bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overuse of Tuberculosis Surveillance Testing in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Compared to Non-IBD Patients on Biologic Therapy
Authors: Fine Sean , Vecchio Marc , Filipe Goncalves Monteiro Joao , Vecchio Eric , Mao Eric J
Published: June 2021

Background

Biologic treatment for moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) places patients at risk for infectious complications. Tuberculosis (TB) infection and reactivation can lead to serious morbidity and mortality for immunosuppressed patients. As a result, guidelines recommend screening for TB before starting biologic treatment, but a paucity of data remains on the utility of surveillance testing.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review at a single academic center evaluating both IBD and non-IBD patients on biologic therapy. The primary outcome was to determine the number of subsequent surveillance tests performed after initial screening for latent TB in both patient groups.

Results

A total of 188 patients (147 IBD and 41 non-IBD patients) on biologic therapy were included. Screening for TB before biologic treatment was performed in 56% of non-IBD patients versus 83% for patients with IBD (P = 0.0003). Of the total cohort, 65% had at least 2 follow-up surveillance tests for TB. Three or more surveillance tests were performed in 40% of patients with IBD versus only 13% for non-IBD patients (P = 0.0132). A total of 7 patients (4%) had an abnormal surveillance test. No patients were confirmed to have a diagnosis of TB or underwent treatment.

Conclusions

Patients on biologic therapy unnecessarily undergo surveillance testing for TB. Patients with IBD on biologic therapy are screened annually for TB at a higher rate compared to non-IBD patients. Standardization of care among patients on biologic therapy is necessary to avoid excessive testing in areas with a low incidence of TB.
Nest sanitation behavior does not increase the likelihood of parasitic egg rejection in herring gulls
Authors: Stratton James B , Dearborn Donald C
Published: June 2021

Birds’ behavioral response to brood parasitism can be influenced not only by evolution but also by context and individual experience. This could include nest sanitation, in which birds remove debris from their nests. Ultimately, nest sanitation behavior might be an evolutionary precursor to the rejection of parasitic eggs. Proximately, the context or experience of performing nest sanitation behavior might increase the detection or prime the removal of parasitic eggs, but evidence to date is limited. We tested incubation-stage nests of herring gulls Larus argentatus to ask whether nest sanitation increased parasitic egg rejection. In an initial set of 160 single-object experiments, small, red, blocky objects were usually rejected (18 of 20 nests), whereas life-sized, 3D-printed herring gull eggs were not rejected whether red (0 of 20) or the olive-tan base color of herring gull eggs (0 of 20). Next, we simultaneously presented a red, 3D-printed gull egg and a small, red block. These nests exhibited frequent nest sanitation (small, red block removed at 40 of 48 nests), but egg rejection remained uncommon (5 of those 40) and not significantly different from control nests (5 of 49) which received the parasitic egg but not the priming object. Thus, performance of nest sanitation did not shape individuals’ responses to parasitism. Interestingly, parents were more likely to reject the parasitic egg when they were present as we approached the nest to add the experimental objects. Depending on the underlying mechanism, this could also be a case of experience creating variation in responses to parasitism.
Eight-year outcomes for patients with aortic valve stenosis at low surgical risk randomized to transcatheter vs. surgical aortic valve replacement
Authors: Jørgensen Troels Højsgaard , Thyregod Hans Gustav Hørsted , Ihlemann Nikolaj , Nissen Henrik , Petursson Petur , Kjeldsen Bo Juel , Steinbrüchel Daniel Andreas , Olsen Peter Skov , Søndergaard Lars
Published: June 2021

Aims

The aims of the study were to compare clinical outcomes and valve durability after 8 years of follow-up in patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis at low surgical risk treated with either transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Methods and results

In the NOTION trial, patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis were randomized to TAVI or SAVR. Clinical status, echocardiography, structural valve deterioration, and failure were assessed using standardized definitions. In total, 280 patients were randomized to TAVI (n = 145) or SAVR (n = 135). Baseline characteristics were similar, including mean age of 79.1 ± 4.8 years and a mean STS score of 3.0 ± 1.7%. At 8-year follow-up, the estimated risk of the composite outcome of all-cause mortality, stroke, or myocardial infarction was 54.5% after TAVI and 54.8% after SAVR (P = 0.94). The estimated risks for all-cause mortality (51.8% vs. 52.6%; P = 0.90), stroke (8.3% vs. 9.1%; P = 0.90), or myocardial infarction (6.2% vs. 3.8%; P = 0.33) were similar after TAVI and SAVR. The risk of structural valve deterioration was lower after TAVI than after SAVR (13.9% vs. 28.3%; P = 0.0017), whereas the risk of bioprosthetic valve failure was similar (8.7% vs. 10.5%; P = 0.61).

Conclusions

In patients with severe aortic valve stenosis at low surgical risk randomized to TAVI or SAVR, there were no significant differences in the risk for all-cause mortality, stroke, or myocardial infarction, as well as the risk of bioprosthetic valve failure after 8 years of follow-up.

