bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water Quality Assessment of AL-Mahawil Stream/Babylon/Iraq Using Canadian Water Quality Index
Authors: Hameed Mohammad Al-Dehamee May
Published: April 2024

This study aimed to know the water quality in Al-Mahawil stream which is a stream from Euphrates River in Babylon governorate by using Canadian water quality index by determining the values of the most important physical and chemical parameters in water stream after taken three study sites along the stream [site 1 (S1), site 2 (S2), site 3 (S3)]. the data was determined seasonally after collection the samples monthly from December 2021 to November 2022. The results first finding out whether the values of these parameters within or above of Iraqi limiting standards of drinking water after that the Canadian water quality index (WQI) has been calculation, then determined if water stream can possibly directly used for drinking purpose or other uses. Generally, results pointed that some of physical and chemicals parameters were in Iraqi permissible limiting of drinking water, while others parameters were above Iraqi limiting standard. Also, the results showed that WQI for Al-Mahawil stream after used all study parameters for calculating was marginal and cannot used directly for drinking purpose. Also, results showed there was a significant differentiation among some parameters with positive correlation coefficients among it.
Relationship of SPP1 Promoter/Exon 5 gene polymorphism G>A/4187 in Some economic traits of Awassi sheep
Authors: Al-Huboby H.A. , Al-Anbari N.N.
Published: April 2024

This study was conducted in Iraq, Karbala Province (15 kilometers south of Karbala city). at the livestock field site of the Barakat Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas Station for Sheep Farming, The purpose was to detect genetic variations in the Secreted Phosphoprotein1 (SPP1) gene in the promoter region of exon 5 in local Awassi sheep.The study involved a sample of 48 local Awassi sheep, consisting of 62 ewes and their offspring, from December 1, 2022, for seven months. Find the current study It was found that there is a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the Promoter region of exon 5 at position SNP/G>A: P/4187 in the SPP1 gene. The allele frequencies for G and A were 0.95 and 0.05, respectively. The results of the current study showed significant differences (P≤0.05) in heart girth among the lambs at birth and weaning depending on the SPP1 gene polymorphism, There have also been significant differences in daily milk production. This study concludes that there is a relationship between SNPS and certain economic qualities in local Awassi sheep that can be exploited in election and improvement programs.
Effect of Alcoholic Extract of Carrichtera annua Plant on the Growth of Leishmania donovani Parasite, In vitro Study
Authors: Shahatha S S , AlFahdawy H S M , Dhulkefl A J , Mousa M O , Abood N M , Othman O M , AlFahdawy M I K
Published: April 2024

The current study was conducted to find out the efficacy of the alcohol extract of Al-Khashin plant Carrichtera annua plant in treating the Leishmania donovani parasite In vitro, where the concentration of 1.5 mg/ml resulted in an inhibitory effect on the growth of the promastigote of parasites at a percentage of 50% (LCD50) during 96 an hour at a rate of 38.1 x 103 cells/cm3 compared to the control treatment 76.2 x 103 cells/cm3, the results showed the significant inhibitory effect of the alcohol extract of Al-Khashin plant on the growth of Leishmania parasites, which led to a decrease in the number of generations and an increase in their time, as the number of generations reached 108.7 generation compared to the control treatment reached 232.5 generations using the same concentration within 96 hours of treatment, an inverse relationship was observed between increased concentration and generation time. The conclusion of the present study is the high efficiency of C. annua alcoholic extract in treating the L. donovani parasites as it led to an apparent inhibition of the growth of promastigote that was treated with different concentrations of the alcoholic extract of the plant.
Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Trihalomethans in Al-Hilla Drinking Water Plant
Authors: Hamza Abdul karim Marwa , Wali Alwan Saad
Published: April 2024

Trihalomethanes (THMs) have been assessed as potentially carcinogenic for humans and pose a hazard index for drinking water samples. Three water samples were collected namely - raw water, chlorinated water, and drinking water at the central drinking water plant in Babylon province. These samples were analyzed using Gas Chromatography to determine monthly variations in the levels of THM compounds, including Chloroform, Dibromochloromethane, Bromodichloromethane, and Bromoform. The concentrations varied, with high and low values: Chloroform (17.58, 0.47 μg/l), Dibromochloromethane (7.65, 0.08 μg/l), Bromodichloromethane (4.0, 0.03 μg/l), and Bromoform (0.89, 0.15 μg/l) in chlorine basin and supply pipes during the summer and winter months, respectively. A general pattern in the distribution of trihalomethane compounds at all sites was observed: Chloroform (51%) > Bromodichloromethane (21%) > Bromoform (17%) > Dibromochloromethane (11%). During May and June, the ingestion risks for Chloroform and overall THMs surpassed US EPA guidelines. This information is vital for Babylon water authorities assessing water quality’s health implications.
Evaluation of Copper Nanoparticle Synthesis by Fusarium oxysporum Antibacterial Activity Against Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Abdulhussein Saeed Ali Zahraa , Mohsin Yaseen Al-Araji Alaa
Published: April 2024

