and adaptation of its principles in the context of the the surgical milieu. Registration number: NCT01384474 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

[Ipsilateral dual kidney transplantation: a monocentric experience about 15 cases and literature review]

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to support the viability of the concept of Ipsilateral Dual Kidney Transplantation (DKT) by presenting our initial experience and proposing a review of the literature in this subject.

METHODS

Fifteen ipsilateral DKT were performed at Nice University Hospital between August 2010 and March 2012. We have described our skin incision preferences, the vascular anastomoses, and the uretero-vesical reimplantation. We have analyzed the operative duration, the cold ischemia time (CIT) of both transplants, the blood transfusion volume, the intraoperative and postoperative complications, the time to diuresis recovery, the hospital stay, and the kinetics of the creatinine clearance until the third postoperative month. We have compared our results with those of the literature.

RESULTS

The average CIT of the first transplant (T1) was 17.5 ± 3.3 hours, and that of the second (T2) was 18.4 ± 3.3 hours. The mean operating time was 234 ± 67 minutes. Patients received an average of 2 units of blood during surgery [0-4] and 1.8 units in the postoperative period [0-15]. The complications rate was 26.7% and included an intraoperative T2 artery thrombosis and 3 postoperative complications consistent with a hematoma, a T2 ureteric necrosis and a T2 venous thrombosis. Two transplants were lost (6.7%) and one death (6.7%) was reported on day 40. The average length of hospital stay was 20.9 ± 7.8 days. The mean creatinine clearance values were 12.6 mL/min at D2, 35.6 mL/min at D7, 44.9 mL/min on discharge, and 48.2 mL/min at D90.

CONCLUSION

Our results supported the viability of the dual kidney transplantation concept. Furthermore the ipsilateral approach shortened the procedure and limited the surgical trauma by preserving the contralateral iliac fossa, without compromising renal function recovery or increasing morbidity.

New measurements of high-momentum nucleons and short-range structures in nuclei

We present new measurements of electron scattering from high-momentum nucleons in nuclei. These data allow an improved determination of the strength of two-nucleon correlations for several nuclei, including light nuclei where clustering effects can, for the first time, be examined. The data also include the kinematic region where three-nucleon correlations are expected to dominate.

Scaling of the F2 structure function in nuclei and quark distributions at x>1

We present new data on electron scattering from a range of nuclei taken in Hall C at Jefferson Lab. For heavy nuclei, we observe a rapid falloff in the cross section for x>1, which is sensitive to short-range contributions to the nuclear wave function, and in deep inelastic scattering corresponds to probing extremely high momentum quarks. This result agrees with higher energy muon scattering measurements, but is in sharp contrast to neutrino scattering measurements which suggested a dramatic enhancement in the distribution of the "superfast" quarks probed at x>1. The falloff at x>1 is noticeably stronger in 2H and 3He, but nearly identical for all heavier nuclei.

Probing quark-gluon interactions with transverse polarized scattering

We have extracted QCD matrix elements from our data on doubly polarized inelastic scattering of electrons on nuclei. We find the higher twist matrix element d˜2, which arises strictly from quark-gluon interactions, to be unambiguously nonzero. The data also reveal an isospin dependence of higher twist effects if we assume that the Burkhardt-Cottingham sum rule is valid. The fundamental Bjorken sum rule obtained from the a0 matrix element is satisfied at our low momentum transfer.

New measurements of the European Muon Collaboration effect in very light nuclei

New Jefferson Lab data are presented on the nuclear dependence of the inclusive cross section from (2)H, (3)He, (4)He, (9)Be and (12)C for 0.3 < x < 0.9, Q(2) approximately 3-6 GeV(2). These data represent the first measurement of the EMC effect for (3)He at large x and a significant improvement for (4)He. The data do not support previous A-dependent or density-dependent fits to the EMC effect and suggest that the nuclear dependence of the quark distributions may depend on the local nuclear environment.

Effects of postoperative ketamine infusion on pain control and feeding behaviour in bitches undergoing mastectomy

OBJECTIVES

To determine if ketamine administered to bitches at the end of a mastectomy, followed by a six-hour constant rate infusion (CRI), improved postoperative opioid analgesia and feeding behaviour.

METHODS

The bitches were randomised into three groups: the placebo group received 0.09 ml/kg isotonic saline intravenously followed by a six-hour CRI of 0.5 ml/kg/hour, the low-dose ketamine received 150 microg/kg ketamine intravenously followed by a six-hour CRI of 2 microg/kg/minute and the high-dose ketamine group received 700 microg/kg ketamine intravenously followed by a six-hour CRI of 10 microg/kg/minute. Any additional opioids given were recorded at the time of extubation and at intervals after extubation. Food intake was evaluated eight (T8) and 20 (T20) hours after extubation by measuring the per cent coverage of basal energy requirements (BER).

