bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic monitoring of the effects of adherence to medication on survival in heart failure patients: A joint modeling approach exploiting time‐varying covariates
Authors: Spreafico Marta , Ieva Francesca
Published: September 2020

Adherence to medication is the process by which patients take their drugs as prescribed, and represents an issue in pharmacoepidemiological studies. Poor adherence is often associated with adverse health conditions and outcomes, especially in case of chronic diseases such as heart failure (HF). This turns out in an increased request for health care services, and in a greater burden for the health care system. In recent years, there has been a substantial growth in pharmacotherapy research, aimed at studying effects and consequences of proper/improper adherence to medication both for the increasing awareness of the problem and for the pervasiveness of poor adherence among patients. However, the way adherence is computed and accounted for into predictive models is far from being informative as it may be. In fact, it is usually analyzed as a fixed baseline covariate, without considering its time‐varying behavior. The purpose and novelty of this study is to define a new personalized monitoring tool exploiting time‐varying definition of adherence to medication, within a joint modeling approach. In doing so, we are able to capture and quantify the association between the longitudinal process of dynamic adherence to medication with the long‐term survival outcome. Another novelty of this approach consists of exploiting the potential of health care administrative databases in order to reconstruct the dynamics of drugs consumption through pharmaceutical administrative registries. In particular, we analyzed administrative data provided byRegione Lombardia ‐ Healthcare Divisionrelated to patients hospitalized for HF between 2000 and 2012.
Cinnamaldehyde supplementation prevents fasting‐induced hyperphagia, lipid accumulation, and inflammation in high‐fat diet‐fed mice
Authors: Khare Pragyanshu , Jagtap Sneha , Jain Yachna , Baboota Ritesh K. , Mangal Priyanka , Boparai Ravneet K. , Bhutani Kamlesh K. , Sharma Shyam S. , Premkumar Louis S. , Kondepudi Kanthi K. , Chopra Kanwaljit , Bishnoi Mahendra
Published: September 2020

Cinnamaldehyde, a bioactive component of cinnamon, is increasingly gaining interest for its preventive and therapeutic effects against metabolic complications like type‐2 diabetes. This study is an attempt to understand the effect of cinnamaldehyde in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐associated increase in fasting‐induced hyperphagia and related hormone levels, adipose tissue lipolysis and inflammation, and selected cecal microbial count in mice. Cinnamaldehyde, at 40 µm dose, prevented lipid accumulation and altered gene expression toward lipolytic phenotype in 3T3‐L1 preadipocyte cell lines. In vivo, cinnamaldehyde coadministration prevented HFD‐induced body weight gain, decreased fasting‐induced hyperphagia, as well as circulating leptin and leptin/ghrelin ratio. In addition to that, cinnamaldehyde altered serum biochemical parameters related to lipolysis, that is, glycerol and free fatty acid levels. At transcriptional level, cinnamaldehyde increased anorectic gene expression in hypothalamus and lipolytic gene expression in visceral white adipose tissue. Furthermore, cinnamaldehyde also decreased serum IL‐1β and inflammatory gene expression in visceral white adipose tissue. However, cinnamaldehyde did not modulate the population of selected gut microbial (Lactobacillus, Bifidibaceria, and Roseburia) count in cecal content. In conclusion, cinnamaldehyde increased adipose tissue lipolysis, decreased fasting‐induced hyperphagia, normalized circulating levels of leptin/ghrelin ratio, and reduced inflammation in HFD‐fed mice, which augurs well for its antiobesity role. © 2016 BioFactors, 42(2):201–211, 2016
Does network work? Women business‐owners' access to information regarding financial support from development programme in Bangladesh
Authors: Jaim Jasmine
Published: September 2020

While networking is crucial for accessing information of women entrepreneurs, this issue has been overlooked in developing nations. Exploring women business‐owners' networks for gathering bank loans related information is particularly significant for those developing countries where the government has taken an initiative to financially support women for their empowerment. Based on the interviews of women business‐owners in Bangladesh, this study explores their access to information concerning the development programme in terms of special bank loans. This research yields valuable insights concerning the nature and dynamics of informal and formal networks of women in gathering bank loans related information. Thus, within the context of development programmes, this research substantially contributes to the understanding of women's networking in developing nations. It also provides valuable suggestions for policy practitioners to empower women through development programmes.
LncRNA PITPNA‐AS1 boosts the proliferation and migration of lung squamous cell carcinoma cells by recruiting TAF15 to stabilize HMGB3 mRNA
Authors: Ren Ping , Xing Lei , Hong Xiaodong , Chang Liang , Zhang Hong
Published: September 2020

