STUDY DESIGN.Cross-sectional case-control study.
OBJECTIVE.Compare psychosocial profile of magnetically-controlled growing rod (MCGR) patients to traditional-growing rod (TGR) with an array of ...psychiatric tools, expecting improvement in MCGR due to decreased number of surgical procedures.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.TGR treatment has had positive clinical and radiographic results; however, upward of 10 surgical sessions and high complication rates have called into question the quality of life of these children. Improvement with the introduction of the MCGR is expected.
METHODS.GR patients with minimum of 2-years follow-up were recruited. None had neurological conditions. All underwent testing with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised, and only those in the normal range were included. Patients filled out questionnaires with mental health professionals to measure psychosocial status. MCGR patients’ results were compared to TGR patients.
RESULTS.Twenty-seven patients met criteria (10 MCGR, 17 TGR)average age at enrollment 11.8 years (range 5.9–17). MCGR group was significantly younger (9.1 vs. 13.3 yr) and had significantly shorter follow-up (45.6 vs. 82.8 mo) (P < 0.05). TGR patients underwent an average of 16 surgical procedures, MCGR an average of 1.5 (including complications, P < 0.05). Age at index surgery (6 yr), preoperative and postoperative major curve magnitudes (60°, 40° respectively) were statistically similar.There was no difference in current psychiatric diagnoses between the groups. MCGR patients scored worse than TGR patients in general functionality domains. TGR patients showed increased functionality and prosocial scores with increased number of procedures. This effect was not observed in MCGR.
CONCLUSIONS.The expected improvement in psychosocial status with the MCGR was not observed at a 31.6-month-follow-up. It appears that provided the patient spends enough time in the treatment process to notice benefit and does not experience major complications, noninvasiveness of lengthening procedures does not show up as an advantage with the psychosocial tools utilized in this study.Level of Evidence3
•The study aims at constructing wall-to-wall estimates of forest growing stock (GSV).•We combine NFI plot data, remotely sensed and auxiliary variables.•We applied the methodology in Mediterranean ...Forest.•We create a wall-to-wall GSV forest map in a large test area.•The GSV map was used to produce model-based estimates of GSV at small scale.
Spatial predictions of forest variables are required for supporting modern national and sub-national forest planning strategies, especially in the framework of a climate change scenario. Nowadays methods for constructing wall-to-wall maps and calculating small-area estimates of forest parameters are becoming essential components of most advanced National Forest Inventory (NFI) programs. Such methods are based on the assumption of a relationship between the forest variables and predictor variables that are available for the entire forest area. Many commonly used predictors are based on data obtained from active or passive remote sensing technologies. Italy has almost 40% of its land area covered by forests. Because of the great diversity of Italian forests with respect to composition, structure and management and underlying climatic, morphological and soil conditions, a relevant question is whether methods successfully used in less complex temperate and boreal forests may be applied successfully at country level in Italy.
For a study area of more than 48,657 km2 in central Italy of which 43% is covered by forest, the study presents the results of a test regarding wall-to-wall, spatially explicit estimation of forest growing stock volume (GSV) based on field measurement of 1350 plots during the last Italian NFI. For the same area, we used potential predictor variables that are available across the whole of Italy: cloud-free mosaics of multispectral optical satellite imagery (Landsat 5 TM), microwave sensor data (JAXA PALSAR), a canopy height model (CHM) from satellite LiDAR, and auxiliary variables from climate, temperature and precipitation maps, soil maps, and a digital terrain model.
Two non-parametric (random forests and k-NN) and two parametric (multiple linear regression and geographically weighted regression) prediction methods were tested to produce wall-to-wall map of growing stock volume at 23-m resolution. Pixel level predictions were used to produce small-area, province-level model-assisted estimates. The performances of all the methods were compared in terms of percent root mean-square error using a leave-one-out procedure and an independent dataset was used for validation. Results were comparable to those available for other ecological regions using similar predictors, but random forests produced the most accurate results with a pixel level R2 = 0.69 and RMSE% = 37.2% against the independent validation dataset. Model-assisted estimates were more precise than the original design-based estimates provided by the NFI.
Since the study of Thompson, et al in 2005, use of dual-growing rod constructs have become the gold standard for operative treatment in early-onset scoliosis. However, use of dual-growing rod ...constructs may not be possible, due to patient size and the type, location and severity of the spinal deformity.
The purpose of this study is to: (1) describe the deformities treated with single-growing rod constructs, and (2) report the outcomes of single-growing rods since 2005.