The creation of effective, environmentally friendly antimicrobial alternatives is becoming more and more important in light of the development of antibiotic resistance. The objective of the present study was to illustrate the biosynthetic process of copper (II) carbonate nanoparticles, CuCo3 NPs, by using Fusarium oxysporum culture filtrate as an antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical bacterial isolates, Staphylococcus aureus. Fusarium oxysporum isolate was diagnosed by PCR. One hundred and sixty specimens of pathogenic bacteria were collected from different sources (wounds, urine, sputum) then the bacterial isolates were diagnosed as Staphylococcus aureus by conventional morphological examination, biochemical tests, and the Vitek-2 system. Fusarium oxysporum culture filtrate was prepared by a culture of the fungus on Czapek Dox broth media modified by adding cornmeal and incubated for 14 days with shaking at 27±2°C and filtered in the last stages using a Millipore. The biosynthesis of CuCo3 NPs was done by adding 1g of CuCo3 Cu (OH)2 to 10 ml of Fusarium oxysporum culture filtrate. The NPs were diagnosed using modern methods, including UV-VIS, FT-IR, AFM, FE-SEM, and EDX techniques. Multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was tested on the produced Cu NPs. The results indicated that the prepared CuCo3 NPs inhibited pathogenic bacterial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus at concentration of 500, 250, 125, and 62.5 mg/ml.
Machine learning-based bioimpedance assessment of knee osteoarthritis severity
Authors: Muñoz Juan D , Mosquera Víctor H , Rengifo Carlos F , Roldan Elizabeth
Published: April 2024

This study proposes a multiclass model to classify the severity of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) using bioimpedance measurements. The experimental setup considered three types of measurements using eight electrodes: global impedance with adjacent pattern, global impedance with opposite pattern, and direct impedance measurement, which were taken using an electronic device proposed by authors and based on the Analog Devices AD5933 impedance converter. The study comprised 37 participants, 25 with healthy knees and 13 with three different degrees of KOA. All participants performed 20 repetitions of each of the following five tasks: (i) sitting with the knee bent, (ii) sitting with the knee extended, (iii) sitting and performing successive extensions and flexions of the knee, (iv) standing, and (v) walking. Data from the 15 experimental setups (3 types of measurements×5 exercises) were used to train a multiclass random forest. The training and validation cycle was repeated 100 times using random undersampling. At each of the 100 cycles, 80% of the data were used for training and the rest for testing. The results showed that the proposed approach achieved average sensitivities and specificities of 100% for the four KOA severity grades in the extension, cyclic, and gait tasks. This suggests that the proposed method can serve as a screening tool to determine which individuals should undergo x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging for further evaluation of KOA.
Accuracy vs memory advantage in the quantum simulation of stochastic processes
Authors: Banchi Leonardo
Published: April 2024

Many inference scenarios rely on extracting relevant information from known data in order to make future predictions. When the underlying stochastic process satisfies certain assumptions, there is a direct mapping between its exact classical and quantum simulators, with the latter asymptotically using less memory. Here we focus on studying whether such quantum advantage persists when those assumptions are not satisfied, and the model is doomed to have imperfect accuracy. By studying the trade-off between accuracy and memory requirements, we show that quantum models can reach the same accuracy with less memory, or alternatively, better accuracy with the same memory. Finally, we discuss the implications of this result for learning tasks.
Democracy’s Problem of Legal Revolution
Authors: Schupmann Benjamin A
Published: April 2024

This chapter explores the paradox of ‘legal revolution’, a process whereby antidemocratic actors such as populists exploit democratic elections and legal procedures to erode democratic constitutions. It presents a typology of legal revolutionary tactics, using recent examples to highlight the unique existential threat that they pose to constitutional democracies. The chapter also reveals a deeper concern about legal revolution. It is facilitated by the design of democratic constitutions, for example through the supremacy of the amendment clause. That insight leads to a dilemma: how can democracy be effectively safeguarded against legal revolution without compromising its essence as a democracy in the process?
Hypertension Prevalence and Control Among People With and Without HIV — United States, 2022
Authors: Weng Xingran , Kompaniyets Lyudmyla , Buchacz Kate , Thompson-Paul Angela M , Woodruff Rebecca C , Hoover Karen W , Huang Ya-lin A , Li Jun , Jackson Sandra L
Published: April 2024

BACKGROUND

People with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus; PWH) have higher rates of cardiovascular disease than people without HIV. However, limited information exists about hypertension prevalence and associated risk factors in PWH.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included adult patients in the 2022 IQVIATM Ambulatory Electronic Medical Record—US data. HIV was identified based on ≥2 HIV diagnosis codes or a positive HIV test. Hypertension was identified by diagnosis codes, ≥2 blood pressure (BP) readings ≥130/80 mm Hg, or an antihypertensive medication prescription. Among those with hypertension, control was defined as the most recent BP < 130/80 mm Hg. Logistic models using the marginal standardization method were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) of hypertension and hypertension control among all patients and PWH specifically, controlling for covariates.