Plenty of reports have probed the involvement of abnormally expressed lncRNAs in multiple cancers, including lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). Through online database GEPIA, lncRNA PITPNA antisense RNA 1 (PITPNA‐AS1) was highly expressed in LUSC samples, and these tendency was further affirmed in LUSC cells. The aim of current study was to investigate the related mechanism of PITPNA‐AS1 in LUSC. Functional experiments verified that depletion of PITPNA‐AS1 hampered the proliferative and migratory abilities, but accelerated apoptosis of LUSC cells. Additionally, we observed the increased expression of HMGB3 and its positive correlation with PITPNA‐AS1 in LUSC samples. Interestingly, PITPNA‐AS1 mainly located in the cytosol of LUSC cells, and also affected mRNA stability of HMGB3. Furthermore, the repressed mRNA stability of HMGB3 by PITPNA‐AS1 via TAF15 was exposed through mechanism experiments. The mediatory function of PITPNA‐AS1 on HMGB3 was validated via rescue assays. All in all, PITPNA‐AS1 promoted the proliferation and migration of LUSC cells via stabilizing HMGB3 by TAF15. In conclusion, our study displayed a novel mechanism underlying PITPNA‐AS1 in LUSC cells.
Folding patch correspondence for multiview stereo
Authors: Liao Jie , Fu Yanping , Yan Qingan , Xiao Chunxia
Published: September 2020

In this article, we propose the novel folding patch model which can replace the traditional patch model utilized in patch‐based multiview stereo (MVS) methods to significantly improve the reconstruction results. The patch model is applied as an approximation of the scene surface differential in the geometric estimation procedure. By minimizing the photometric discrepancy of the projection of the patch model on multiple source images, patch‐based MVS algorithms optimize the position and normal values for the 3D hypothesis of the target pixel. The optimization is based on the assumption that the patch model can fit the target scene surface perfectly. However, when it comes to complex scenes crowded with sharp edges, splintery surfaces, or round surfaces, the patch model is inherently not suitable since even from the microscopic perspective these surfaces are not entirely flat. We construct the folding patch model by folding the traditional patch model from the middle line. By adjusting the folding angle and direction, the folding patch model can fit complex surfaces more flexibly. We apply our folding patch model to the representative open‐source patch based multiview stereo (PMVS) and COLMAP, and validate the effectiveness on ETH3D benchmark and data sets captured in nature. The results demonstrate that utilizing the folding patch model can significantly improve the behavior of PMVS and COLMAP, especially on data sets mainly consist of complex surfaces from plants.
Comparing the clinical and prognostic impact of proximal versus nonproximal lesions in dominant right coronary artery ST‐elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Femia Giuseppe , Faour Amir , Assad Joseph , Sharma Lokesh , Idris Hanan , Gibbs Oliver , Pender Patrick , Leung Dominic , Hopkins Andrew , Rajaratnam Rohan , P Juergens Craig , Mussap Christian , K French John , Lo Sidney
Published: September 2020

Objective

To evaluate the prognostic significance of culprit lesion location in dominant right coronary artery (RCA) ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Background

In RCA STEMI, proximal culprit lesions have been shown to have higher rates of acute complications such as bradycardia and cardiogenic shock (CS) but data on mortality is limited.

Methods

We retrospectively identified and analyzed data from consecutive patients with a dominant RCA STEMI who underwent either primary or rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between January 2003 and December 2016. We compared the rates of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), CS, intra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP), temporary cardiac pacing (TCP) and death between culprit lesions located proximal and distal to the origin of the last right ventricular (RV) marginal artery >1 mm in diameter.

Results

The 939 patients were included; 599 (63.7%) had a proximal lesion and 340 (36.3%) had a nonproximal lesion. The 801 (85.3%) underwent primary PCI and 138 (14.7%) underwent rescue PCI. There was no difference in first medical contact to balloon or fibrinolysis times between the groups; p = .98 and .71. There was no significant difference in the rate of sustained VT (3.0%vs. 3.2%, p = .85) but proximal lesions were more likely to develop CS (10.9%vs. 5.8%, p = .01), require IABP (7.3%vs.2.9%, p < .01) and TCP (6.3%vs. 2.6%, p = .01). Thirty‐day mortality was higher for proximal lesions (5.0%vs. 0.9%, p < .01) particularly for those with CS (35.3%vs. 10.0%, p = .05).

Conclusion

Culprit lesions located proximal to the origin of the last RV marginal artery had a higher rate of acute complications such as CS and mortality.
Smart drug delivery system based on silicone
Authors: Novotny Jana , Quarthal Dominik , Oetken Marco
Published: September 2020

Viele Lebewesen können sich energiesparend fortbewegen, unter schwierigen Bedingungen kommunizieren oder sich orientieren. Daher beschäftigt sich die Bionik damit diese ‚Eigenschaften‘ zu entschlüsseln und auf neue technische Konzepte zu übertragen [1]. So konnten Forscher des MPI [2] einen Milliroboter herstellen, der sich an Land gleich einer Raupe und im Wasser wie eine Qualle bewegt. Lu, Zhang et al. [3] konnten einen tausendfüßerartigen Roboter herstellen, welcher in der Lage ist, das Hundertfache seines Gewichts zu transportieren. Diese Milliroboter sollen zukünftig für den Medikamententransport im menschlichen Körper verantwortlich sein [4].