Observational, descriptive case series
A prospective, multi-center, international database of early-onset scoliosis patients were queried to identify all patients with single traditional growing rods (sTGR) or magnetically-controlled growing rods (sMCGR) since the 2005. Patients were excluded if there were greater than 1 rod or if there was less than 2 years of follow-up postoperatively. Twenty-five patients (13 female, 12 male) were identified from the database query, which satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Mean age at index surgery was 4.7 years (1.3 to 9.3 years) and mean follow-up was 4.3 years (2.0 to 10.6 years). Eleven patients were classified as congenital (all mixed-type), six neuromuscular, five idiopathic and three syndromic. Proximal foundations were ribs in 23 patients and pedicle screws in two patients. The distal foundations were the spine in 25 patients and three pelvic S-hooks. All single rods were on the concave side of the deformity. Interpretation of preoperative radiographs determined in 72% (18/25) of cases dual growing rods would be difficult and/or suboptimal due to patient size (longitudinal a/o weight) and/or kyphosis/kyphoscoliosis with severe rotation. Maximal coronal deformity improved 30% (83.9 degrees to 58.6 degrees) at latest follow-up. Maximal kyphosis increased 17% (45.6 degrees to 57.4 degrees). Postoperative length increase: T1-T12, 17.0 mm (4.6 mm/year); T1-S1, 34 mm (9.4 mm/year). Total secondary surgeries for TGRs were 100: 66 lengthenings, 32 revisions, two unknown. 10 MCGRs secondary surgeries occurred in nine patients (seven for maximized actuators and three for foundation migration). At latest follow-up 20 continued with lengthenings (five TGR & 15 MCGR), four underwent definitive fusions, and one completed lengthening (implants retained).
Treatment of severe EOS with single rods demonstrated a 30% coronal correction. T1-S1 length increased at 9.4 mm/year and T1-T12 length at 4.6 mm/year, which are comparable to published reports on dual MCGRs. Single TGRs and MCGRs in EOS can provide acceptable short-term outcomes when dual rods are not deemed appropriate.
The use of single growing rod constructs, in the 4-8 years old patient with EOS, can achieve reasonable short-term radiographic outcomes.
Forecasting phenology under global warming Ibáñez, Inés; Primack, Richard B.; Miller-Rushing, Abraham J. ...
Philosophical transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological sciences,
10/2010, Letnik:
365, Številka:
1555
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
As a consequence of warming temperatures around the world, spring and autumn phenologies have been shifting, with corresponding changes in the length of the growing season. Our understanding of the ...spatial and interspecific variation of these changes, however, is limited. Not all species are responding similarly, and there is significant spatial variation in responses even within species. This spatial and interspecific variation complicates efforts to predict phenological responses to ongoing climate change, but must be incorporated in order to build reliable forecasts. Here, we use a long-term dataset (1953–2005) of plant phenological events in spring (flowering and leaf out) and autumn (leaf colouring and leaf fall) throughout Japan and South Korea to build forecasts that account for these sources of variability. Specifically, we used hierarchical models to incorporate the spatial variability in phenological responses to temperature to then forecast species' overall and site-specific responses to global warming. We found that for most species, spring phenology is advancing and autumn phenology is getting later, with the timing of events changing more quickly in autumn compared with the spring. Temporal trends and phenological responses to temperature in East Asia contrasted with results from comparable studies in Europe, where spring events are changing more rapidly than are autumn events. Our results emphasize the need to study multiple species at many sites to understand and forecast regional changes in phenology.
Shifts in plant phenology regulate ecosystem structure and function, which feeds back to the climate system. However, drivers for the peak of growing season (POS) in seasonal dynamics of terrestrial ...ecosystems remain unclear. Here, spatial–temporal patterns of POS dynamics were analyzed by solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) and vegetation index in the Northern Hemisphere over the past two decades from 2001 to 2020. Overall, a slow advanced POS was observed in the Northern Hemisphere, while a delayed POS distributed mainly in northeastern North America. Trends of POS were driven by the start of growing season (SOS) rather than pre‐POS climate both at hemisphere and biome scale. The effect of SOS on the trends in POS was the strongest in shrublands while the weakest in evergreen broad‐leaved forest. These findings highlight the crucial role of biological rhythms rather than climatic factors in exploring seasonal carbon dynamics and global carbon balance.