RESULTS

Of 7,533,379 patients, 19,102 (0.3%) had HIV. PWH had higher hypertension prevalence (66% vs. 54%, aPR:1.14, 95% CI: 1.13–1.15) compared with people without HIV. Among persons with hypertension, PWH were more likely to have controlled hypertension (aPR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.07–1.13) compared with people without HIV. Among PWH, those from the South were more likely to have hypertension (aPR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02–1.12) than PWH from the Northeast, while Black PWH were less likely to have controlled hypertension (aPR: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.67–0.77) than White PWH.

CONCLUSIONS

PWH were more likely to have hypertension than people without HIV. Geographic and racial disparities in hypertension prevalence and control were observed among PWH. Optimal care for PWH includes comprehensive strategies to screen for, prevent, and manage hypertension.
Epiphytes as leading indicators of climate and other changes. A commentary on ‘Interactions of moisture and light drive lichen growth and the response to climate change scenarios – experimental evidence forLobaria pulmonaria’
Authors: Stanton Daniel E
Published: April 2024

This article comments on:

Martine Borge and Christopher J. Ellis, Interactions of moisture and light drive lichen growth and the response to climate change scenarios: experimental evidence for Lobaria pulmonaria, Annals of Botany, Volume 134, Issue 1, 3 July 2024, Pages 43–57 https://doi.org/10.1093/aob/mcae029
Prior knowledge-guided multilevel graph neural network for tumor risk prediction and interpretation via multi-omics data integration
Authors: Yan Hongxi , Weng Dawei , Li Dongguo , Gu Yu , Ma Wenji , Liu Qingjie
Published: April 2024

The interrelation and complementary nature of multi-omics data can provide valuable insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying diseases. However, challenges such as limited sample size, high data dimensionality and differences in omics modalities pose significant obstacles to fully harnessing the potential of these data. The prior knowledge such as gene regulatory network and pathway information harbors useful gene–gene interaction and gene functional module information. To effectively integrate multi-omics data and make full use of the prior knowledge, here, we propose a Multilevel-graph neural network (GNN): a hierarchically designed deep learning algorithm that sequentially leverages multi-omics data, gene regulatory networks and pathway information to extract features and enhance accuracy in predicting survival risk. Our method achieved better accuracy compared with existing methods. Furthermore, key factors nonlinearly associated with the tumor pathogenesis are prioritized by employing two interpretation algorithms (i.e. GNN-Explainer and IGscore) for neural networks, at gene and pathway level, respectively. The top genes and pathways exhibit strong associations with disease in survival analyses, many of which such as SEC61G and CYP27B1 are previously reported in the literature.
Sexual dimorphism and female ecomorphology in Anolis (Squamata: Anolidae): knowledge of female morphology increases the understanding of Anolis diversification
Authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez Juan Diego , Calderón-Espinosa Martha L
Published: April 2024

The study of sexual dimorphism in Anolis lizards brings the opportunity to understand how this phenomena interacts with adaptive radiation to produce broader diversity. We explored this phenomenon in 43 Anolis species from northwestern South America. Morphometric analysis with body size and shape, and lamellae number, were used to estimate the indexes of size dimorphism, and dimorphism in other ecomorphological traits. Almost half of these species exhibit differences between sexes in all traits, and body size relates to size dimorphism but not to shape dimorphism. When female and male data are analyzed separately, we found four and five morphotypes, respectively. Males and females of 10 species exhibit a huge difference in morphology, and the two sexes in these species were assigned to different morphotypes. In addition, SURFACE analyses reveal that the morphology of sexes evolved towards slightly different adaptive regimes, numbers and patterns, suggesting that the lower female morphological diversity highlights the more conservative nature of the female niches. Finally, our study demonstrates the need for ecological information to explain morphological patterns in dimorphic species, and to further understand the mechanisms that drive the evolution of morphological diversity in this genus.
Association of objective sleep duration with cognition and brain aging biomarkers in older adults
Authors: Tang Shi , Liu Rui , Ren Juan , Song Lin , Dong Lingling , Qin Yu , Zhao Mingqing , Wang Yongxiang , Dong Yi , Zhao Tong , Liu Cuicui , Hou Tingting , Cong Lin , Sindi Shireen , Winblad Bengt , Du Yifeng , Qiu Chengxuan
Published: April 2024

The neuropathological mechanisms underlying the association between sleep duration and mild cognitive impairment remain poorly understood. This population-based study included 2032 dementia-free people (age ≥ 60 years; 55.1% women) derived from participants in the Multimodal Interventions to Delay Dementia and Disability in Rural China; of these, data were available in 841 participants for Alzheimer’s plasma biomarkers (e.g. amyloid-β, total tau and neurofilament light chain), 1044 for serum microvascular biomarkers (e.g. soluble adhesion molecules) and 834 for brain MRI biomarkers (e.g. whiter matter, grey matter, hippocampus, lacunes, enlarged perivascular spaces and white matter hyperintensity WMH). We used electrocardiogram-based cardiopulmonary coupling analysis to measure sleep duration, a neuropsychological test battery to assess cognitive function and the Petersen’s criteria to define mild cognitive impairment. Data were analysed with multivariable logistic and general linear models. In the total sample (n = 2032), 510 participants were defined with mild cognitive impairment, including 438 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and 72 with non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Long sleep duration (>8 versus 6–8 h) was significantly associated with increased likelihoods of mild cognitive impairment and non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment and lower scores in global cognition, verbal fluency, attention and executive function (Bonferroni-corrected P < 0.05). In the subsamples, long sleep duration was associated with higher plasma amyloid-β40 and total tau, a lower amyloid-β42/amyloid-β40 ratio and smaller grey matter volume (Bonferroni-corrected P < 0.05). Sleep duration was not significantly associated with serum-soluble adhesion molecules, white matter hyperintensity volume, global enlarged perivascular spaces and lacunes (P > 0.05). Alzheimer’s and neurodegenerative pathologies may represent common pathways linking long sleep duration with mild cognitive impairment and low cognition in older adults.
Ectopic Pregnancy as Previable Delivery
Authors: Buskmiller Cara
Published: April 2024