Allerdings sind die eingesetzten Materialien teuer und die Apparaturen zur Bewegung der Roboter komplex. An der PH Freiburg gelang es jedoch, einen kostengünstigen Roboter aus Bausilikon herzustellen und mit einem Neodym‐Magneten zu bewegen. Der Artikel zeigt Experimente zur Herstellung und Anwendung dieses Roboters.
Putative dendritic correlates of chronic traumatic encephalopathy: A preliminary quantitative Golgi exploration
Authors: Warling Allysa , Uchida Riri , Shin Hyunsoo , Dodelson Coby , Garcia Madeleine E. , Shea‐Shumsky N. Beckett , Svirsky Sarah , Pothast Morgan , Kelley Hunter , Schumann Cynthia M. , Brzezinski Christine , Bauman Melissa D. , Alexander Allyson , McKee Ann C. , Stein Thor D. , Schall Matthew , Jacobs Bob
Published: September 2020

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is associated with repetitive head impacts. Neuropathologically, it is defined by the presence of perivascular hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates in cortical tissue (McKee et al., 2016, Acta Neuropathologica, 131, 75–86). Although many pathological and assumed clinical correlates of CTE have been well characterized, its effects on cortical dendritic arbors are still unknown. Here, we quantified dendrites and dendritic spines of supragranular pyramidal neurons in tissue from human frontal and occipital lobes, in 11 cases with (Mage = 79 ± 7 years) and 5 cases without (Mage = 76 ± 11 years) CTE. Tissue was stained with a modified rapid Golgi technique. Dendritic systems of 20 neurons per region in each brain (N = 640 neurons) were quantified using computer‐assisted morphometry. One key finding was that CTE neurons exhibited increased variability and distributional changes across six of the eight dendritic system measures, presumably due to ongoing degeneration and compensatory reorganization of dendritic systems. However, despite heightened variation among CTE neurons, CTE cases exhibited lower mean values than Control cases in seven of the eight dendritic system measures. These dendritic alterations may represent a new pathological marker of CTE, and further examination of dendritic changes could contribute to both mechanistic and functional understandings of the disease.
Assessment of Problem‐Solving Skills and Inhibitory Control in Mice Using Water Escape Detour Test
Authors: Juszczak Grzegorz R. , Bobrowska Anna
Published: September 2020

Despite the importance of emotional intelligence, its biological mechanism is still not well understood. For this reason, we have developed a rodent detour task which requires an animal to reach a highly desired object placed directly behind a transparent barrier that blocks the direct route to the target. This apparently simple task is highly dependent on the emotional control that is necessary to inhibit prepotent and counterproductive responses driven by the sight of a desired object. The water escape detour task designed for mice enables testing the ability to solve emotionally challenging problems, as well as identification of an impairment termed perseveration. Such a maladaptive reaction to a challenging situation is characterized by difficulty in terminating an unsuccessful response, leading to persistent repetition of inappropriate behavior. This issue is important because perseveration is associated with schizophrenia, drug abuse, and aging. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Basic Protocol: Water escape detour task

Support Protocol 1: Preparation of escape platform

Support Protocol 2: Preparation of the transparent barrier

Alternate Protocol: Water escape detour task for testing acute effects
Conditions associated with the need for additional needle passes in ultrasound‐guided thyroid fine‐needle aspiration with rapid on‐site pathology evaluation
Authors: Zargham Ramin , Johnson Hannah , Anderson Scott , Ciolino Allison
Published: September 2020

Background

Rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE) is a valuable tool for specimen adequacy assessment in thyroid ultrasound (US)‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (US‐guided FNA). To reduce the risk of nondiagnostic samples, additional needle passes may be needed at ROSE to ensure adequate sampling. Recommendations regarding the number of aspirates to ensure specimen adequacy are not well defined. Furthermore, there are limited data regarding nodule characteristics that may require increased sampling. In this study, we investigate conditions associated with requiring more than three needle passes during ROSE.

Methods

A retrospective quality review of all patients who underwent US‐guided thyroid FNA by a single board‐certified radiologist over a 1‐year period was performed. A total of 122 patients were identified: 70 with three passes performed and 52 with more than three passes to achieve adequacy.

Result

Our data demonstrate that large nodules (≥3 cm) were more likely than small nodules (≤1.1 cm) to require more than three passes to achieve adequacy. If a nodule was predominantly cystic or mixed cystic and solid, the sample was often adequate with only three passes. In cases of thyroiditis or nodules suspicious or diagnostic of neoplasia, there is a trend to require only three passes for adequacy.

Conclusion

On the basis of the data presented in this study, cytopathologists should be prepared for the potential need to obtain additional needle passes in larger (≥3 cm) nodules and provide reassurance to patients that this is an anticipated finding for these larger nodules.
Early external‐environmental and internal‐health predictors of risky sexual and aggressive behavior in adolescence: An integrative approach
Authors: Ellis Bruce J. , Shakiba Nila , Adkins Daniel E. , Lester Barry M.
Published: September 2020

