bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The hidden diversity of vascular patterns in flower heads
Authors: Owens Andrew , Zhang Teng , Gu Philmo , Hart Jeremy , Stobbs Jarvis , Cieslak Mikolaj , Elomaa Paula , Prusinkiewicz Przemyslaw
Published: February 2024

Vascular systems are intimately related to the shape and spatial arrangement of the plant organs they support. We investigate the largely unexplored association between spiral phyllotaxis and the vascular system in Asteraceae flower heads.

We imaged heads of eight species using synchrotron‐based X‐ray micro‐computed tomography and applied original virtual reality and haptic software to explore head vasculature in three dimensions. We then constructed a computational model to infer a plausible patterning mechanism.

The vascular system in the head of the model plant Gerbera hybrida is qualitatively different from those of Bellis perennis and Helianthus annuus, characterized previously. Cirsium vulgare, Craspedia globosa, Echinacea purpurea, Echinops bannaticus, and Tanacetum vulgare represent variants of the Bellis and Helianthus systems. In each species, the layout of the main strands is stereotypical, but details vary. The observed vascular patterns can be generated by a common computational model with different parameter values.

In spite of the observed differences of vascular systems in heads, they may be produced by a conserved mechanism. The diversity and irregularities of vasculature stand in contrast with the relative uniformity and regularity of phyllotactic patterns, confirming that phyllotaxis in heads is not driven by the vasculature.
Age‐specific predictors of disease severity in children with respiratory syncytial virus infection beyond infancy and through the first 5 years of age
Authors: Brenes‐Chacon Helena , Eisner Mariah , Acero‐Bedoya Santiago , Ramilo Octavio , Mejias Asuncion
Published: February 2024

Background

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is associated with significant morbidity in infants. Risk factors for severe disease beyond the first 2 years of life have not been fully defined.

Methods

Children <5 years hospitalized with virologically confirmed RSV infection were identified over six respiratory seasons (10/2012–4/2018) and their medical records manually reviewed. Multivariable analyses were performed to define the age‐specific (<6, 6–24, and >24–59 months) risk factors associated with oxygen administration, PICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and duration of hospitalization.

Results

We identified 5143 children hospitalized with RSV infection: 53.5% (n = 2749) <6 months; 31.7% (n = 1631) 6–24 months; and 14.8% (n = 763) >24–59 months. Rates of ICU admission were high (35%–36%) and comparable across age groups, while children >24–59 and 6–24 versus those <6 months required supplemental oxygen more frequently (73%; 71%; 68%, respectively; p = .003). The presence of comorbidities increased with age (25%, <6 months; 46%, 6–24 months; 70%, >24–59 months; p < .001). Specifically, neuromuscular disorders, chronic lung disease, and reactive airway disease/asthma were predictive of worse clinical outcomes in children aged 6–24 and >24–59 months, while RSV‐viral codetections increased the risk of severe outcomes in children aged <6 and 6–24 months of age.

Conclusions

Almost half of children hospitalized with RSV infection were >6 months. Underlying comorbidities increased with age and remained associated with severe disease in older children, while RSV‐viral codetections were predictive of worse clinical outcomes in the youngest age groups. These data suggest the importance of defining the clinical phenotype associated with severe RSV according to age, and the persistent burden associated with RSV beyond infancy.
Development and psychometric testing of physiopsychological disorders scale for medical rescuers fighting epidemics in China
Authors: Wang Hui , Sun Xiangjie , Deng Tiantian , Ren Minmin , Feng Danjun
Published: February 2024

Objective

Develop and psychometrically test the physiopsychological disorders scale for medical rescuers fighting epidemics (PDS‐MRFE).

Method

A three‐phase approach was used to develop and test the physiopsychological disorders scale: (1) creating the item pool, (2) preliminarily evaluating items, and (3) refining the scale and estimating the psychometric properties. The items of the instrument were generated based on a comprehensive literature review and a qualitative study conducted with 31 medical rescuers (18 nurses and 13 doctors) fighting epidemics. A preliminary evaluation of items was conducted using content validity which was evaluated by a panel of 15 experts. Validity and reliability examinations were conducted to refine the scale and evaluate its psychometric properties. This was done using two different samples. Specifically, Sample A (360 medical rescuers) was employed for item reduction and exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and Sample B (287 medical rescuers) was employed for the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and determination of other psychometric properties (i.e., reliability, concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity), which further confirmed the structure of the scale and evaluated its final psychometric properties.