Inside and outside of a Christian worldview, bioethicists have discussed ectopic pregnancy at some length as a maternal-fetal vital conflict. Most bioethicists agree that methotrexate and salpingostomy are low-risk, successful interventions for this life-threatening pathology, and are thus beneficent, just, and wholly acceptable. A small cohort of Christian, largely Catholic, bioethicists have reservations about methotrexate and salpingostomy, but cannot resolve their internal disputes about these because of flawed casuistry. This paper aims to settle the issue about whether methotrexate and salpingostomy are acceptable within a Catholic worldview: despite the best arguments in favor of methotrexate as a moral option, it is morally unacceptable, and despite hesitation about salpingostomy related to analogies with previable delivery, it is the optimal procedure for ectopic pregnancy.
Relative saliency affects attentional capture and suppression of color and face singleton distractors: evidence from event-related potential studies
Authors: Zhang Yue , Zhang Hai , Fu Shimin
Published: April 2024

Prior research has yet to fully elucidate the impact of varying relative saliency between target and distractor on attentional capture and suppression, along with their underlying neural mechanisms, especially when social (e.g. face) and perceptual (e.g. color) information interchangeably serve as singleton targets or distractors, competing for attention in a search array. Here, we employed an additional singleton paradigm to investigate the effects of relative saliency on attentional capture (as assessed by N2pc) and suppression (as assessed by PD) of color or face singleton distractors in a visual search task by recording event-related potentials. We found that face singleton distractors with higher relative saliency induced stronger attentional processing. Furthermore, enhancing the physical salience of colors using a bold color ring could enhance attentional processing toward color singleton distractors. Reducing the physical salience of facial stimuli by blurring weakened attentional processing toward face singleton distractors; however, blurring enhanced attentional processing toward color singleton distractors because of the change in relative saliency. In conclusion, the attentional processes of singleton distractors are affected by their relative saliency to singleton targets, with higher relative saliency of singleton distractors resulting in stronger attentional capture and suppression; faces, however, exhibit some specificity in attentional capture and suppression due to high social saliency.
Bictegravir Use During Pregnancy: A Multicenter Retrospective Analysis Evaluating HIV Viral Suppression and Perinatal Outcomes
Authors: Holt Lauren M , Short William R , Momplaisir Florence , Hyun Eleanor , McKinney Jennifer , Lugo Morales Andrea , Duque Alejandra , Druyan Brian , Ndubizu Chima , Duthely Luthita , Joseph Naima , Sheth Anandi N , Badell Martina L
Published: April 2024

This study describes the largest cohort to date (n = 147) of pregnant patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on bictegravir (BIC). BIC in pregnancy was associated with high levels of viral suppression and perinatal outcomes similar to those in the published literature. These findings support consideration for the use of BIC in managing HIV during pregnancy.
Performance of Urinalysis Parameters in Predicting Urinary Tract Infection: Does One Size Fit All?
Authors: Advani Sonali D , North Rebecca , Turner Nicholas A , Ahmadi Sahra , Denniss Julia , Francis Adero , Johnson Rachel , Hasan Anum , Mirza Faryal , Pardue Sarah , Rao Meghana , Rosshandler Yasmin , Tang Helen , Schmader Kenneth E , Anderson Deverick J
Published: April 2024

In a multihospital cohort study of 3392 patients, positive urinalysis parameters had poor positive predictive value for diagnosing urinary tract infection (UTI). Combined urinalysis parameters (pyuria or nitrite) performed better than pyuria alone for ruling out UTI. However, performance of all urinalysis parameters was poor in older women.
Long-term pituitary function and functional and patient-reported outcomes in severe acquired brain injury
Authors: Marina Djordje , Feldt-Rasmussen Ulla , Klose Marianne
Published: April 2024

Objective

Assessment of posttraumatic hypothalamic–pituitary dysfunctions is expected to be the most relevant assessment to offer patients with severe intracranial affection. In this study, we aim to investigate the prevalence of hypopituitarism in patients with severe acquired traumatic brain injury (TBI) compared with nontraumatic brain injury (NTBI) and to relate pituitary insufficiency to functional and patient-reported outcomes.

Design

This is a prospective study.