External predictive adaptive response (PAR) models assume that developmental exposures to stress carry predictive information about the future state of the environment, and that development of a faster life history (LH) strategy in this context functions to match the individual to this expected harsh state. More recently internal PAR models have proposed that early somatic condition (i.e., physical health) critically regulates development of LH strategies to match expected future somatic condition. Here we test the integrative hypothesis that poor physical health mediates the relation between early adversity and faster LH strategies. Data were drawn from a longitudinal study (birth to age 16; N = 1,388) of mostly African American participants with prenatal substance exposure. Results demonstrated that both external environmental conditions early in life (prenatal substance exposure, socioeconomic adversity, caregiver distress/depression, and adverse family functioning) and internal somatic condition during preadolescence (birthweight/gestational age, physical illness) uniquely predicted the development of faster LH strategies in adolescence (as indicated by more risky sexual and aggressive behavior). Consistent with the integrative hypothesis, the effect of caregiver distress/depression on LH strategy was mostly mediated by worse physical health. Discussion highlights the implications of these findings for theory and research on stress, development, and health.
Cumulative stressors reduce the self‐regulating capacity of coastal ecosystems
Authors: Thrush Simon F. , Hewitt Judi E. , Gladstone‐Gallagher Rebecca V. , Savage Candida , Lundquist Carolyn , O’Meara Teri , Vieillard Amanda , Hillman Jenny R. , Mangan Stephanie , Douglas Emily J. , Clark Dana E. , Lohrer Andrew M. , Pilditch Conrad
Published: September 2020

Marine ecosystems are prone to tipping points, particularly in coastal zones where dramatic changes are associated with interactions between cumulative stressors (e.g., shellfish harvesting, eutrophication and sediment inputs) and ecosystem functions. A common feature of many degraded estuaries is elevated turbidity that reduces incident light to the seafloor, resulting from multiple factors including changes in sediment loading, sea‐level rise and increased water column algal biomass. To determine whether cumulative effects of elevated turbidity may result in marked changes in the interactions between ecosystem components driving nutrient processing, we conducted a large‐scale experiment manipulating sediment nitrogen concentrations in 15 estuaries across a national‐scale gradient in incident light at the seafloor. We identified a threshold in incident light that was related to distinct changes in the ecosystem interaction networks (EIN) that drive nutrient processing. Above this threshold, network connectivity was high with clear mechanistic links to denitrification and the role of large shellfish in nitrogen processing. The EIN analyses revealed interacting stressors resulting in a decoupling of ecosystem processes in turbid estuaries with a lower capacity to denitrify and process nitrogen. This suggests that, as turbidity increases with sediment load, coastal areas can be more vulnerable to eutrophication. The identified interactions between light, nutrient processing and the abundance of large shellfish emphasizes the importance of actions that seek to manage multiple stressors and conserve or enhance shellfish abundance, rather than actions focusing on limiting a single stressor.
Eating disorders in New Zealand: Implications for Māori and health service delivery
Authors: Lacey Cameron , Cunningham Ruth , Rijnberg Vivienne , Manuel Jenni , Clark Mau Te Rangimarie , Keelan Karen , Pitama Suzanne , Huria Tania , Lawson Rachel , Jordan Jennifer
Published: September 2020

Objective

Lifetime prevalence rates in Te Rau Hinengaro (The New Zealand Mental Health Survey) suggest eating disorders are at least as common in the Māori population as the non‐Māori population, yet little is known at a population level about those accessing specialist mental health treatment for eating disorders in New Zealand. The aim of this study was to describe the population undergoing specialist mental health treatment for eating disorders and compare Māori and non‐Māori clinical characteristics and service use.

Method

This study uses the Programme for the Integration of Mental Health Data data set, managed by the New Zealand Ministry of Health to describe the characteristics of people with eating disorders and their use of specialist mental health services from 2009 to 2016.

Results

There were 3,835 individuals with a diagnosed eating disorder who had contact with specialist mental health services in this time period, 7% of whom were Māori. Within the cohort, Māori had a higher prevalence for a bulimia nervosa diagnosis, fewer diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, and a higher prevalence of other psychiatric comorbidity than non‐Māori.

Discussion

There is discrepancy between the proportion of service users accessing specialist mental health services who are Māori and the assessed crude prevalence of eating disorders for Māori in national estimates. Once Māori are in specialist services; however, their use of services is comparable to non‐Māori. Further research is needed to highlight the experiences of those Māori with eating disorders and address barriers to accessing services for Māori with eating disorders.
Assessment of Cu, Pb and Zn content in selected species of grasses and in the soil of the roadside embankment
Authors: Gawryluk Adam , Wyłupek Teresa , Wolański Paweł
Published: September 2020

It was assumed in the study that heavy metals occurring in soils and the air accumulate in grasses constituting the main species used in the turfing of soil in road verges and embankments along traffic routes and in other parts of urbanized areas. The aim of the present study was to assess the bioaccumulation of Cu, Pb, and Zn in three selected lawn cultivars of five grass species and in the soil of the roadside green belt in terms of soil properties and heavy metal uptake by plants in the aspect of determining their usefulness in protecting the soils from contamination caused by motor vehicle traffic. Samples of the plant material and soil were collected for chemical analysis in the autumn of 2018 (October) on the embankment along National Road No. 17 between Piaski and Łopiennik (Poland), where 15 lawn cultivars of five grass species had been sown 2 years earlier. During the study, Cu, Pb, and Zn levels were determined in the aboveground biomass of the grasses under study and in the soil beneath these grasses (the 0–20 cm layer). All the grass species under study can thus be regarded as accumulators of Cu and Zn because the levels of these elements in the aboveground biomass of the grasses were higher than in the soil beneath these grasses. The present study demonstrates that the grasses can accumulate a large amount of Cu and Zn from soils and transfer it to the aboveground biomass. Tested species of grasses are not a higher bioaccumulators for Pb. The best grass species for the sowing of roadsides embankment, with the highest BCF values for the studied metals, is Lolium perenne (Taya variety).
Male‐specific alleles in the Ryukyu drywood termite Neotermes sugioi
Authors: Agarie Ayaka , Miyaguni Yasushi , Sugio Koji , Kobayashi Kazuya
Published: September 2020