RESULTS

No significant difference was observed for opioid requirements between the three groups. The mean percentages of BER coverage did not differ significantly at T8 but the difference between the high-dose and low-dose ketamine groups (P=0.014), and the high-dose ketamine and placebo groups (P=0.038) was significant at T20.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

This study demonstrated that 700 microg/kg ketamine given intravenously postoperatively followed by a six-hour ketamine CRI of 10 microg/kg/minute improved patient feeding behaviour.

Proton spin structure in the resonance region

We have examined the spin structure of the proton in the region of the nucleon resonances (1.085 GeV<W<1.910 GeV) at an average four momentum transfer of Q2=1.3 GeV2. Using the Jefferson Lab polarized electron beam, a spectrometer, and a polarized solid target, we measured the asymmetries A|| and A(perpendicular) to high precision, and extracted the asymmetries A1 and A2, and the spin structure functions g1 and g2. We found a notably nonzero A(perpendicular), significant contributions from higher-twist effects, and only weak support for polarized quark-hadron duality.

Correlated strength in the nuclear spectral function

We have carried out an (e,e'p) experiment at high momentum transfer and in parallel kinematics to measure the strength of the nuclear spectral function S(k,E) at high nucleon momenta k and large removal energies E. This strength is related to the presence of short-range and tensor correlations, and was known hitherto only indirectly and with considerable uncertainty from the lack of strength in the independent-particle region. This experiment locates by direct measurement the correlated strength predicted by theory.

Measurement of the electric form factor of the neutron at Q2=0.5 and 1.0 GeV2/c2

The electric form factor of the neutron was determined from measurements of the d-->(e-->,e'n)p reaction for quasielastic kinematics. Polarized electrons were scattered off a polarized deuterated ammonia (15ND3) target in which the deuteron polarization was perpendicular to the momentum transfer. The scattered electrons were detected in a magnetic spectrometer in coincidence with neutrons in a large solid angle detector. We find G(n)(E)=0.0526+/-0.0033(stat)+/-0.0026(sys) and 0.0454+/-0.0054+/-0.0037 at Q(2)=0.5 and 1.0 (GeV/c)(2), respectively.

Severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia following rituximab therapy in a patient with a lymphoproliferative disorder

Rituximab (chimeric anti-CD20 IgG1 monoclonal antibody) is effective in the treatment of relapsed/refractory low-grade lymphomas of B-cell origin as well as in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Several reports also demonstrated the efficacy of rituximab for the treatment of autoimmune cytopenia, especially for cold agglutinin disease. We report the first case, to our knowledge, of rituximab-related autoimmune hemolytic anemia. The pathophysiological mechanisms remain unknown, although the drug could act through massive cytokines liberation after destruction of CD20 positive cells by rituximab.

Evaluation of imipenem 1.5 g daily in febrile patients with short duration neutropenia after chemotherapy for non-leukemic hematologic malignancies and solid tumors: personal experience and review of the literature

Numerous studies have demonstrated efficacy of imipenem-cilastatin, 50 mg/kg/day, as first line therapy in febrile patients with neutropenia of short duration consecutive to cytostatic chemotherapy. However, only two studies used low dosage of this antibiotic as 1.5 g/day, in prospective, double blind, randomized clinical trials, in this indication. Efficacy and tolerability of imipenem-cilastatin 0.5 g three times daily IV in 30-min infusions, as first-line empiric therapy, were retrospectively evaluated in our hematological unit. From January 1996 to September 2000, 30 neutropenic patients (12 females) with 45 febrile episodes were included. Median age was 57.5 years (31-75). Twenty-four of them had lymphomas, 4 solid tumors and 2 myelomas. There were 13 clinically documented infections, (CD, 28.8%), 16 microbiologically documented infections, (MD, 35.6%) and 16 febrile episodes corresponding to fever of unknown origin, (FUO, 35.6%). The median neutrophils count on nadir (n = 44), was 67/mm3 (8-369). The median duration of neutropenia was 5 days (3-15). Bacteremia was observed in 10 patients, urinary tract infection in 3 patients. The most frequently isolated microorganism was Escherichia coli. The overall success rate of the first line therapy was 66.7%. Adverse events were observed in 11.1% of the patients without necessity to stop treatment. The MD infections showed a lower rate of success compared with CD infections and FUO. These data were in accordance with the previous studies. The importance of number of microorganisms (p = 0.007) and of infected sites (p = 0.01) appeared as prognostic factors (univariate analysis). Although imipenem-cilastatin has been used in numerous studies as empiric broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy in the treatment of febrile neutropenic cancer patients, the exact dosage of this antibiotic is still not standardized. However, utilization of this antibiotic in monotherapy at low dosage seems to us to be safe and effective as usual dosage in the antimicrobial treatment ofthe febrile patients with post chemotherapy neutropenia of short duration.

Traumatic aortic regurgitation: aortic valvuloplasty controlled by aortoscopy

Traumatic aortic insufficiency is a rare occurrence after blunt chest trauma, and requires surgical treatment. Aortic valve replacement has been proposed as the procedure of choice, but primary valve repair is being performed increasingly more often. In a plead for conservative surgery, we report a case of valvuloplasty that was controlled by intraoperative aortic endoscopy. When operative conditions permit aortic valve repair, this should be carried out in order to avoid aortic valve replacement and its potential complications, especially in young patients with healthy valves. Replacement is the safest treatment for complex or multiple injuries of the aortic valve, however.