Results

The final scale has 39 items with three subscales, including before, during, and after rescue. The exploratory factor analysis result indicated that the before‐rescue scale of four items, during‐rescue of 21 items, and after‐rescue of 14 items explained 52.07%, 69.75%, and 52.30% of the cumulative variance, respectively. The confirmatory factor analysis result indicated that model fit indices of three subscales were acceptable and showed evidence of adequate content, convergent, discriminate, and concurrent validity. The Cronbach's α coefficients for each subscale and all dimensions ranged from 0.81 to 0.92, indicating good reliability for the PDS‐MRFE.

Conclusions

The physiopsychological disorders scale is a psychometrically valid and reliable instrument and can be used in both clinical practice and research to evaluate different physiopsychological disorders at different medical rescue stages among medical rescuers fighting epidemics.
Grain‐size component dependent storage threshold of orbital cycles in alluvial stratigraphy caused by autogenic dynamics
Authors: Yang Daming , Huang Yongjian , Li Xiang , Gao Jianlei , Yin Shitao , Wang Chengshan
Published: February 2024

Numerical forward modelling and laboratory experiments suggest that autogenic factors in the sediment routing system serve as long‐pass filters, preserving only orbital cycles with a period exceeding the compensation timescale,Tc, or thickness in the depth domain exceeding the compensation depth scale,Hc. For a specific orbital cycle with a certain period, this preservation in alluvial strata occurs unless it exhibits a sufficiently large amplitude. This study stratigraphically confirms, for the first time, the long‐pass filtering of autogenic dynamics using elemental data from the alluvial–lacustrine Sifangtai and Mingshui formations in the Songliao Basin. Spectral analysis of the Si and Zr series in coarse‐grained sediments reveals no cyclic signal with thicknesses below the estimated lower limits ofHc. This implies that the spatial storage threshold for orbital cycles in proxies of the coarse‐grained sediment component is equal to or less thanHc. However, cyclic signals of obliquity and precession with smaller thicknesses are identified in Ti, Fe and Al enriched in the fine‐grained sediment components of the stratigraphy. Notably, previously reported proxies preserving high‐frequency orbital cycles are derived from fine‐grained sediment components, differing from the sedimentation rate series used in the reported experimental studies. Therefore, the authors hypothesize a grain‐size component‐dependent storage threshold, suggesting that the storage threshold of orbital cycles in proxies associated with fine‐grained components is lower. This hypothesis arises from the weaker effect of autogenic dynamics on the content of fine‐grained sediment components transported to the sampling site by a suspended load compared to coarser components that are subjected to stronger autogenic dynamics within or near channels. The hypothesis and model presented propose a dynamic process elucidating the nuanced roles of autogenic dynamics in preserving orbital cycles. This perspective, considering sediment composition, inspires prioritizing proxies enriched in the fine‐grained fraction for identifying allogenic cycles in alluvial strata.
On the Parataxis of Arabic split questions
Authors: Alzayid Ali
Published: February 2024

In this article I present an analysis of split questions (SQs) in Modern Standard Arabic. I argue that this construction is best analyzed as a biclausal articulation, where two clauses are meditated by a special relation of coordination dubbed “Specifying Coordination.” Contrary to the previous literature on SQs, I maintain, on empirical and conceptual grounds, that SQs are best derived in a movement‐free fashion by treating them as a constellation of two well‐motivated operations in the grammar: ellipsis and coordination. If on track, the merit of this proposal is to derive peripheral phenomena, such as SQs, from core principles of the grammar.
Experimentação do álcool entre adolescentes brasileiros segundo a Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde Escolar
Authors: De Oliveira Freitas Elisangela Antonio , Martínez Espinosa Mariano
Published: February 2024

Introdução: A experimentação de bebida alcoólica pelos jovens brasileiros, além de prejudicar o desenvolvimento cerebral, também interfere nos aspectos psicológicos, interferindo na sua qualidade de vida e prejudicando seu desenvolvimento escolar. Objetivo: avaliar a experimentação do álcool e os fatores associados entre os adolescentes brasileiros. Método: Trata se de um estudo transversal, realizado pela Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar em 2019, com uma amostra de 159.245 adolescentes brasileiros. Foram ajustadas razões de prevalências entre variável experimentação de álcool e fatores de risco, estimadas pelos modelos de regressão de Poisson múltipla hierarquizados em blocos com variância robusta, ponderadas pelos pesos amostrais. Resultados: A prevalência ajustada da experimentação do álcool ponderada e intervalo de confiança de 95% da experimentação do álcool foi de 63,45% (IC95%: 62,88-64,02). As razões de prevalência ajustadas com as variáveis sociodemográficas, familiares, saúde mental, comportamento e hábitos de vida, todas apresentaram associação com a experimentação do álcool. As variáveis comportamento e hábitos de vida apresentaram as maiores razões de prevalências para a experimentação de drogas ilícitas (1,25) e relação sexual (1,50) e permaneceram associadas no modelo final, a maioria dos fatores dos blocos considerados, com significância estatística (p < 0,001). Conclusões: A prevalência entre os adolescentes brasileiros evidenciou-se elevada e associada aos fatores de riscos do estudo. A ocorrência desse fenômeno, que interfere no desenvolvimento físico e mental dos adolescentes, requer novos direcionamentos em políticas públicas.
Development and reproductive potential of Oulenziella bakeri Hughes (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae) at different constant temperatures
Authors: Zeng Zhao-hua , Xie Shi-yong , Lin Ling-hong , Huang Jian-cheng , Yu De-yi , Ji Jie
Published: February 2024