The peak of growing season (POS) plays an important role in characterizing the capacity of terrestrial ecosystem productivity. However, drivers for POS in seasonal dynamics of terrestrial ecosystems remain unclear. Our results suggested that a slow advanced POS existed in the Northern Hemisphere. Trends of POS were driven by the start of growing season (SOS) rather than pre‐POS climate both at hemisphere and biome scales. These findings highlight the crucial role of biological rhythms rather than climatic factors in exploring POS dynamics.
This study evaluated the effects of muscle fiber characteristics on meat quality traits in 45 female fast- and slow-growing ducks. Three duck breeds at typical market ages were selected and ...slaughtered, including fast-growing ducks (Cherry Valley duck) and slow-growing ducks (Small-sized Beijing duck and Liancheng White duck). M. pectoralis major (PM), m. soleus (SOL), m. gastrocnemius (GAS) and m. extensor digitorum longus (EDL) were used to assess muscle fiber characteristics as well as meat quality properties. The results showed that the fiber compositions in PM, GAS, and EDL muscles only consisted of fast-twitch fibers irrespective of the breeds, while a low percentage of slow-twitch fibers were observed in slow-growing ducks (17.03% and 29.14%). The significant clear differences of fiber diameter, fiber density and fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) was observed among three duck breeds. Small-sized Beijing ducks had the highest diameter and cross-sectional fiber area coupled with a dramatically lowest fiber density when compared to other 2 breeds both in breast and leg muscles. In addition, the meat quality traits such as moisture content, release water, and intramuscular fat content were significantly affected by the breeds. Slow-growing ducks, especially Liancheng White ducks, exhibited higher release water, intramuscular fat content, as well as lower moisture content (P < 0.05) compared to the fast-growing ducks. The lower pH24 h value and shear force tended to be present in breast of Liancheng White ducks (P < 0.05). The higher protein content and collagen content were detected in breast of Liancheng White ducks and the leg muscle of Small-sized Beijing ducks (P < 0.05), respectively. Finally, the correlation coefficients between muscle fiber characteristics and meat quality showed that the diameter, density and CSA of fibers had a moderate or significant correlation with pH, shear force value, moisture content, and protein content of meat in fast-growing ducks. In slow-growing ducks, muscle fiber characteristics had a moderate or significant correlation with pH, shear force value, release water, protein content, and intramuscular fat content of meat. These results indicated that muscle fiber characteristics is a useful parameter to explain in parts the variation of meat quality including pH, shear force value, and protein content of meat, both in slow-growing ducks and fast-growing ducks.
Projected changes of the thermal growing season (TGS) over Northern Eurasia at 1.5 °C and 2 °C global warming levels are investigated using 22 CMIP5 models under both RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. The ...multi-model mean projections indicate Northern Eurasia will experience extended and intensified TGSs in a warmer world. The prolongation of TGSs under 1.5 °C and 2 °C warming is attributed to both earlier onset and later termination, with the latter factor playing a dominating role. Interestingly, earlier onset is of greater importance under RCP4.5 than under RCP8.5 in prolonging TGS as the world warms by an additional 0.5 °C. Under both RCPs, growing degree day sum (GDD) above 5 °C is anticipated to increase by 0 °C-450 °C days and 0 °C-650 °C days over Northern Eurasia at 1.5 °C and 2 °C warming, respectively. However, effective GDD (EGDD) which accumulates optimum temperature for the growth of wheat, exhibits a decline in the south of Central Asia under warmer climates. Therefore, for wheat production over Northern Eurasia, adverse effects incurred by scorching temperatures and resultant inadequacy in water availability may counteract benefits from lengthening and warming TGS. In response to a future 1.5 °C and 2 °C warmer world, proper management and scientifically-tailored adaptation are imperative to optimize local-regional agricultural production.
Growing rod (GR) systems require periodical surgical intervention and may cause associated complications, as well as worsened sagittal plane deformity. Generally, the risk of complications decreases ...with an increment in age at the time of the index surgery with GR construct placement. However, the optimal timing to begin GR treatment has not reached a consensus yet.
This study was performed to investigate the effect of age at the index GR surgery on the complication rates and formulate clinical guidelines for the optimal timing to begin GR treatment for EOS patients.
Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine complication occurrence as a function of the age at the index surgery and to determine the survival rates for the procedures. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine optimal cut-off values for the optimal timing of index surgery based on whether complications occurred or not.
54 patients who met the criteria were enrolled in this study.