Clinical trial registration

URL: http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01057173.
Antithrombotic therapies in aortic and peripheral arterial diseases in 2021: a consensus document from the ESC working group on aorta and peripheral vascular diseases, the ESC working group on thrombosis, and the ESC working group on cardiovascular pharmacotherapy
Authors: Aboyans Victor , Bauersachs Rupert , Mazzolai Lucia , Brodmann Marianne , Palomares José F Rodriguez , Debus Sebastian , Collet Jean-Philippe , Drexel Heinz , Espinola-Klein Christine , Lewis Basil S , Roffi Marco , Sibbing Dirk , Sillesen Henrik , Stabile Eugenio , Schlager Oliver , De Carlo Marco
Published: June 2021

The aim of this collaborative document is to provide an update for clinicians on best antithrombotic strategies in patients with aortic and/or peripheral arterial diseases. Antithrombotic therapy is a pillar of optimal medical treatment for these patients at very high cardiovascular risk. While the number of trials on antithrombotic therapies in patients with aortic or peripheral arterial diseases is substantially smaller than for those with coronary artery disease, recent evidence deserves to be incorporated into clinical practice. In the absence of specific indications for chronic oral anticoagulation due to concomitant cardiovascular disease, a single antiplatelet agent is the basis for long-term antithrombotic treatment in patients with aortic or peripheral arterial diseases. Its association with another antiplatelet agent or low-dose anticoagulants will be discussed, based on patient’s ischaemic and bleeding risk as well therapeutic paths (e.g. endovascular therapy). This consensus document aims to provide a guidance for antithrombotic therapy according to arterial disease localizations and clinical presentation. However, it cannot substitute multidisciplinary team discussions, which are particularly important in patients with uncertain ischaemic/bleeding balance. Importantly, since this balance evolves over time in an individual patient, a regular reassessment of the antithrombotic therapy is of paramount importance.
Understanding primary health care physicians’ perspective and approach to pre-conception care in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alamer Ebtihal , Al-Watban Lemmese , Nafisah Faris Ibrahim
Published: June 2021

Background

Pre-conception care is well known as part of opportunistic, proactive, preventive care for men and women throughout their reproductive years; to lower behavioural, environmental and health-related factors that could lead to poor maternal and foetal outcomes. Many studies have been conducted on the delivery of pre-conception care worldwide. However, no studies were conducted in Saudi Arabia on this topic.

Objective

To explore knowledge, attitudes and practice of pre-conception care among primary health care physicians in Riyadh’s Ministry of Health primary care centres and identify barriers they may face.

Methods

A phenomenological qualitative approach using in-depth interviews was conducted on participants recruited, between January 2019 and January 2020. Data collection and thematic analysis continued concurrently until maximum variation and theme saturation was achieved by the 10th interview.

Results

Three themes emerged from the data: interpretation of pre-conception care; pre-conception care initiative; and collaboration and education. Participants believed in the benefits of pre-conception care despite their expressed hesitancy in providing it. They expressed dissatisfaction with a few barriers to pre-conception care provision including time constraints in the clinical setting and cultural factors. However, they remained optimistic and motivated to implement changes to attain a higher quality of care.

Conclusions

The gained insight from the in-depth exploration of physicians’ perspectives on pre-conception care helps direct future resources and efforts to both team-based, multi-disciplinary preventative approaches, and population education on the importance of preparing for a pregnancy.
Alcohol use among adult men and its impact on personal and family life: findings of a community-based cross-sectional survey and focus groups discussions from a low alcohol taxed region, Puducherry, India
Authors: Olickal Jeby Jose , Selvaraj Ramya , Saya Ganesh Kumar , Chinnakali Palanivel
Published: June 2021

Background

There is limited published literature on the impact of alcohol use among alcohol dependents and their family members.

Objectives

To find the factors associated with alcohol use and explore the impact of alcohol use on alcohol dependents and their family members.

Methods

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 316 men aged above 18 years, and four focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted among alcohol dependents and their family members. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was used.

Results

The mean (SD) age of the study participants was 45.2 (15.1) years, and 276 of them (87.3%) were educated. The prevalence of alcohol use was found to be 38% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 32.8–43.4]. Older age [adjusted prevalence (APR) = 2.23 (95% CI = 1.17–4.27)], no formal education [APR = 1.20 (95% CI = 1.20–1.20)], rural residence [APR = 1.05 (95% CI = 1.05–1.05)], self-reported comorbidities [APR = 1.21 (95% CI = 1.21–1.21)], tobacco use [APR = 2.42 (95% CI = 1.98–2.97)] and individuals having a family history of alcohol use [APR = 2.42 (95% CI = 1.73–3.37)] were the factors associated with alcohol use. The family members of alcohol users suffer mainly mental, emotional and physical abuse. Abusive language used by the alcoholic father and family break-ups have an influence on children and in their schooling.

Conclusions

Prevalence of alcohol use in a low alcohol taxed region in India was high. The family members of alcohol users mainly suffer mental, emotional and physical abuse.
Ageism in COVID-Related Newspaper Coverage: The First Month of a Pandemic
Authors: Jen Sarah , Jeong Mijin , Kang Hyun , Riquino Michael
Published: June 2021

Objectives

Media sources have consistently described older adults as a medically vulnerable population during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, yet a lack of concern over their health and safety has resulted in dismissal and devaluation. This unprecedented situation highlights ongoing societal ageism and its manifestations in public discourse. This analysis asks how national news sources performed explicit and implicit ageism during the first month of the pandemic.

