Dahlgaardmccleary4618

Invasive species-species that have successfully overcome the barriers of transport, introduction, establishment, and spread-are a risk to biodiversity and ecosystem function. Introduction effort is one of the main factors underlying invasion success, but life history traits are also important as they influence population growth. In this contribution, we first investigated life history traits of the Barbary ground squirrel, Atlantoxerus getulus, a species with a very low introduction effort. We then studied if their invasion success was due to a very fast life history profile by comparing their life history traits to those of other successful invasive mammals. Next, we examined whether the number of founders and/or a fast life history influences the invasion success of squirrels. Barbary ground squirrels were on the fast end of the "fast-slow continuum", but their life history was not the only contributing factor to their invasion success, as the life history profile is comparable to other invasive species that do not have such a low introduction effort. We also found that neither life history traits nor the number of founders explained the invasion success of introduced squirrels in general. These results contradict the concept that introduction effort is the main factor explaining invasion success, especially in squirrels. Instead, we argue that invasion success can be influenced by multiple aspects of the new habitat or the biology of the introduced species.

To utilize a global survey to elucidate spine surgeons' perspectives towards research and resident education within telemedicine.

A cross-sectional, anonymous email survey was circulated to the members of AO Spine, an international organization consisting of spine surgeons from around the world. Questions were selected and revised using a Delphi approach. A major portion of the final survey queried participants on experiences with telemedicine in training, the utility of telemedicine for research, and the efficacy of telemedicine as a teaching tool. Responses were compared by region.

A total of 485 surgeons completed the survey between May 15, 2020 and May 31, 2020. Though most work regularly with trainees (83.3%) and 81.8% agreed that telemedicine should be incorporated into clinical education, 61.7% of respondents stated that trainees are not present during telemedicine visits. With regards to the types of clinical education that telemedicine could provide, only 33.9% of respondents agreed that interprainee participation as well as establishing best practices in telemedicine are essential to equip future spine specialists with the necessary skills for navigating this emerging platform.The aim of this study was to systematically review the feasibility and safety of non-operative management of small bowel obstruction (SBO) in virgin abdomen. A systematic review was performed through December 2019. The primary outcome was the resolution of non-operative management of SBO in virgin abdomen. Secondary outcomes were the etiology of SBO and findings of exploratory laparotomy. Six studies were included in the analysis. Of the 442 patients, 2 with metastatic cancer received palliative care, and the management in 26 was not reported, so these patients were excluded. A total of 414 patients were ultimately analyzed, including 203 patients (49%) who were managed non-operatively and 211 (51%) who underwent surgical management. Of the 203 managed non-operatively, the condition of 194 (96%) was resolved without further intervention. The remaining 9 (5%) patients failed non-operative management and ultimately required surgery. Of the 211 patients who underwent surgical exploration, only 137 had their intraoperative findings reported. Adhesions (n = 67; 49%) were the main cause, followed by malignancy (n = 14; 10%) and others (n = 33; 24%). No cause was found in 23 patients (17%). In highly select cases of SBO with virgin abdomen, non-operative management can be attempted if patients are clinically stable and computed tomography does not demonstrate concerning features or obvious pathology. Further well-designed prospective studies will be required prior to the introduction of this concept in clinical practice, as current evidence remains heterogeneous.Heart failure (HF) causes a hypercatabolic state that enhances the catabolic activity of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA; leucine, isoleucine, and valine) in the heart and skeletal muscles and reduces protein synthesis in the liver. Consequently, free plasma aromatic amino acids (AAA, tyrosine and phenylalanine) are increased. To date, we have reported the prognostic value of the BCAA/AAA ratio (Fischer's ratio) in patients with HF. However, the leucine/phenylalanine ratio, which is a simpler index than the Fischer's ratio, has not been examined. Therefore, the prognostic value of the leucine/phenylalanine ratio in patients with HF was investigated. Overall 157 consecutive patients hospitalized for worsening HF (81 men, median age 78 years) were enrolled in the study. Plasma amino acid levels were measured when the patients were stabilized at discharge. Cardiac events were defined as a composite of cardiac death and hospitalization for worsening HF. A total of 46 cardiac events occurred during the median folunder the curve 0.763,; sensitivity 0.783,; specificity 0.676,; P  less then  0.001). The leucine/phenylalanine ratio could be a useful predictor of future cardiac events in patients with HF, reflecting an imbalance in amino acid metabolism.Optical frequency domain imaging (OFDI) is a high-resolution intracoronary imaging modality with fast automated longitudinal pullback. We aimed to evaluate the ability of performing OFDI from the superficial femoral artery (SFA) to the below-knee (BK) artery. This clinical trial was a multi-center, single-arm, open-label study. The primary endpoint was to obtain a clear image of the intra-vascular lumen from the SFA to the BK artery, specifically  > 270° visualization of the blood vessel lumen with  > 16/21 cross sections. The proportion of the clear image (≥ 85%) was regarded as confirmatory of the ability of OFDI to visualize the vessel lumen. CD38-IN-78c Overall, 20 patients were enrolled. The proportion of the primary endpoint was 90% (18/20), and the pre-specified criterion was successfully attained. The proportion of the clear image assessed by the operator was 100% (20/20), and an additional statistical analysis for the proportion of the visualization,  > 270°, of the blood vessel lumen revealed a significantly higher cut-off value than that for the pre-specified criterion, 85% (p = 0.