Sex‐determination systems often show remarkable diversity in upstream signals, although downstream genes are broadly conserved. Therefore, the downstream genes have been investigated in various taxa, but the most upstream signals determining sex in insects have been well‐described mainly in model organisms, including fruit flies and honey bees, and not in hemimetabolous insects such as termites. Identification of sex‐linked genetic markers in termites is important to the survey of primary sex‐determination signals. Here, we report male‐specific alleles at the microsatellite locus NK12‐1 in the Ryukyu drywood termite Neotermes sugioi (Kalotermitidae). This study provides the third example of a genetic marker linked with sexual phenotype in termites, which is a small but important step to elucidate the evolutionary process of the sex‐determination system in termites.
Examining the molecular mechanisms contributing to the success of an invasive species across different ecosystems
Authors: Lamar Sarah K. , Beddows Ian , Partridge Charlyn G.
Published: September 2020

Invasive species provide an opportune system to investigate how populations respond to new environments. Baby's breath (Gypsophila paniculata) was introduced to North America in the 1800s and has since spread throughout the United States and western Canada. We used an RNA‐seq approach to explore how molecular processes contribute to the success of invasive populations with similar genetic backgrounds across distinct habitats. Transcription profiles were constructed from seedlings collected from a sand dune ecosystem in Petoskey, MI (PSMI), and a sagebrush ecosystem in Chelan, WA (CHWA). We assessed differential gene expression and identified SNPs within differentially expressed genes. We identified 1,146 differentially expressed transcripts across all sampled tissues between the two populations. GO processes enriched in PSMI were associated with nutrient starvation, while enriched processes in CHWA were associated with abiotic stress. Only 7.4% of the differentially expressed transcripts contained SNPs differing in allele frequencies of at least 0.5 between populations. Common garden studies found the two populations differed in germination rate and seedling emergence success. Our results suggest the success of G. paniculata in these two environments is likely due to plasticity in specific molecular processes responding to different environmental conditions, although some genetic divergence may be contributing to these differences.
Resource‐enhancing global changes drive a whole‐ecosystem shift to faster cycling but decrease diversity
Authors: Eskelinen Anu , Gravuer Kelly , Harpole W Stanley , Harrison Susan , Virtanen Risto , Hautier Yann
Published: September 2020

Many global changes take the form of resource enhancements that have potential to transform multiple aspects of ecosystems from slower to faster cycling, including a suite of both above‐ and belowground variables. We developed a novel analytic approach to measure integrated ecosystem responses to resource‐enhancing global changes, and how such whole ecosystem slow‐to‐fast transitions are linked to diversity and exotic invasions in real‐world ecosystems. We asked how 5‐yr experimental rainfall and nutrient enhancements in a natural grassland system affected 16 ecosystem functions, pools, and stoichiometry variables considered to indicate slow vs. fast cycling. We combined these metrics into a novel index we termed “slow‐fast multifunctionality” and assessed its relationship to plant community diversity and exotic plant dominance. Nutrient and rainfall addition interacted to affect average slow‐fast multifunctionality. Nutrient addition alone pushed the system toward faster cycling, but this effect weakened with the joint addition of rainfall and nutrients. Variables associated with soil nutrient pools and cycling most strongly contributed to this antagonistic interaction. Nutrient and water addition together, respectively, had additive or synergistic effects on plant trait composition and productivity, demonstrating divergence of above‐ and belowground ecosystem responses. Our novel metric of faster cycling was strongly associated with decreased plant species richness and increased exotic species dominance. These results demonstrate the breadth of interacting community and ecosystem changes that ensue when resource limitation is relaxed.
A genetic association study of heart failure: more evidence for the role of BAG3 in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: de Denus Simon , Mottet Fannie , Korol Sandra , Feroz Zada Yassamin , Provost Sylvie , Mongrain Ian , Asselin Géraldine , Oussaïd Essaïd , Busseuil David , Lettre Guillaume , Rioux John , Racine Normand , O'Meara Eileen , White Michel , Rouleau Jean , Tardif Jean Claude , Dubé Marie‐Pierre
Published: September 2020

Aims

Few investigations have been conducted to identify genetic determinants of common, polygenetic forms of heart failure (HF), and only a limited number of these genetic associations have been validated by multiple groups.

Methods and results

We performed a case–control study to further investigate the potential impact of 14 previously reported candidate genes on the risk of HF and specific HF sub‐types. We also performed an exploratory genome‐wide study. We included 799 patients with HF and 1529 controls. After adjusting for age, sex, and genetic ancestry, we found that the C allele of rs2234962 in BAG3 was associated with a decreased risk of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (odds ratio 0.42, 95% confidence interval 0.25–0.68, P = 0.0005), consistent with a previous report. No association for the other primary variants or exploratory genome‐wide study was found.