Methods

We included patients admitted for inpatient neurorehabilitation after severe TBI (N = 42) and NTBI (N = 18). The patients underwent a pituitary function assessment at a mean of 2.4 years after the injury. Functional outcome was assessed by using Functional Independence Measure and Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (both 1 year after discharge from neurorehabilitation) and patient-reported outcome was assessed by using Multiple Fatigue Inventory-20 and EQ-5D-3L.

Results

Hypopituitarism was reported in 10/42 (24%) patients with TBI and 7/18 (39%) patients with NTBI (P = .23). Insufficiencies affected 1 axis in 14/17 (82%) patients (13 hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and 1 growth hormone [GH] deficiency) and 2 axes in 3/17 (18%) patients (1 hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and GH deficiency, and 2 hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and arginin vasopressin deficiency). None had central hypoadrenalism or central hypothyroidism. In patients with both TBI and NTBI, pituitary status was unrelated to functioning and ability scores at 1 year and to patient-reported outcome scores at a mean of 2.4 years after the injury.

Conclusion

Patients with severe acquired brain injury may develop long-term hypothalamus–pituitary insufficiency, with an equal occurrence in patients with TBI and NTBI. In both types of patients, mainly isolated deficiencies, most commonly affecting the gonadal axis, were seen. Insufficiencies were unrelated to functional outcomes and patient-reported outcomes, probably reflecting the complexity and heterogeneous manifestations in both patient groups.
Did Alexander Utendal really compose the motet Angelus Domini a23 in A-Wn, HAN Cod. 9814?
Authors: Rainer Bernhard
Published: April 2024

The collection HAN Cod. 9814 in the Austrian National Library contains the motet Angelus Domini a23 attributed to the composer Alexander Utendal (after 1530–1581), copied by the scribe Georg Khues (fl.1579–1621) apparently as a gift for Emperor Matthias (1557–1619) on his 60th birthday on 24 February 1617. Although the very unusual scoring of the composition, with 23 voices in four choirs, immediately raises doubts, the attribution of the work to Utendal has not been questioned in the literature so far. After a thorough compositional and textual analysis, the present study will suggest that Angelus Domini was not written by Utendal, but by a representative of the Venetian polychoral school around 1600. Furthermore, the compositional device of two low voices in unison in tutti sections, used in Angelus Dominus a23, is taken as a reference point to place the motet in the vicinity of similar works known to have been written by composers active at the court of Ferdinand II (1578–1637) in Graz.
Aspirin hypersensitivity: a practical guide for cardiologists
Authors: Grimaldi Silvia , Migliorini Paola , Puxeddu Ilaria , Rossini Roberta , De Caterina Raffaele
Published: April 2024

Aspirin has been known for a long time and currently stays as a cornerstone of antithrombotic therapy in cardiovascular disease. In patients with either acute or chronic coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention aspirin is mandatory in a dual antiplatelet therapy regimen for prevention of stent thrombosis and/or new ischaemic events. Aspirin is also currently a first-option antithrombotic therapy after an aortic prosthetic valve replacement and is occasionally required in addition to oral anticoagulants after implantation of a mechanical valve. Presumed or demonstrated aspirin hypersensitivity is a main clinical problem, limiting the use of a life-saving medication. In the general population, aspirin hypersensitivity has a prevalence of 0.6%–2.5% and has a plethora of clinical presentations, ranging from aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease to anaphylaxis. Although infrequent, when encountered in clinical practice aspirin hypersensitivity poses for cardiologists a clinical dilemma, which should never be trivialized, avoiding—as much as possible—omission of the drug. We here review the epidemiology of aspirin hypersensitivity, provide an outline of pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical presentations, and review management options, starting from a characterization of true aspirin allergy—in contrast to intolerance—to suggestion of desensitization protocols.
Income variability and incident cardiovascular disease in diabetes: a population-based cohort study
Authors: Park Yong-Moon Mark , Baek Jong-Ha , Lee Hong Seok , Elfassy Tali , Brown Clare C , Schootman Mario , Narcisse Marie-Rachelle , Ko Seung-Hyun , McElfish Pearl A , Thomsen Michael R , Amick Benjamin C , Lee Seong-Su , Han Kyungdo
Published: April 2024

Background and Aims

Longitudinal change in income is crucial in explaining cardiovascular health inequalities. However, there is limited evidence for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk associated with income dynamics over time among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Using a nationally representative sample from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database, 1 528 108 adults aged 30–64 with T2D and no history of CVD were included from 2009 to 2012 (mean follow-up of 7.3 years). Using monthly health insurance premium information, income levels were assessed annually for the baseline year and the four preceding years. Income variability was defined as the intraindividual standard deviation of the percent change in income over 5 years. The primary outcome was a composite event of incident fatal and nonfatal CVD (myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke) using insurance claims. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated after adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

High-income variability was associated with increased CVD risk (HRhighest vs. lowest quartile 1.25, 95% CI 1.22–1.27; Ptrend < .001). Individuals who experienced an income decline (4 years ago vs. baseline) had increased CVD risk, which was particularly notable when the income decreased to the lowest level (i.e. Medical Aid beneficiaries), regardless of their initial income status. Sustained low income (i.e. lowest income quartile) over 5 years was associated with increased CVD risk (HRn = 5 years vs. n = 0 years 1.38, 95% CI 1.35–1.41; Ptrend < .0001), whereas sustained high income (i.e. highest income quartile) was associated with decreased CVD risk (HRn = 5 years vs. n = 0 years 0.71, 95% CI 0.70–0.72; Ptrend < .0001). Sensitivity analyses, exploring potential mediators, such as lifestyle-related factors and obesity, supported the main results.