Method

Using content and critical discourse analysis methods, we analyzed 287 articles concerning older adults and COVID-19 published between March 11 and April 10, 2020, in 4 major U.S.-based newspapers.

Results

Findings indicate that while ageism was rarely discussed explicitly, ageist bias was evident in implicit reporting patterns (e.g., frequent use of the term “elderly,” portrayals of older adults as “vulnerable”). Infection and death rates and institutionalized care were among the most commonly reported topics, providing a limited portrait of aging during the pandemic. The older “survivor” narrative offers a positive alternative by suggesting exceptional examples of resilience and grit. However, the survivor narrative may also implicitly place blame on those unable to survive or thrive in later life.

Discussion

This study provides insight for policy makers, researchers, and practitioners exploring societal perceptions of older adults and how these perceptions are disseminated and maintained by the media.
Naturally Acquired SARS-CoV-2 Immunity Persists for Up to 11 Months Following Infection
Authors: De Giorgi Valeria , West Kamille A , Henning Amanda N , Chen Leonard N , Holbrook Michael R , Gross Robin , Liang Janie , Postnikova Elena , Trenbeath Joni , Pogue Sarah , Scinto Tania , Alter Harvey J , Cantilena Cathy Conry
Published: June 2021

Background

Characterizing the kinetics of the antibody response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is of critical importance to developing strategies that may mitigate the public health burden of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a prospective, longitudinal analysis of COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors at multiple time points over an 11-month period to determine how circulating antibody levels change over time following natural infection.

Methods

From April 2020 to February 2021, we enrolled 228 donors. At each study visit, subjects either donated plasma or had study samples drawn only. Anti–SARS-CoV-2 donor testing was performed using the VITROS Anti–SARS-CoV-2 Total and IgG assays and an in-house fluorescence reduction neutralization assay.

Results

Anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were identified in 97% of COVID-19 convalescent donors at initial presentation. In follow-up analyses, of 116 donors presenting at repeat time points, 91.4% had detectable IgG levels up to 11 months after symptom recovery, while 63% had detectable neutralizing titers; however, 25% of donors had neutralizing levels that dropped to an undetectable titer over time.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that immunological memory is acquired in most individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 and is sustained in a majority of patients for up to 11 months after recovery.

Clinical Trials Registration. NCT04360278.
dfrA trimethoprim resistance genes found in Gram-negative bacteria: compilation and unambiguous numbering
Authors: Ambrose Stephanie J , Hall Ruth M
Published: June 2021

To track the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, accurate identification of individual genes is essential. Acquired trimethoprim resistance genes encoding trimethoprim-insensitive homologues of the sensitive dihydrofolate reductases encoded by the folA genes of bacteria are increasingly found in genome sequences. However, naming and numbering in publicly available records (journal publications or entries in the GenBank non-redundant DNA database) has not always been unambiguous. In addition, the nomenclature has evolved over time. Here, the changes in nomenclature and the most commonly encountered problems and pitfalls affecting dfrA gene identification arising from historically incorrect or inaccurate numbering are explained. The complete set of dfrA genes/DfrA proteins found in Gram-negative bacteria for which readily searchable sequence information is currently available has been compiled using less than 98% identity for both the gene and the derived protein sequence as the criteria for assignment of a new number. In most cases, trimethoprim resistance has been demonstrated. The gene context, predominantly in a gene cassette or near the ori end of CR1 or CR2, is also covered. The RefSeq database that underpins the programs used to automatically identify resistance genes in genome data sets has been curated to assign all sequences listed to the correct number. This led to the assignment of corrected or new gene numbers to several mis-assigned sequences. The unique numbers assigned for the dfrA/DfrA set are now listed in the RefSeq database, which we propose provides a way forward that should end future duplication of numbers and the confusion that causes.
Application of natural language processing techniques to identify off-label drug usage from various online health communities
Authors: Dreyfus Brian , Chaudhary Anuj , Bhardwaj Parth , Shree V Karthikhaa
Published: June 2021

Objective

Outcomes mentioned on online health communities (OHCs) by patients can serve as a source of evidence for off-label drug usage evaluation, but identifying these outcomes manually is tedious work. We have built a natural language processing model to identify off-label usage of drugs mentioned in these patient posts.

Materials and Methods

Single patient posts from 4 major OHCs were considered for this study. A text classification model was built to classify the posts as either relevant or not relevant based on patient experience. The relevant posts were passed through a spelling correction tool, CSpell, and then medications and indications from these posts were identified using cTAKES (clinical Text Analysis and Knowledge Extraction System), a named entity recognition tool. Drug and indication pairs were identified using a dependency parser. Finally, if the paired indication was not mentioned on the label of the drug approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration, it was tagged as off-label use of that drug.

Results

Using this algorithm, we identified 289 off-label indications, achieving a recall of 76%.