Conclusions

Our findings provide independent replication for the association between a common coding variant (rs2234962) in BAG3 and the risk of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.
Recent advances of triboelectric nanogenerator based applications in biomedical systems
Authors: Xia Xin , Liu Qing , Zhu Yuyan , Zi Yunlong
Published: September 2020

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are a promising power and sensing solution for biomedical applications attributed to the high electrical output and sensitivity with low‐cost and widely available materials. Here, the recent developments in TENG‐based biomedical applications with various structures and functionalities are discussed and summarized. Wearable TENGs perform well in motion and respiratory monitoring with excellent flexibility and low bio‐risks. Implantable TENGs enable interactions with the cardio‐cerebral vascular system and nervous system to monitor and treat different diseases with good biodegradability. Furthermore, explorations of TENGs in in vitro systems, including drug delivery, cellular proliferation and differentiation, are reviewed. Perspectives on the biomedical applications of TENGs are proposed based on investigation in this area in the past two decades. With continuous efforts in miniaturization and optimization of robustness, the TENG‐based self‐powered biomedical systems will definitely play an important role in the healthcare market in the future.

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Enclosure fire dynamics with a cross‐laminated timber ceiling
Authors: McNamee Robert , Zehfuss Jochen , Bartlett Alastair I. , Heidari Mohammad , Robert Fabienne , Bisby Luke A.
Published: September 2020

An experimental study of the influence of an exposed combustible ceiling on compartment fire dynamics has been performed. The fire dynamics in compartments with combustible cross‐laminated timber ceilings vs non‐combustible reinforced concrete ceilings in otherwise identical compartments with three different ventilation factors were investigated. The experimental results are compared against predictions from two theoretical models for compartment fire dynamics: (a) the parametric fire model given in EN 1991‐1‐2, and (b) a model developed at Technische Universität Braunschweig, which are the parametric fire models currently used in Germany. It is confirmed that the introduction of a combustible timber ceiling leads to higher temperatures within the enclosure, both under fuel‐controlled and ventilation‐controlled scenarios. It is also demonstrated that the theoretical models considered in this article require refinement in order to adequately represent all relevant scenarios when combustible ceilings are present. A refinement of the German model, by adding the fuel from the combustible ceiling to the occupancy fuel load, was shown to not adequately capture the response for the ventilation‐controlled fires.
Measuring sustainability of smallholder livestock farming in Yurimaguas, Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Van‐Heurck Mariella , Alegre Julio , Solis Reynaldo , Del Castillo Dennis , Pérez Lisset , Lavelle Patrick , Quintero Marcela
Published: September 2020

Sustainability measurement addresses the social, economic, and environmental aspects in order to support policy and decision‐making. In the Peruvian Amazon, some smallholder livestock farmers have subsisted through time, partially preserving the ecosystems and demonstrating in practice a certain degree of sustainability. In this regard, this study aims at measuring the sustainability of smallholder livestock farming in the Peruvian Amazon. Sustainability was measured using a multi‐criteria method, through the construction of sustainability indicators based on information obtained from field surveys, and soil and macrofauna sampling in the pastures. For this purpose, economic, environmental, and socio‐cultural indicators were considered, with a rating scale from 0 to 4, where 0 is the least sustainable category and 4 is the most sustainable one. Smallholder livestock farming was considered sustainable if the general sustainability index (GenSI) was equal to or greater than 2 and, at the same time, if none of the three indicators had a value lower than 2. The socio‐cultural indicator was within the sustainability threshold, but the economic and environmental indicators did not fulfill the necessary requirements to consider smallholder livestock farming a sustainable activity in the city of Yurimaguas, Peru. The critical points affecting the sustainability of smallholder livestock farming in Yurimaguas were as follows: degraded soils, lack of silvopastoral systems, inefficient transport system, low annual income, and low levels of associativity. The results suggest the need for mitigating these limitations, as well as promoting associativity and implementing silvopastoral systems for the improvement of the welfare of smallholder livestock farmers.
Semivariance and semiskew risk premiums in currency markets
Authors: Da Fonseca José , Dawui Edem
Published: September 2020

Using a model‐free methodology, variance, and skew swaps are extracted from currency options for several foreign exchange rates. These swaps are decomposed into semivariance and semiskew swaps and can also be used to define the variance‐skew swap. The decomposed “up” and “down” semivariance swaps, the “down” semiskew swap and the variance‐skew swap explain well the currency excess return. These properties remain valid when considering the prediction of the currency excess return. Lastly, trimming these variables does not affect the results implying that extreme values of the distribution convey little information regarding the evolution of the currency excess return.
Exploring gene–gene interaction in family‐based data with an unsupervised machine learning method: EPISFA
Authors: Xiang Xiao , Wang Siyue , Liu Tianyi , Wang Mengying , Li Jiawen , Jiang Jin , Wu Tao , Hu Yonghua
Published: September 2020