Conclusions

Higher income variability, income declines, and sustained low income were associated with increased CVD risk. Our findings highlight the need to better understand the mechanisms by which income dynamics impact CVD risk among individuals with T2D.
Device-specific quality of life: results from the ATLAS trial—avoid transvenous leads in appropriate subjects
Authors: Carroll Sandra L , Mondésert Blandine , Krahn Andrew D , Bashir Jamil G , Fisher Kathryn , Nair Kalpana , Healey Jeff S
Published: April 2024

Aims

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) provide important insights into patients’ acceptance of their medical devices. Avoid Transvenous Leads in Appropriate Subjects (ATLAS), a randomized, multi-centre, open-label clinical trial, recently reported fewer perioperative complications in subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) compared with transvenous ICD (TV-ICD) patients. This study reports PROs, including device-specific and generic quality of life (QOL), from the ATLAS trial.

Methods and results

Device-specific QOL was the primary PRO using the Florida Patient Acceptance Survey (FPAS) at 1 and 6 months’ post-implantation. Secondary outcomes included generic QOL using the Medical Outcomes Survey (SF-36) pre-implant and 6 months’ post-implantation. The FPAS and SF-36 were analysed using analysis of covariance. Pain measured using a Numeric Rating Scale, at 1 and 6 months, anaesthetic, body mass index, and within/between differences were analysed using descriptive statistics and mixed-effects linear models. Of the 503 patients randomized in ATLAS, 404 had complete FPAS data to be included in this analysis. Participant characteristics were balanced. There were no significant differences between S-ICD and TV-ICD for the FPAS or SF-36, across time points. Mean total FPAS scores increased from 73.73 (16.09) to 77.05 (16.13) and 74.43 (15.35) to 78.25 (15.88) for S-ICD and TV-ICD, respectively (P < 0.001). Patient-reported outcomes suggested that both devices were associated with good QOL.

Conclusion

Device-specific and generic QOL were similar between S-ICD and TV-ICD groups up to 6 months’ post-implantation, indicating that regardless of device type, both groups reported good device-specific QOL in ATLAS patients. Subcutaneous ICD patients reported higher pain scores at implant, but pain decreased by 6 months. The findings offer evidence that can be included during shared decision-making. The inclusion of patient partners in ATLAS provided an opportunity to measure PROs that were deemed important to patients.

Registration

ClinialTrials.gov: NCT02881255
Deletion of yghZ in Escherichia coli promotes growth in presence of furfural with xylose as carbon source
Authors: Jilani S Bilal
Published: April 2024

Thermo-acidic pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass is required to make it amenable to microbial metabolism and results in generation of furfural due to breakdown of pentose sugars. Furfural is toxic to microbial metabolism and results in reduced microbial productivity and increased production costs. This study asks if deletion of yghZ gene which encodes a NADPH-dependent aldehyde reductase enzyme results in improved furfural tolerance in Escherichia coli host. The ∆yghZ strain—SSK201–was tested for tolerance to furfural in presence of 5% xylose as a carbon source in AM1 minimal medium. At 96 h and in presence of 1.0 g/L furfural, the culture harboring strain SSK201 displayed 4.5-fold higher biomass, 2-fold lower furfural concentration and 15.75-fold higher specific growth rate (µ) as compared to the parent strain SSK42. The furfural tolerance advantage of SSK201 was retained when the carbon source was switched to glucose in AM1 medium and was lost in rich LB medium. The findings have potential to be scaled up to a hydrolysate culture medium, which contains furan inhibitors and lack nutritionally rich components, under bioreactor cultivation and observe growth advantage of the ∆yghZ host. It harbors potential to generate robust industrial strains which can convert lignocellulosic carbon into metabolites of interest in a cost-efficient manner.
Gastrointestinal microbiota-directed nutritional and therapeutic interventions for inflammatory bowel disease: opportunities and challenges
Authors: Paudel Devendra , Nair Divek V T , Joseph Grace , Castro Rita , Tiwari Amit K , Singh Vishal
Published: April 2024

Evidence-based research has confirmed the role of gastrointestinal microbiota in regulating intestinal inflammation. These data have generated interest in developing microbiota-based therapies for the prevention and management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite in-depth understanding of the etiology of IBD, it currently lacks a cure and requires ongoing management. Accumulating data suggest that an aberrant gastrointestinal microbiome, often referred to as dysbiosis, is a significant environmental instigator of IBD. Novel microbiome-targeted interventions including prebiotics, probiotics, fecal microbiota transplant, and small molecule microbiome modulators are being evaluated as therapeutic interventions to attenuate intestinal inflammation by restoring a healthy microbiota composition and function. In this review, the effectiveness and challenges of microbiome-centered interventions that have the potential to alleviate intestinal inflammation and improve clinical outcomes of IBD are explored.
Reframing Fall Prevention and Risk Management as a Chronic Condition Through the Lens of the Expanded Chronic Care Model: Will Integrating Clinical Care and Public Health Improve Outcomes?
Authors: Vincenzo Jennifer L , Bergen Gwen , Casey Colleen M , Eckstrom Elizabeth
Published: April 2024