Oulenziella bakeri Hughes is a promising alternative prey for mass rearing of predatory mites. However, little is known regarding the effects of different temperatures on the population growth of O. bakeri. In the present study, the developmental duration, survival rate, longevity, fecundity, and sex ratio of O. bakeri were observed under laboratory conditions at 16°C, 20°C, 24°C, 28°C, and 32°C. The developmental duration and whole generation time of O. bakeri shortened with increasing temperature, except for the protonymphal duration, which was the shortest at 24°C. The maximum fecundity of O. bakeri was recorded at 28°C (176.73 eggs/female) but did not significantly differ from that at 24°C (173.80 eggs/female). The sex ratio for the progeny of O. bakeri was female-biased, and showed no significant difference among 16°C, 20°C, and 24°C, but a significant decrease as the temperature further increased. Life table analysis indicated that the net reproductive rate of O. bakeri was highest at 28°C, with a value of 140.37. Furthermore, the intrinsic rate of increase (rm) of O. bakeri ranged from 0.12 to 0.38, and increased with the temperature. Our findings suggested that temperatures of 24°C and 28°C were most suitable among the tested temperatures for rearing O. bakeri.
Two new species of Oripodoidea (Acari, Oribatida) from Nepal
Authors: Ermilov Sergey G. , Martens Jochen
Published: February 2024

Two new species of oribatid mites of the superfamily Oripodoidea—Peloribates (Peloribates) ausobskyi sp. nov. (Haplozetidae) and Scheloribates (Perscheloribates) smetanai sp. nov. (Scheloribatidae)—are described from litter and upper soil stratum of Rhododendron–Lithocarpus mountain forest from eastern Nepal. Identification keys to the known species of Peloribates (Peloribates) and Scheloribates (Perscheloribates) from Nepal are provided.
Continuous wave interband cascade lasers near 13 μm
Authors: Shen Yixuan , Yang Rui Q. , Hawkins S. D. , Muhowski A. J.
Published: February 2024

We report the demonstration of continuous-wave interband cascade lasers (ICLs) near 13 μm. The attained lasing wavelength of 13.2 μm at 92 K stands as the longest cw emission wavelength ever reported for III-V interband lasers. This achievement is attributed to the adoption of an innovative quantum well (QW) active region comprising strained InAs0.5P0.5 layers in contrast to the commonly used “W” QW active region, showing the potential of the modified QW active region with InAsP layers in improving device performance and extending wavelength coverage of ICLs.
Motivations to Participate in Gaming and Esports: An Exploratory Study on The Influence of Participant Gender
Authors: Mahoney Tara Q. , Darvin Lindsey , Vooris Ryan
Published: February 2024

The rapid growth of gaming and esports since 2015 demands an investigation of the habits of those who consume and engage with (i.e., participate, view, attend events) this emerging space. As previous research has suggested, women and men may engage with video games for different reasons, and to better understand this occurrence, the current study addresses whether their gaming and esports participation motivations vary. As a result, this exploratory study employed a survey design with a previously validated scale used to measure motivation differences between men and women for traditional sport and exercise spaces. In addition, insights from Hamari and Sjöblom study were used to construct the survey instrument and adapt it to gaming environments. The researchers used an exploratory factor analysis to examine the data and determine preliminary factors relating to esports and gaming motivations. Additionally, gender differences were also assessed. Implications for the gaming industry are discussed as well as future research directions.
Esports Athletes on a Team or Club Are More Physically Active and Less Sedentary Than Equally Experienced, Casual Video Gamers
Authors: Dowdell Bryan , Lepp Andrew , Yim Brian H. , Barkley Jacob E.
Published: February 2024