Conclusions

The method designed in this study identifies and extracts the semantic relationship between drugs and indications from demotic posts in OHCs. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using natural language processing techniques in identifying off-label drug usage across online health forums for a variety of drugs. Understanding patients’ off-label use of drugs may be able to help manufacturers innovate to better address patients’ needs and assist doctors’ prescribing decisions.
MT-clinical BERT: scaling clinical information extraction with multitask learning
Authors: Mulyar Andriy , Uzuner Ozlem , McInnes Bridget
Published: June 2021

Objective

Clinical notes contain an abundance of important, but not-readily accessible, information about patients. Systems that automatically extract this information rely on large amounts of training data of which there exists limited resources to create. Furthermore, they are developed disjointly, meaning that no information can be shared among task-specific systems. This bottleneck unnecessarily complicates practical application, reduces the performance capabilities of each individual solution, and associates the engineering debt of managing multiple information extraction systems.

Materials and Methods

We address these challenges by developing Multitask-Clinical BERT: a single deep learning model that simultaneously performs 8 clinical tasks spanning entity extraction, personal health information identification, language entailment, and similarity by sharing representations among tasks.

Results

We compare the performance of our multitasking information extraction system to state-of-the-art BERT sequential fine-tuning baselines. We observe a slight but consistent performance degradation in MT-Clinical BERT relative to sequential fine-tuning.

Discussion

These results intuitively suggest that learning a general clinical text representation capable of supporting multiple tasks has the downside of losing the ability to exploit dataset or clinical note-specific properties when compared to a single, task-specific model.

Conclusions

We find our single system performs competitively with all state-the-art task-specific systems while also benefiting from massive computational benefits at inference.
Streptomyces venezuelae NRRL B-65442: genome sequence of a model strain used to study morphological differentiation in filamentous actinobacteria
Authors: Gomez-Escribano Juan Pablo , Holmes Neil A , Schlimpert Susan , Bibb Maureen J , Chandra Govind , Wilkinson Barrie , Buttner Mark J , Bibb Mervyn J
Published: June 2021

For over a decade, Streptomyces venezuelae has been used to study the molecular mechanisms that control morphological development in streptomycetes and is now a well-established model strain. Its rapid growth and ability to sporulate in a near-synchronised manner in liquid culture, unusual among streptomycetes, greatly facilitates the application of modern molecular techniques such as ChIP-seq and RNA-seq, as well as time-lapse fluorescence imaging of the complete Streptomyces life cycle. Here we describe a high-quality genome sequence of our isolate of the strain (Northern Regional Research Laboratory [NRRL] B-65442) consisting of an 8.2 Mb chromosome and a 158 kb plasmid, pSVJI1, which had not been reported previously. Surprisingly, while NRRL B-65442 yields green spores on MYM agar, the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) type strain 10712 (from which NRRL B-65442 was derived) produces grey spores. While comparison of the genome sequences of the two isolates revealed almost total identity, it did reveal a single nucleotide substitution in a gene, vnz_33525, involved in spore pigment biosynthesis. Replacement of the vnz_33525 allele of ATCC 10712 with that of NRRL B-65442 resulted in green spores, explaining the discrepancy in spore pigmentation. We also applied CRISPR-Cas9 to delete the essential parB of pSVJI1 to cure the plasmid from the strain without obvious phenotypic consequences.
Side Effects 15 Years After Lymph Node Irradiation in Breast Cancer: Randomized EORTC Trial 22922/10925
Authors: Poortmans Philip M , Struikmans Henk , De Brouwer Peter , Weltens Caroline , Fortpied Catherine , Kirkove Carine , Budach Volker , Peignaux-Casasnovas Karine , van der Leij Femke , Vonk Ernest , Valli Mariacarla , vanTienhoven Geertjan , Weidner Nicola , Noel Georges , Guckenberger Matthias , Koiter Eveline , vanLimbergen Erik , Engelen Antoine , Fourquet Alain , Bartelink Harry ,   for the EORTC Radiation Oncology and Breast Cancer Groups
Published: June 2021

Background

Uncertainty about the benefit–risk ratio of regional lymph node irradiation led to varying clinical protocols. We investigated long-term late side effects after internal mammary and medial supraclavicular (IM-MS) lymph node irradiation to improve shared decision making.

Methods

The multicenter European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00002851) randomly assigned stage I-III breast cancer patients with involved axillary nodes and/or a medially located primary tumor. We analyzed late side effects both longitudinally at every follow-up and cross-sectionally at 5-year intervals. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