Falls are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among adults aged 65 years and older (older adults) and are increasingly recognized as a chronic condition. Yet, fall-related care is infrequently provided in a chronic care context despite fall-related death rates increasing by 41% between 2012 and 2021. One of the many challenges to addressing falls is the absence of fall-focused chronic disease management programs, which improve outcomes of other chronic conditions, like diabetes. Policies, information systems, and clinical-community connections help form the backbone of chronic disease management programs, yet these elements are often missing in fall prevention. Reframing fall prevention through the Expanded Chronic Care Model (ECCM) guided by implementation science to simultaneously support the uptake of evidence-based practices could help improve the care of older adults at risk for falling. The ECCM includes seven components: (1) self-management/develop personal skills, (2) decision support, (3) delivery system design/re-orient health services, (4) information systems, (5) build healthy public policy, (6) create supportive environments, and (7) strengthen community action. Applying the ECCM to falls-related care by integrating health care delivery system changes, community resources, and public policies to support patient-centered engagement for self-management offers the potential to prevent falls more effectively among older adults.
Simulating squirt flow in realistic rock models using graphical processing units (GPUs)
Authors: Alkhimenkov Yury
Published: April 2024

Understanding the underlying mechanisms of seismic attenuation and moduli dispersion in fluid-saturated cracked porous rocks is of great importance for the development of non-invasive methods to characterize the subsurface. Wave-induced fluid flow at the pore scale, so-called squirt flow, is responsible for seismic attenuation and moduli dispersion at sonic and ultra-sonic frequencies and may be relevant at seismic frequencies. The squirt flow associated attenuation is usually quantified using analytical models. However, numerical experiments suggest that the squirt flow related dissipation is sensitive to fine details of the pore geometry, which can only be modelled numerically. Most of the existing numerical studies explore this phenomenon using simplified models, and there is a lack of numerical studies that model the physics in realistic pore geometries with sufficient numerical resolution. As a result, the impact of wave-induced fluid flow on the effective static and time-dependent mechanical characteristics in realistic settings is still poorly understood. I address these issues by developing a numerical method to model the effective mechanical properties of a hydromechanically coupled system at the pore scale suitable for graphical processing units. A numerical evaluation of attenuation and modulus dispersion due to squirt flow in models based on 3-D microtomography images of cracked Carrara marble is presented. It is shown that the local hydraulic conductivity can be quantitatively estimated from the numerically evaluated effective properties. The accuracy of the numerical results is carefully analysed. This study improves the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of attenuation and moduli dispersion in fluid-saturated cracked rocks. The new method can be applied to model squirt flow for entire laboratory samples in the centimetre scale which was not possible a decade ago.
De novo assembling a high-quality genome sequence of Amur grape (Vitis amurensis Rupr.) gives insight into Vitis divergence and sex determination
Authors: Wang Pengfei , Meng Fanbo , Yang Yiming , Ding Tingting , Liu Huiping , Wang Fengxia , Li Ao , Zhang Qingtian , Li Ke , Fan Shutian , Li Bo , Ma Zhiyao , Zhang Tianhao , Zhou Yongfeng , Zhao Hongjun , Wang Xiyin
Published: April 2024

To date, there has been no high-quality sequence for genomes of the East Asian grape species, hindering biological and breeding efforts to improve grape cultivars. This study presents ~522 Mb of the Vitis amurensis (Va) genome sequence containing 27 635 coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that Vitis riparia (Vr) may have first split from the other two species, Va and Vitis vinifera (Vv). Divergent numbers of duplicated genes reserved among grapes suggests that the core eudicot-common hexaploidy (ECH) and the subsequent genome instability still play a non-negligible role in species divergence and biological innovation. Prominent accumulation of sequence variants might have improved cold resistance in Va, resulting in a more robust network of regulatory cold resistance genes, explaining why it is extremely cold-tolerant compared with Vv and Vr. In contrast, Va has preserved many fewer nucleotide binding site (NBS) disease resistance genes than the other grapes. Notably, multi-omics analysis identified one trans-cinnamate 4-monooxygenase gene positively correlated to the resveratrol accumulated during Va berry development. A selective sweep analysis revealed a hypothetical Va sex-determination region (SDR). Besides, a PPR-containing protein-coding gene in the hypothetical SDR may be related to sex determination in Va. The content and arrangement order of genes in the putative SDR of female Va were similar to those of female Vv. However, the putative SDR of female Va has lost one flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) gene and contains one extra protein-coding gene uncharacterized so far. These findings will improve the understanding of Vitis biology and contribute to the improvement of grape breeding.
A Generalization of Operads Based on Subgraph Contractions
Authors: Lyskov Denis
Published: April 2024