Literature and governing agencies refer to gamers who partake in esports as “esports athletes,” and research suggests that exercise may be a beneficial component of esports training. Yet esports athletes are stereotyped similarly to casual gamers, for example, sedentary and not physically active. The purpose of this research was to compare physical activity and sedentary behavior between esports athletes on a team or club and casual gamers. Data were collected via an online survey (N = 532 total; n = 172 women). The survey assessed physical activity behaviors (i.e., International Physical Activity Questionnaire), time spent playing games, and esports affiliation. Independent samples t tests and analysis of variance were used for comparisons. Esports athletes on a team or club reported significantly more (F = 67.99, p < .001) physical activity (5,706 ± 4,558 metabolic equivalent min/week) compared to casual gamers (2,738 ± 2,792 metabolic equivalent min/week). There was a significant interaction between the effects of gender and group (F = 5.680, p = .018) on vigorous physical activity. Esports athletes on a team or club also reported significantly less (F = 77.436, p < .001) sedentary behavior compared to casual gamers. There was no reported difference in time spent playing video games between groups (t = 1.416, p = .157). In conclusion, esports athletes on a team or club were more physically active and less sedentary than their casual counterparts.
Determinants of viscoelasticity and flow activation energy in biomolecular condensates
Authors: Alshareedah Ibraheem , Singh Anurag , Yang Sean , Ramachandran Vysakh , Quinn Alexander , Potoyan Davit A. , Banerjee Priya R.
Published: February 2024

The form and function of biomolecular condensates are intimately linked to their material properties. Here, we integrate microrheology with molecular simulations to dissect the physical determinants of condensate fluid phase dynamics. By quantifying the timescales and energetics of network relaxation in a series of heterotypic viscoelastic condensates, we uncover distinctive roles of sticker motifs, binding energy, and chain length in dictating condensate dynamical properties. We find that the mechanical relaxation times of condensate-spanning networks are determined by both intermolecular interactions and chain length. We demonstrate, however, that the energy barrier for network reconfiguration, termed flow activation energy, is independent of chain length and only varies with the strengths of intermolecular interactions. Biomolecular diffusion in the dense phase depends on a complex interplay between viscoelasticity and flow activation energy. Our results illuminate distinctive roles of chain length and sequence-specific multivalent interactions underlying the complex material and transport properties of biomolecular condensates.
All-organic transparent plant e-skin for noninvasive phenotyping
Authors: Yang Yanqin , He Tianyiyi , Ravindran Pratibha , Wen Feng , Krishnamurthy Pannaga , Wang Luwei , Zhang Zixuan , Kumar Prakash P. , Chae Eunyoung , Lee Chengkuo
Published: February 2024

Real-time in situ monitoring of plant physiology is essential for establishing a phenotyping platform for precision agriculture. A key enabler for this monitoring is a device that can be noninvasively attached to plants and transduce their physiological status into digital data. Here, we report an all-organic transparent plant e-skin by micropatterning poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate. This plant e-skin is optically and mechanically invisible to plants with no observable adverse effects to plant health. We demonstrate the capabilities of our plant e-skins as strain and temperature sensors, with the application to
Brassica rapa
leaves for collecting corresponding parameters under normal and abiotic stress conditions. Strains imposed on the leaf surface during growth as well as diurnal fluctuation of surface temperature were captured. We further present a digital-twin interface to visualize real-time plant surface environment, providing an intuitive and vivid platform for plant phenotyping.
SARS-CoV-2 evolution during prolonged infection in immunocompromised patients
Authors: Marques Andrew D. , Graham-Wooten Jevon , Fitzgerald Ayannah S. , Sobel Leonard Ashley , Cook Emma J. , Everett John K. , Rodino Kyle G. , Moncla Louise H. , Kelly Brendan J. , Collman Ronald G. , Bushman Frederic D.
Published: February 2024

Prolonged infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in immunocompromised patients provides an opportunity for viral evolution, potentially leading to the generation of new pathogenic variants. To investigate the pathways of viral evolution, we carried out a study on five patients experiencing prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection (quantitative polymerase chain reaction-positive for 79–203 days) who were immunocompromised due to treatment for lymphoma or solid organ transplantation. For each timepoint analyzed, we generated at least two independent viral genome sequences to assess the heterogeneity and control for sequencing error. Four of the five patients likely had prolonged infection; the fifth apparently experienced a reinfection. The rates of accumulation of substitutions in the viral genome per day were higher in hospitalized patients with prolonged infection than those estimated for the community background. The
spike
coding region accumulated a significantly greater number of unique mutations than other viral coding regions, and the mutation density was higher. Two patients were treated with monoclonal antibodies (bebtelovimab and sotrovimab); by the next sampled timepoint, each virus population showed substitutions associated with monoclonal antibody resistance as the dominant forms (
spike
K444N and
spike
E340D). All patients received remdesivir, but remdesivir-resistant substitutions were not detected. These data thus help elucidate the trends of emergence, evolution, and selection of mutational variants within long-term infected immunocompromised individuals.