Results

Between 1996 and 2004, 46 departments from 13 countries accrued 4004 patients. Median follow-up was 15.7 years. Longitudinal follow-up data showed cumulative incidence rates at 15 years of 2.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.2% to 3.8%) vs 5.7% (95% CI = 4.7% to 6.9%) (P < .001) for lung fibrosis, 1.1% (95% CI = 0.7% to 1.7%) vs 1.9% (95% CI = 1.3% to 2.6%) (P = .07) for cardiac fibrosis, and 9.4% (95% CI = 8.0% to 10.8%) vs 11.1% (95% CI = 9.6% to 12.7%) (P = .04) for any cardiac disease when treated without or with IM-MS lymph node irradiation. There was no evidence for differences between left- and right-sided breast cancer (Wald χ2 test of treatment by breast side interaction, P = .33 and P = .35, for cardiac fibrosis and for any cardiac disease, respectively). The cumulative incidence probabilities of cross-sectionally reported side effects with a score of 2 or greater at 15 years were 0.1% (95% CI = 0.0% to 0.5%) vs 0.8% (95% CI = 0.4% to 1.4%) for pulmonary (P = .02), 1.8% (95% CI = 1.1% to 2.8%) vs 2.6% (95% CI = 1.8% to 3.7%) for cardiac (P = .15), and 0.0% (95% CI not evaluated) vs 0.1% (95% CI = 0.0% to 0.4%) for esophageal (P = .16), respectively. No difference was observed in the incidence of second malignancies, contralateral breast cancer, or cardiovascular deaths.

Conclusions

The incidence of late pulmonary side effects was statistically significantly higher after IM-MS lymph node irradiation, as were some of the cardiac events, without a difference between left- and right-sided treatments. Absolute rates and differences were very low, without increased non-breast cancer–related mortality, even before introducing heart-sparing techniques.
Reduced expression of lipoxygenase genes improves flour processing quality in soft wheat
Authors: Lv Guoguo , Tian Qiuzhen , Zhang Fuyan , Chen Jianhui , Niaz Mohsin , Liu Chunyi , Hu Huiting , Sun Congwei , Chen Feng
Published: June 2021

Lipoxygenases (Loxs) are dioxygenases that play an important role in plant growth and defense. Loxs affect flour processing quality in common wheat (Triticum aestivum). We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) that identified 306 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) related to Lox activity in Chinese wheat accessions. Among them, a novel lipoxygenase-encoding (Lpx) gene, TaLpx-B4, was detected on chromosome 3B in a biparental population. Analysis of mutant wheat lines induced using ethyl methanesulfonate confirmed the role of TaLpx-B4 in modulating Lox activity. A phylogenetic tree of various plant Lpx genes indicated the predominance of the 9-Lpx type in common wheat. Further analysis revealed conserved intron number, exon length, and motif number in the TaLpx gene family. GWAS, linkage mapping, and gene annotation collectively showed that 14 out of 29 annotated TaLpx genes played a critical role in regulating Lox activity in the Chinese wheat accessions. Transgenic wheat grains with knockdown of Lpx family genes by RNAi showed significantly lower Lox activity than the wild type. One TaLpx-RNAi line had significantly reduced starch content and dough stability, and thus possessed relatively superior biscuit quality in soft wheat. Further analysis of the transcriptome, lipid components, and other metabolites revealed that knockdown of TaLpx genes significantly increased biscuit quality via changes in unsaturated fatty acid content as well as in starch, sucrose, and galactose metabolism. Our results provide new insights into the role of the TaLpx gene family that will be beneficial in improving soft wheat flour quality.
Stress effects on the reactive oxygen species-dependent regulation of plant growth and development
Authors: Considine Michael J , Foyer Christine H
Published: June 2021

Plant growth is mediated by cell proliferation and expansion. Both processes are controlled by a network of endogenous factors such as phytohormones, reactive oxygen species (ROS), sugars, and other signals, which influence gene expression and post-translational regulation of proteins. Stress resilience requires rapid and appropriate responses in plant growth and development as well as defence. Regulation of ROS accumulation in different cellular compartments influences growth responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. While ROS are essential for growth, they are also implicated in the stress-induced cessation of growth and, in some cases, programmed cell death. It is widely accepted that redox post-translational modifications of key proteins determine the growth changes and cell fate responses to stress, but the molecular pathways and factors involved remain poorly characterized. Here we discuss ROS as a signalling molecule, the mechanisms of ROS-dependent regulation that influence protein–protein interactions, protein function, and turnover, together with the relocation of key proteins to different intracellular compartments in a manner that can alter cell fate. Understanding how the redox interactome responds to stress-induced increases in ROS may provide a road map to tailoring the dynamic ROS interactions that determine growth and cell fate in order to enhance stress resilience.
The temperatures of red supergiants in low-metallicity environments
Authors: González-Torà Gemma , Davies Ben , Kudritzki Rolf-Peter , Plez Bertrand
Published: June 2021

The temperatures of red supergiants (RSGs) are expected to depend on metallicity (Z) in such a way that lower Z RSGs are warmer. In this work, we investigate the Z-dependence of the Hayashi limit by analysing RSGs in the low-Z galaxy Wolf–Lundmark–Mellote, and compare with the RSGs in the higher Z environments of the Small Magellanic Cloud and Large Magellanic Cloud. We determine the effective temperature (Teff) of each star by fitting their spectral energy distributions, as observed by VLT + SHOOTER, with MARCS model atmospheres. We find average temperatures of $T_{\textrm {eff}_{\textrm {WLM}}}=4400\pm 202$ K, $T_{\textrm {eff}_{\textrm {SMC}}}=4130\pm 103$ K, and $T_{\textrm {eff}_{\textrm {LMC}}}=4140\pm 148$ K. From population synthesis analysis, we find that although the Geneva evolutionary models reproduce this trend qualitatively, the RSGs in these models are systematically too cool. We speculate that our results can be explained by the inapplicability of the standard solar mixing length to RSGs.
An Expert Elicitation on the Effects of a Ban on Menthol Cigarettes and Cigars in the United States
Authors: Levy David T , Cadham Christopher J , Sanchez-Romero Luz Maria , Knoll Marie , Travis Nargiz , Yuan Zhe , Li Yameng , Mistry Ritesh , Douglas Clifford E , Tam Jamie , Sertkaya Aylin , Warner Kenneth E , Meza Rafael
Published: June 2021

Introduction

The US Food and Drug Administration announced its intention to ban menthol in cigarettes. However, information is needed on how a federal ban would affect population health.