We introduce a generalization of the notion of operad that we call a contractad, whose set of operations is indexed by connected graphs and whose composition rules are numbered by contractions of connected subgraphs. We show that many classical operads, such as the operad of commutative algebras, Lie algebras, associative algebras, pre-Lie algebras, the little disks operad, and the operad of moduli spaces of stable curves $\operatorname{\overline{{\mathcal{M}}}}_{0,n+1}$, admit generalizations to contractads. We explain that standard tools like Koszul duality and the machinery of Gröbner bases can be easily generalized to contractads. We verify the Koszul property of the commutative, Lie, associative, and Gerstenhaber contractads.
The Genetic Diversity of Nipah Virus Across Spatial Scales
Authors: Cortes-Azuero Oscar , Lefrancq Noémie , Nikolay Birgit , McKee Clifton , Cappelle Julien , Hul Vibol , Ou Tey Putita , Hoem Thavry , Lemey Philippe , Rahman Mohammed Ziaur , Islam Ausraful , Gurley Emily S , Duong Veasna , Salje Henrik
Published: April 2024

Background

Nipah virus (NiV), a highly lethal virus in humans, circulates in Pteropus bats throughout South and Southeast Asia. Difficulty in obtaining viral genomes from bats means we have a poor understanding of NiV diversity.

Methods

We develop phylogenetic approaches applied to the most comprehensive collection of genomes to date (N = 257, 175 from bats, 73 from humans) from 6 countries over 22 years (1999–2020). We divide the 4 major NiV sublineages into 15 genetic clusters. Using Approximate Bayesian Computation fit to a spatial signature of viral diversity, we estimate the presence and the average size of genetic clusters per area.

Results

We find that, within any bat roost, there are an average of 2.4 co-circulating genetic clusters, rising to 5.5 clusters at areas of 1500–2000 km2. We estimate that each genetic cluster occupies an average area of 1.3 million km2 (95% confidence interval [CI], .6–2.3 million km2), with 14 clusters in an area of 100 000 km2 (95% CI, 6–24 km2). In the few sites in Bangladesh and Cambodia where genomic surveillance has been concentrated, we estimate that most clusters have been identified, but only approximately 15% of overall NiV diversity has been uncovered.

Conclusions

Our findings are consistent with entrenched co-circulation of distinct lineages, even within roosts, coupled with slow migration over larger spatial scales.
Determining the prevalence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in manure of dairy lagoons
Authors: Pandey Prachi , Gaa Megan Elise , Huo Jiang , Okada Yu , Lee Katie Yen , Giat Sharon , Li Xunde , Zhang Ruihong , Pandey Pramod
Published: April 2024

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of microbial pathogens in manure of dairy lagoons in California.

Methods and results

To determine pathogens in dairy manure stored in anaerobic lagoons of dairy farm, an extensive field study was conducted across California to sample manure from 20 dairy farms. Samples were analyzed to determine the prevalence of indicator Escherichia coli, Shiga toxin producing E. coli (STEC), Salmonella, and E. coli O157: H7. To test the E. coli, STEC, and Salmonella, we used agar culture-based method followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. In addition, a real- time PCR based method was used to determine the presence of E coli O157: H7. Study demonstrated that the prevalence of Salmonella in manure sample is lower than E. coli. The presence of Salmonella was found in 2.26% of the samples, and both the culture-based and PCR methods yielded comparable outcomes in detecting Salmonella. Moreover, ∼11.30% of the total samples out of the 177 were identified as positive for STEC by qPCR.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that indicator E. coli are abundantly present in anaerobic lagoons. However, the presence of STEC, and Salmonella is substantially low.
K1 capsule-dependent phage-driven evolution in Escherichia coli leading to phage resistance and biofilm production
Authors: Antoine Céline , Laforêt Fanny , Fall Abdoulaye , Blasdel Bob , Delcenserie Véronique , Thiry Damien
Published: April 2024

Aims

Understanding bacterial phage resistance mechanisms has implications for developing phage-based therapies. This study aimed to explore the development of phage resistance in Escherichia coli K1 isolates’ to K1-ULINTec4, a K1-dependent bacteriophage.

Methods and results

Resistant colonies were isolated from two different strains (APEC 45 and C5), both previously exposed to K1-ULINTec4. Genome analysis and several parameters were assessed, including growth capacity, phage adsorption, phenotypic impact at capsular level, biofilm production, and virulence in the in vivo Galleria mellonella larvae model. One out of the six resistant isolates exhibited a significantly slower growth rate, suggesting the presence of a resistance mechanism altering its fitness. Comparative genomic analysis revealed insertion sequences in the region 2 of the kps gene cluster involved in the capsule biosynthesis. In addition, an immunoassay targeting the K1 capsule showed a very low positive reaction compared to the control. Nevertheless, microscopic images of resistant strains revealed the presence of capsules with a clustered organization of bacterial cells and biofilm assessment showed an increased biofilm production compared to the sensitive strains. In the G. mellonella model, larvae infected with phage-resistant isolates showed better survival rates than larvae infected with phage-sensitive strains.

Conclusions

A phage resistance mechanism was identified at the genomic level and had a negative impact on the K1 capsule production. The resistant isolates showed an increased biofilm production and a decreased virulence in vivo.