Gene–gene interaction (G × G) is thought to fill the gap between the estimated heritability of complex diseases and the limited genetic proportion explained by identified single‐nucleotide polymorphisms. The current tools for exploring G × G were often developed for case‐control designs with less considerations for their applications in families. Family‐based studies are robust against bias led from population stratification in genetic studies and helpful in understanding G × G. We proposed a new algorithm epistasis sparse factor analysis (EPISFA) and epistasis sparse factor analysis for linkage disequilibrium (EPISFA‐LD) based on unsupervised machine learning to screen G × G. Extensive simulations were performed to compare EPISFA/EPISFA‐LD with a classical family‐based algorithm FAM‐MDR (family‐based multifactor dimensionality reduction). The results showed that EPISFA/EPISFA‐LD is a tool of both high power and computational efficiency that could be applied in family designs and is applicable within high‐dimensionality datasets. Finally, we applied EPISFA/EPISFA‐LD to a real dataset drawn from the Fangshan/family‐based Ischemic Stroke Study in China. Five pairs of G × G were discovered by EPISFA/EPISFA‐LD, including three pairs verified by other algorithms (FAM‐MDR and logistic), and an additional two pairs uniquely identified by EPISFA/EPISFA‐LD only. The results from EPISFA might offer new insights for understanding the genetic etiology of complex diseases. EPISFA/EPISFA‐LD was implemented in R. All relevant source code as well as simulated data could be freely downloaded from https://github.com/doublexism/episfa.
The genesis of Eocene granite‐related Lailishan tin deposit in western Yunnan, China: Constraints from geochronology, geochemistry, and S–Pb–H–O isotopes
Authors: Wang Weiqing , Dong Guochen , Sun Zhuanrong , Dong Pengsheng , Pan Yanning , Ketchaya Yanick Blaise , Lemdjou Yanick Brice , Geng Jianzhen
Published: September 2020

The Tengchong‐Lianghe tin metallogenic district in western Yunnan is an important tin mineralization area in the Sanjiang Tethyan Metallogenic Domain from southwestern China. The Lailishan deposit is one of the largest tin deposits in this district and spatially and temporally associated with Eocene granites. LA‐MC‐ICP‐MS cassiterite U–Pb dating (49.8 ± 2.6 Ma) suggests that the tin mineralization is coeval with the Lailishan granites. The contact between the monzogranite and the syenogranite is gradual and both are weakly peraluminous, with high SiO2, Al2O3, and total alkali contents. They are characterized by negative Eu anomalies and the depletion in high‐field‐strength elements and enrichment in large‐ion lithophile elements. Compared with the monzogranite, the syenogranite is more evolved and exhibit ‘tetrad effect’. The Lailishan monzogranite was probably derived from the partial melt of the ancient crustal basement from the Tengchong Block under syn‐collisional tectonic setting. The syenogranite was cogenetic with monzogranite and experienced the process of fractional crystallization. The mineralization process is divided into three successive mineralization stages (I–III) in this study. These stages are characterized by the coarse‐grained cassiterite and high temperatures (216–337°C), light brown or colourless cassiterite and moderate temperatures (160–243°C), and dark brown cassiterite and low temperatures (116–199°C) of ore‐forming fluids, respectively. From the Stage I to later stages, both the δ18OH2O and δDSMOW values of fluids are decreasing and shift from magmatic water towards meteoric water, indicating that the ore‐forming fluids derived from granitic melts and mixed over time with meteoric water with the decrease of temperature. The δ34S values of pyrites and pyrrhotites (2.4–5.9‰) and Pb isotopic compositions for pyrites from Lailishan deposit (206Pb/204Pb = 18.687–19.402) are similar with those of Lailishan granites. We propose that the Lailishant in deposit is derived from the Lailishan granites.
Stratigraphy and its environmental implications of the Late Pleistocene Shuidonggou Formation in the western Ordos Block, North China
Authors: Liu Xiaobo , Hu Jianmin , Shi Wei , Chen Hong , Liang Xia , Li Mingtao
Published: September 2020

The Late Pleistocene sedimentary strata that is widely developed in North China records the signature of prehistoric human settlement. The Late Palaeolithic Shuidonggou Formation that is mainly distributed in the western Ordos Block of North China is best known for containing abundant palaeontological fossils and palaeolithic artefacts with an age span of ~35–20 ka B.P. However, its sequence and chronostratigraphy are poorly understood due to the lack of stratigraphic correlation of a uniform relative stratigraphy, hindering our understanding of the way of human adaptation to the environmental and climatic changes. In this article, analyses of high‐resolution stratigraphy of Shuidonggou Formation complemented with chronostratigraphic framework were performed based on our field investigations, Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating and literature survey, to reconstruct environmental and climatic conditions in western Ordos Block in the Late Pleistocene. Stratigraphic correlations and chronological evidence indicate that the sedimentary units of the Shuidonggou Formation are ~35–10 ka B.P. in age, and three lithologic units of Shuidonggou Formation that is well approximated on a regional basis were identified: gravel layers that were deposited in a fluvial environment at the bottom, rhythm layers consist of sand layers, and clay layers deposited in a lacustrine environment in the lower part, and cycles composed of lacustrine silt and loess in the upper part. These units are defined by sedimentology, matching to lake levels. Continuous and widely developed clay and sandy clay about 3–10 m thick occur at various levels within river terrace II and littoral deposits located 10–20 m above the current lake level provide evidence for the existence of the high lake level/palaeo‐lake in western Ordos Block between ~35 and 22 ka B.P. Palaeo‐lake shrinking occurred after when lakeshore sand and gravel, as well as sandy facies of aeolian origin, started to accumulate in the study area in 22–17 ka B.P. The development of the palaeo‐lake probably had been climate‐controlled since the warmer and humid climate conditions suggested by the lower sequences corresponds to the Marine Isotope Stage 3 while the cool and dry climate were identified in upper sequences corresponds to the Last Glaciation Maximum. Besides, the human occupation in the Shuidonggou site was synchronous with the development of the palaeo‐lake of the same time window. It is suggested that the evolution of the palaeo‐lakes in the Late Pleistocene, together with the environmental effects of climate change, play an important role in the human occupation and survival strategies.
Childhood adversity and major depression in later life: A competing‐risks regression analysis
Authors: Xiang Xiaoling , Wang Xiafei
Published: September 2020