Aims and Methods

We conducted an expert elicitation to gauge the impact of a menthol cigarette and cigar ban in the United States. We developed and pilot tested a questionnaire that focused on tobacco use transitions of current smokers (age 18–24 menthol, age 35–54 menthol, and age 35–54 nonmenthol) and potential menthol smokers (age 12–24). Using a structured expert elicitation, we estimated mean net transitions under a ban from cigarette use to combustible tobacco product, smokeless tobacco, novel nicotine delivery product (NNDPs, such as e-cigarettes) use, or no tobacco use.

Results

Eleven experts provided responses. Of those ages 12–24 who would have initiated menthol cigarette use in the absence of a ban, the experts estimated that 41% would still initiate combustible products under a ban, while 18% would initiate with NNDPs and 39% would not initiate regular tobacco use. Combustible use by menthol smokers ages 35–54 was expected to decline by 20% postban relative to preban rates, half switching to NNDPs and half quitting all tobacco use. Menthol smokers ages 18–24 were expected to reduce combustible use by 30%, with 16% switching to NNDPs. Greater reductions in combustible use were estimated for African Americans across the three age groups. Negligible impacts were expected for current adult nonmenthol smokers.

Conclusions

According to expert opinion, a menthol ban is expected to substantially reduce smoking initiation and combustible tobacco product use among current menthol smokers.

Implications

The US Food and Drug Administration recently announced its intention to ban menthol in cigarettes, but information on the potential impact on smoking and other nicotine product use is limited. We conducted an expert elicitation to gauge the impact of a menthol cigarette and cigar ban in the United States. A panel of experts estimated that menthol smokers ages 35–54 would reduce combustible tobacco use by 20%, with half switching to e-cigarettes and half quitting all nicotine use. Larger reductions were expected at younger ages, and menthol smoking initiation was reduced by 59% with 18% instead using e-cigarettes. African Americans were expected to have greater reductions in combustible tobacco use than the rest of the population.
Effect of the Equity Capital Ratio on the Relationship between Competition and Bank Risk-Taking Behavior
Authors: Hao Jia , Zheng Kuncheng
Published: June 2021

We examine how the relationship between competition and risk-taking changes with the ex ante bank equity capital ratio. We show that competition in the banking market, on average, mitigates risk-taking by banks. This relationship, however, can be altered by a bank’s ex ante equity capital ratio. More specifically, when face with increased competition, banks with low ex ante equity capital ratios engage in relatively larger reductions in risk-taking. They do so primarily by decreasing the risk in their lending portfolios. In contrast, banks with high enough ex ante equity capital ratios might not reduce their risk-taking at all. (JEL G21, G32, O16, D40, G18)
Morphological characteristics of sacroiliac joint MRI lesions in axial spondyloarthritis and control subjects
Authors: Seven Sengül , Østergaard Mikkel , Morsel-Carlsen Lone , Sørensen Inge Juul , Bonde Birthe , Thamsborg Gorm , Lykkegaard Jens Jørgen , Pedersen Susanne Juhl
Published: June 2021

Objectives

To investigate SI joint MRI inflammation, structural and degenerative lesion characteristics in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) and various control groups.

Methods

Patients with axSpA (n = 41) and lumbar disc herniation (n = 25), women with (n = 46) and without (n = 14) post-partum (childbirth within 4–16 months) buttock/pelvic pain, cleaning assistants (n = 26), long-distance runners (n = 23) and healthy men (n = 29) had MRI of the SI joints prospectively performed. MRI lesions were assessed on nine slices covering the cartilaginous compartment by two experienced readers according to the definitions of the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada SI joint inflammation and structural scores, and were evaluated according to depth and extent. Other morphological characteristics were also analysed.

Results

Total depth scores for bone marrow oedema (BME) and fat lesion (FAT) and total extent score for erosion were statistically significantly highest in axSpA, while scores for sclerosis were numerically highest in women with post-partum pain. Maximum BME depth >10 mm was frequently and exclusively found in axSpA and post-partum women (39% vs 14–17%) while FAT depth >5 mm was predominantly found in axSpA (76% vs 0–10%). Erosions were primarily seen in axSpA, especially when extensive (≥4 or confluent; 17% vs 0%). Capsulitis was absent in non-axSpA groups. BME and FAT in the ligamentous compartment were primarily found in axSpA (17/22% vs 0/2% in non-axSpA groups). In non-axSpA, osteophytes (axSpA vs non-axSpA: 0% vs 3–17%) and vacuum phenomenon (7% vs 30–66%) were more frequent, and the joint space was wider [mean (s.d.) 1.5 (0.9) vs 2.2 (0.5) mm].