The following spinal parameters were measured: major coronal Cobb angle, global kyphosis (GK), and coronal balance (CB). CB was defined as the horizontal distance from the C7 plumb line to the center sacral vertical line.
All patients had completed GR treatment and had a minimum 1-year follow-up duration after the final surgical intervention. Patient data were collected as follows: age at the index surgery, gender, diagnosis, type of GR construct, and the number of lengthening procedures. The standing full-spine radiographs were obtained before and after the index surgery, before and after each lengthening procedure, before and after the final surgical intervention, and at the latest follow-up. Complications were categorized as implant, alignment, and general.
Kaplan-Meier analysis of complications demonstrated a declining trend in complication rates with increasing age at the index surgery. The absence of perioperative complications was targeted, we constructed the ROC curve and the cut-off value was 71.0 months. Age at the index surgery was therefore categorized into two groups: younger-age group (≤ 71.0 months) and advanced-age group (> 71.0 months). There was a higher complication rate for the younger-age group than versus the advanced-age group (61.5% vs 22.0%, p=.011). PJK as a major alignment-related complication, was more frequent in the younger-age group than in the advanced-age group (30.8% vs 4.9%, p=.025). But the advanced-age group exhibited significantly more severe deformities before GR surgery compared to the younger-age group.
This study shows that the elevated risk of complications observed in the younger-age group, which can be attributed to the younger age at the index surgery and the increased number of lengthening procedures during treatment. We suggest deferring the initiation of GR treatment until after the age of six years for EOS patients. We hope it will serve as a basis for GR technique in the treatment of EOS, with the ultimate goal of enhancing treatment outcomes for this challenging disorder.
•The alpine shrubland acts as weak CO2 sink with −74.4±12.7gCm−2year−1 (Mean±S.E.).•Thermal conditions (GDD and GSL) regulated variations of annual GPP.•Water status during vegetation onset played ...important role in variations of annual RES.•ANPP of nested-grass accounted for variations of annual shurbland NEE.
Alpine ecosystems play an important role in the global carbon cycle, yet the long-term response of in situ ground-based observations of carbon fluxes to climate change remains not fully understood. Here, we analyzed the continuous net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) measured with the eddy covariance technique over an alpine Potentilla fruticosa shrubland on the northeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau from 2003 to 2012. The shrubland acted as a net CO2 sink with a negative NEE (−74.4±12.7gCm−2year−1, Mean±S.E.). The mean annual gross primary productivity (GPP) and annual ecosystem respiration (RES) were 511.8±11.3 and 437.4±17.8gCm−2year−1, respectively. The classification and regression trees (CART) analysis showed that aggregated growing season degree days (GDD) was the predominant determinant on variations in monthly NEE and monthly GPP, including its effect on leaf area index (LAI, satellite-retrieved data). However, variations in monthly RES were determined much more strongly by LAI. Non-growing season soil temperature (Ts) and growing season length (GSL) accounted for 59% and 42% of variations in annual GPP and annual NEE, respectively. Growing season soil water content (SWC) exerted a positive linear influence on variations in annual RES (r2=0.40, p=0.03). The thermal conditions and soil water status during the onset of the growing season are crucial for inter-annual variations of carbon fluxes. Our results suggested that an extended growing season and warmer non-growing season would enhance carbon assimilation capacity in the alpine shrubland.
There are currently only two methods (the within-growing season method and the inter-growing season method) used to analyse the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)–climate relationship at ...the monthly time scale. What are the differences between the two methods, and why do they exist? Which method is more suitable for the analysis of the relationship between them? In this study, after obtaining NDVI values (GIMMS NDVI3g) near meteorological stations and meteorological data of Inner Mongolian grasslands from 1982 to 2015, we analysed temporal changes in NDVI and climate factors, and explored the difference in Pearson correlation coefficients (R) between them via the above two analysis methods and analysed the change in R between them at multiple time scales. The research results indicated that: (1) NDVI was affected by temperature and precipitation in the area, showing periodic changes, (2) NDVI had a high value of R with climate factors in the within-growing season, while the significant correlation between them was different in different months in the inter-growing season, (3) with the increase in time series, the value of R between NDVI and climate factors showed a trend of increase in the within-growing season, while the value of R between NDVI and precipitation decreased, but then tended toward stability in the inter-growing season, and (4) when exploring the NDVI–climate relationship, we should first analyse the types of climate in the region to avoid the impacts of rain and heat occurring during the same period, and the inter-growing season method is more suitable for the analysis of the relationship between them.
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