Objectives

This study examined the relationship between childhood adversities and major depression in older adults over 8 years.

Methods

The study sample consisted of 16 946 participants aged 51 years and older from the US Health and Retirement Study. Major depression was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Competing‐risks regression analysis was conducted to examine the impact of each childhood adversity on late‐life major depression and the potential moderation effects of sex, race/ethnicity, and adulthood trauma.

Results

After controlling for covariates, childhood adversities including physical abuse by a parent (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.49‐1.89, P < .001), trouble with the police (SHR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.13‐1.54, P = .001), receiving help because of financial difficulties (SHR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.05‐1.31, P = .006), and parental substance abuse (SHR = 1.11, 95% CI = 1.01‐1.23, P = .037) were associated with a higher rate of major depression in later life. The association of physical abuse and major depression was stronger for men than women (SHR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.15‐1.85, P = .002), despite an overall lower risk of major depression among men. Potential adulthood trauma had a weaker association with late‐life major depression in the presence of childhood physical abuse (SHR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.85‐0.98, P = .015). There was a significant dose‐response relationship (SHR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.16‐1.24, P < .001).

Conclusions

Childhood adversities increase the risk of major depression in later life, particularly for those who experienced physical abuse and trouble with the police. Men may be more susceptible to the mental health detriments of childhood adversities.
Alzheimer's disease biomarkers as predictors of trajectories of depression and apathy in cognitively normal individuals, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease dementia
Authors: Banning Leonie C. P. , Ramakers Inez H. G. B. , Rosenberg Paul B. , Lyketsos Constantine G. , Leoutsakos Jeannie‐Marie S. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: September 2020

Objectives

To examine trajectories of depression and apathy over a 5‐year follow‐up period in (prodromal) Alzheimer's disease (AD), and to relate these trajectories to AD biomarkers.

Methods

The trajectories of depression and apathy (measured with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory or its questionnaire) were separately modeled using growth mixture models for two cohorts (National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center, NACC, n = 22 760 and Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, ADNI, n = 1 733). The trajectories in ADNI were associated with baseline CSF AD biomarkers (Aβ42, t‐tau, and p‐tau) using bias‐corrected multinomial logistic regression.

Results

Multiple classes were identified, with the largest classes having no symptoms over time. Lower Aβ42 and higher tau (ie, more AD pathology) was associated with increased probability of depression and apathy over time, compared to classes without symptoms. Lower Aβ42 (but not tau) was associated with a steep increase of apathy, whereas higher tau (but not Aβ42) was associated with a steep decrease of apathy.

Discussion

The trajectories of depression and apathy in individuals on the AD spectrum are associated with AD biomarkers.
Capacity of Palestinian primary health care system to prevent and control of non‐communicable diseases in Gaza Strip, Palestine: A capacity assessment analysis based on adapted WHO‐PEN tool
Authors: Albelbeisi Ahmed Hassan , Albelbeisi Ali , El Bilbeisi Abdel Hamid , Takian Amirhossein , Akbari‐Sari Ali
Published: September 2020

The prevalence of non‐communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing in low‐income countries including Palestine. This study was conducted to assess the capacity of Palestinian primary health care system to prevent and control of NCDs. This cross‐sectional study in which, the World Health Organization package of essential NCDs interventions (WHO‐PEN) tool, was used to assess the capacity of primary health care centers (PHCs) to prevent and control of NCDs. All governmental PHCs (n = 52) in Gaza Strip, Palestine were included in the final analysis. The centers readiness score was calculated as the average of domains indices. Then, the indices were compared to an agreed cutoff at 70%. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Out of 52 PHCs, only 21 (40.4%) were considered ready to prevent and control of NCDs; the highest readiness score was 79.4% and the lowest score was 29.2%. Furthermore, all governorates were not ready to prevent and control of NCDs (The readiness scores were < 70%), distributed as follow: 68.6%, 68.1%, 67.7%, 62.5% and 56.4%, for Rafah, Gaza, Khan‐Yunis, Deir Al Balah and North Gaza, respectively. The governorates were differed significantly in terms of availability of aneroid blood pressure measuring devices, electrocardiography devices, Glibenclamide and Salbutamol tablets, patients counseling for diabetes self‐management, patients education for self‐administration of insulin (P values <.05 for all). The current study demonstrated critical gaps in the governmental PHCs capacity to prevent and control of NCDs, as most of PHCs failed to reach the minimum threshold of the WHO‐PEN standards.