Conclusions

FAT depth >5 mm, but not BME depth >10 mm, could almost differentiate axSpA patients from all other groups. When excluding post-partum women, BME >5 mm and erosion were highly specific for axSpA.
Financial oikonomization: the financial government and administration of the household
Authors: Ossandón José , Deville Joe , Lazarus Jeanne , Luzzi Mariana
Published: June 2021

This article introduces a new social scientific understanding of the relationship between households and finance. We call it financial oikonomization. Financial oikonomization signals a specific research problem and a distinctive analytical approach to this problem. The problem is how households are financially administered and governed. The approach is pragmatist and descriptive. It is oriented to the how, to the study of the problems and practices of those directly involved with administrating and governing households’ financial flows. On the basis of an extensive review of recent research, we distinguish seven operations of financial oikonomization, seven distinct problems—with their own practices, sites and techniques, but all oriented to the financial administration and government of households. We call these operations: budgeting, juggling, evaluating, attaching, educating, publicizing and infrastructuring.
Accelerated Diversification Explains the Exceptional Species Richness of Tropical Characoid Fishes
Authors: Melo Bruno F , Sidlauskas Brian L , Near Thomas J , Roxo Fabio F , Ghezelayagh Ava , Ochoa Luz E , Stiassny Melanie L J , Arroyave Jairo , Chang Jonathan , Faircloth Brant C , MacGuigan Daniel J , Harrington Richard C , Benine Ricardo C , Burns Michael D , Hoekzema Kendra , Sanches Natalia C , Maldonado-Ocampo Javier A , Castro Ricardo M C , Foresti Fausto , Alfaro Michael E , Oliveira Claudio
Published: June 2021

The Neotropics harbor the most species-rich freshwater fish fauna on the planet, but the timing of that exceptional diversification remains unclear. Did the Neotropics accumulate species steadily throughout their long history, or attain their remarkable diversity recently? Biologists have long debated the relative support for these museum and cradle hypotheses, but few phylogenies of megadiverse tropical clades have included sufficient taxa to distinguish between them. We used 1288 ultraconserved element loci spanning 293 species, 211 genera, and 21 families of characoid fishes to reconstruct a new, fossil-calibrated phylogeny and infer the most likely diversification scenario for a clade that includes a third of Neotropical fish diversity. This phylogeny implies paraphyly of the traditional delimitation of Characiformes because it resolves the largely Neotropical Characoidei as the sister lineage of Siluriformes (catfishes), rather than the African Citharinodei. Time-calibrated phylogenies indicate an ancient origin of major characoid lineages and reveal a much more recent emergence of most characoid species. Diversification rate analyses infer increased speciation and decreased extinction rates during the Oligocene at around 30 Ma during a period of mega-wetland formation in the proto-Orinoco-Amazonas. Three species-rich and ecomorphologically diverse lineages (Anostomidae, Serrasalmidae, and Characidae) that originated more than 60 Ma in the Paleocene experienced particularly notable bursts of Oligocene diversification and now account collectively for 68% of the approximately 2150 species of Characoidei. In addition to paleogeographic changes, we discuss potential accelerants of diversification in these three lineages. While the Neotropics accumulated a museum of ecomorphologically diverse characoid lineages long ago, this geologically dynamic region also cradled a much more recent birth of remarkable species-level diversity. [Biodiversity; Characiformes; macroevolution; Neotropics; phylogenomics; ultraconserved elements.]
In Defence of AIB v Mark Redler
Authors: Chan Alex
Published: June 2021

Following Target Holdings v Redferns and AIB v Mark Redler, it is now common theme that equitable compensation is underpinned by a compensatory mindset requiring but-for causation. This article argues that, despite criticisms that the compensatory reasoning does not sit well with the orthodoxy, the law has moved on. The traditional accounting mechanism should no longer be maintained since it could create unjust results. The better approach is to look at the obligation in question which, together with the underlying policy and the remedial goal, informs the proper remedy to a particular claim.
Feeding different cultivars and quality levels of faba bean to broiler chickens
Authors: Smit Miranda N , He Liangfei , Beltranena Eduardo
Published: June 2021