Measurement of the electric form factor of the neutron through d-->(e-->,e(')n)p at Q2 = 0.5 (GeV/c)(2)

We report the first measurement using a solid polarized target of the neutron electric form factor G(n)(E) via d-->(e-->,e(')n)p. G(n)(E) was determined from the beam-target asymmetry in the scattering of longitudinally polarized electrons from polarized deuterated ammonia ( 15ND3). The measurement was performed in Hall C at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility in quasifree kinematics with the target polarization perpendicular to the momentum transfer. The electrons were detected in a magnetic spectrometer in coincidence with neutrons in a large solid angle segmented detector. We find G(n)(E) = 0.04632+/-0.00616(stat)+/-0.00341(syst) at Q2 = 0.495 (GeV/c)(2).

Pseudomembranous aspergillus bronchitis in a double-lung transplanted patient: unusual radiographic and CT features

Pseudomembranous aspergillus bronchitis is considered as an early form of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, a well-known airway infection in immunocompromised patients. Radiologic features concerning invasive aspergillosis of the airways have been reported. However, we describe here an unusual feature of invasive aspergillus bronchitis, never reported to date, observed in a double-lung transplanted patient. Chest radiograph and CT revealed significant peribronchial thickening without any parenchymal involvement.

Risk factors for antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli isolated from hospitalized patients with urinary tract infections: a prospective study

From November 1998 to February 1999 we prospectively evaluated the prevalence of resistance to penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenem, quinolones, aminoglycosides, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (SXT) in 320 Escherichia coli isolates isolated from hospitalized patients with acute urinary tract infections (UTIs). We also studied for these strains risk factors for resistance to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (AMC), fluoroquinolones (FQs), and SXT. Resistance rates were consistent with those from major recent studies reported in the literature. Multivariate analyses selected the following factors as being significantly associated with E. coli resistance: (i) for resistance to AMC, prior (1 year) UTI (odds ratio [OR] = 2.71, P = 0.006), prior (1 year) urinary catheter (OR = 2.98, P = 0.0025), and prior (6 months) antibiotic exposure (OR = 2.68, P = 0.005); (ii) for resistance to FQs male sex (OR = 3.87, P = 0.03), with a trend toward significance for age >65 years (OR = 7.67, P = 0.06) and prior (1 year) UTI (OR = 2.98, P = 0.07); and (iii) for resistance to SXT, male sex (OR = 1.91, P = 0.046), hospitalization in an intermediate-term-care unit (OR = 2.18, P = 0.008), and prior (1 year) UTI (OR = 2.03, P = 0.03). Ours results suggest that prior UTI is a common risk factor for resistance to the different antibiotics tested. Although few studies on risk factors for E. coli resistance to antibiotics have been published, careful interpretation of their findings, taking into consideration the population, infection site, and period studied, should contribute to the formulation of a better strategy that can be used to overcome antibiotic resistance.

Selective interaction of AGS3 with G-proteins and the influence of AGS3 on the activation state of G-proteins

AGS3 (activator of G-protein signaling 3) was isolated in a yeast-based functional screen for receptor-independent activators of heterotrimeric G-proteins. As an initial approach to define the role of AGS3 in mammalian signal processing, we defined the AGS3 subdomains involved in G-protein interaction, its selectivity for G-proteins, and its influence on the activation state of G-protein. Immunoblot analysis with AGS3 antisera indicated expression in rat brain, the neuronal-like cell lines PC12 and NG108-15, as well as the smooth muscle cell line DDT(1)-MF2. Immunofluorescence studies and confocal imaging indicated that AGS3 was predominantly cytoplasmic and enriched in microdomains of the cell. AGS3 coimmunoprecipitated with Galpha(i3) from cell and tissue lysates, indicating that a subpopulation of AGS3 and Galpha(i) exist as a complex in the cell. The coimmunoprecipitation of AGS3 and Galpha(i) was dependent upon the conformation of Galpha(i3) (GDP GTPgammaS (guanosine 5'-3-O-(thio)triphosphate)). The regions of AGS3 that bound Galpha(i) were localized to four amino acid repeats (G-protein regulatory motif (GPR)) in the carboxyl terminus (Pro(463)-Ser(650)), each of which were capable of binding Galpha(i). AGS3-GPR domains selectively interacted with Galpha(i) in tissue and cell lysates and with purified Galpha(i)/Galpha(t). Subsequent experiments with purified Galpha(i2) and Galpha(i3) indicated that the carboxyl-terminal region containing the four GPR motifs actually bound more than one Galpha(i) subunit at the same time. The AGS3-GPR domains effectively competed with Gbetagamma for binding to Galpha(t(GDP)) and blocked GTPgammaS binding to Galpha(i1). AGS3 and related proteins provide unexpected mechanisms for coordination of G-protein signaling pathways.