A concern of both pulse growers and poultry producers is how frost damage around harvest time affects the nutritional quality of faba bean for broiler chickens. To investigate, two zero-tannin cultivars (Snowbird, Snowdrop) and one low vicine and convicine cultivar (Fabelle) sourced from seed growers were spring planted 3 weeks later than recommended (mid-May) and harvested late October to purposely increase frost damage. Parent, certified seed (high quality), and harvested frost damaged beans (low quality) of the three cultivars were fed to 740 chickens housed in 64 floor pens in a 2 × 3 factorial plus control (9 pens of 11 or 12 birds per treatment). Starter (d 0 to 11), grower (d 12 to 24), and finisher (d 25 to 40) diets included 15%, 30%, and 45% faba bean in partial (starter, grower) or total replacement of soybean meal (SBM; control). Harvested Snowbird, Snowdrop, Fabelle averaged 52%, 62%, 17% blackened hull and 35%, 43%, 51% immature beans, respectively. There was a cultivar × quality interaction (P < 0.05) on daily feed disappearance (ADFI) and gain-to-feed (G:F). Broilers fed low-quality Snowdrop consumed 10 g/d more finisher and 6 g/d more feed overall than those fed low-quality Snowbird or Fabelle; broilers fed parent seed were intermediate. Feeding low-quality Fabelle resulted in best overall G:F (0.646) versus high-quality Snowbird (0.611), high-quality Fabelle (0.624), or low-quality Snowdrop (0.624). Average daily weight gain (ADG) and bird body weight (BW) at the end of each growth phase were not affected by cultivar or quality level. Controls fed SBM only grew 2.75 g/d faster overall and were 113.5 g heavier at the end of the trial than broilers fed faba bean (P < 0.05). Controls fed SBM only had 0.024 g/g better overall G:F than broilers fed faba bean (P < 0.05). Feeding low-quality beans or high-quality seed had no effect on antemortem BW, chilled carcass weight (WT), dressing percentage or yield of saleable cuts except that broilers fed Snowbird or Snowdrop had 0.8%-unit larger thighs than those fed Fabelle. Controls fed SBM only were 110 g heavier at slaughter, had 72 g heavier chilled carcass WT, and 0.5%-unit greater dressing percentage than broilers fed faba bean (P < 0.05). These results indicate that feeding frost damaged and(or) immature faba bean, to the extent observed in this trial, did not negatively affect growth performance or carcass attributes of broiler chickens compared to feeding parent, certified, high-quality seed of these cultivars.
Increasing Advance Care Planning Conversations Among Korean Americans Through a Faith Community Nurse Intervention
Authors: Park Morgan
Published: June 2021

Minority populations have lower rates of advance care planning (ACP) than the general population. Faith community nurses (FCNs) can facilitate ACP training to improve end-of-life care outcomes for patients and caregivers. A nurse-led ACP training delivered to a primarily Korean American faith community increased the number of families who discussed end-of-life care values and wishes. Considerations for ACP outreach to Korean Americans and implications for FCNs are discussed.
Rates and Correlates of Stigmatization Expressed by Parents of Young Children with Developmental Difficulties in a Middle-Income Country
Authors: Ozalp Akin Ezgi , Bingoler Pekcici Emine Bahar , Ozturk Ertem Ilgi
Published: June 2021

Objective:

Information on stigmatization of young children with developmental difficulties (DDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where most children reside, is crucial to combat stigma globally. We aimed to identify rates and correlates of stigmatization of young children with DDs in a middle-income country, Turkey.

Method:

In this cross-sectional study, parents of children aged 0 to 42 months attending Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Division for their first visit were recruited consecutively. Parents responded to the written open-ended stigma questions of the Expanded Guide for Monitoring Child Development. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with stigmatization.

Results:

The sample comprised 306 children (60.8% boys) with DDs (72.9% with chronic illness/disability and 27.1% with isolated language delay). Most of the mothers (61.1%) and fathers (60.7%) had less than high school education. Stigmatization was reported by 102 (33.3%) families. Child's sex, age, and health condition were not, but 5 of 9 environmental/contextual factors examined were statistically significantly associated with stigmatization. In the logistic regression model, not receiving support from relatives/friends (odds ratio [OR] = 4.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.16–11.48) and feelings of depression in the mother were independent factors associated with stigmatization (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.04–4.50).

Conclusion:

In a referred sample from Turkey and likely other LMICs, a large proportion of parents of young children with DDs report having experienced stigmatization at their first developmental assessment. Interventions that aim to address stigmatization in this early period must focus on support from family/friends and maternal mental health, which are independent strong correlates of stigma.
Risk of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Patients With Schizophrenia Treated With Antipsychotic Drugs
Authors: Koreki Akihiro , Mori Hiroko , Nozaki Shoko , Koizumi Teruki , Suzuki Hisaomi , Onaya Mitsumoto
Published: June 2021

Background

Although the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia is higher than the prevalence in the general population, little is known regarding nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with schizophrenia.

Procedures

We analyzed the medical records of patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder (N = 253) who received an abdominal echography.

Results

In total, 108 patients (42.7%) showed NAFLD on abdominal echography. Of these, 13 patients (12.0%) showed signs of fibrosis on abdominal echography. In terms of age distribution, NAFLD was more prevalent in younger patients, particularly in female patients. We also found that body mass index, the total dose of antipsychotic drugs that carry a risk of metabolic syndrome, and the total dose of antipsychotic drugs that carry a risk of hyperprolactinemia were significantly associated with NAFLD (P < 0.001, 0.049, and 0.041, respectively). In our exploratory analysis, we found that signs of fibrosis in NAFLD were more highly associated with female patients (P = 0.023). Importantly, the risk in younger female patients may be specific to patients with schizophrenia compared with the general population.

Conclusions

Considering that antipsychotic drugs were associated with the development of NAFLD, early detection and management of NAFLD should be conducted in patients with schizophrenia.