IMPORTANCE

SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for a global pandemic, driven in part by the emergence of new viral variants. Where do these new variants come from? One model is that long-term viral persistence in infected individuals allows for viral evolution in response to host pressures, resulting in viruses more likely to replicate efficiently in humans. In this study, we characterize replication in several hospitalized and long-term infected individuals, documenting efficient pathways of viral evolution.
Annotating microbial functions with ProkFunFind
Authors: Dufault-Thompson Keith , Jiang Xiaofang
Published: February 2024

Analyzing microbial genomes has become an essential part of microbiology research, giving valuable insights into the functions and evolution of microbial species. Identifying genes of interest and assigning putative annotations to those genes is a central task in genome analysis, and a plethora of tools and approaches have been developed for this task. The ProkFunFind tool was developed to bridge the gap between these various annotation approaches, providing a flexible and customizable search approach to annotate microbial functions. ProkFunFind is designed around hierarchical definitions of biological functions, where individual genes can be identified using heterogeneous search terms consisting of sequences, profile hidden Markov models, protein domains, and orthology groups. This flexible and customizable search approach allows for searches to be tailored to specific biological functions, and the search results are output in multiple formats to facilitate downstream analyses. The utility of the ProkFunFind search tool was demonstrated through its application in searching for bacterial flagella, which are complex organelles composed of multiple genes. Overall, ProkFunFind provides an accessible and flexible way to integrate multiple types of annotation and sequence data while annotating biological functions in microbial genomes.

IMPORTANCE

Genome sequencing and analysis are increasingly important parts of microbiology, providing a way to predict metabolic functions, identify virulence factors, and understand the evolution of microbes. The expanded use of genome sequencing has also brought an abundance of search and annotation methods, but integrating the information from these different methods can be challenging and is often done through
ad hoc
approaches. To bridge the gap between different types of annotations, we developed ProkFunFind, a flexible and customizable search tool incorporating multiple search approaches and annotation types to annotate microbial functions. We demonstrated the utility of ProkFunFind by searching for gene clusters encoding flagellar genes using a combination of different annotation types and searches. Overall, ProkFunFind provides a reproducible and flexible way to identify gene clusters of interest, facilitating the meaningful analysis of new and existing microbial genomes.
Genomics of the expanding pine pathogen
Lecanosticta acicola
reveals patterns of ongoing genetic admixture
Authors: Marcet-Houben Marina , Cruz Fernando , Gómez-Garrido Jéssica , Alioto Tyler S. , Nunez-Rodriguez Juan Carlos , Mesanza Nebai , Gut Marta , Iturritxa Eugenia , Gabaldon Toni
Published: February 2024

Lecanosticta acicola
is the causal agent for brown spot needle blight that affects pine trees across the northern hemisphere. Based on marker genes and microsatellite data, two distinct lineages have been identified that were introduced into Europe on two separate occasions. Despite their overall distinct geographic distribution, they have been found to coexist in regions of northern Spain and France. Here, we present the first genome-wide study of
Lecanosticta acicola
, including assembly of the reference genome and a population genomics analysis of 70 natural isolates from northern Spain. We show that most of the isolates belong to the southern lineage but show signs of introgression with northern lineage isolates, indicating mating between the two lineages. We also identify phenotypic differences between the two lineages based on the activity profiles of 20 enzymes, with introgressed strains being more phenotypically similar to members of the southern lineage. In conclusion, we show undergoing genetic admixture between the two main lineages of
L. acicola
in a region of recent expansion.

IMPORTANCE

Lecanosticta acicola
is a fungal pathogen causing severe defoliation, growth reduction, and even death in more than 70 conifer species. Despite the increasing incidence of this species, little is known about its population dynamics. Two divergent lineages have been described that have now been found together in regions of France and Spain, but it is unknown how these mixed populations evolve. Here we present the first reference genome for this important plant pathogenic fungi and use it to study the population genomics of 70 isolates from an affected forest in the north of Spain. We find signs of introgression between the two main lineages, indicating that active mating is occurring in this region which could propitiate the appearance of novel traits in this species. We also study the phenotypic differences across this population based on enzymatic activities on 20 compounds.
Correlation between bacterial microbiome and
Legionella
species in water from public bath facilities by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing
Authors: Kanatani Jun-ichi , Fujiyoshi So , Isobe Junko , Kimata Keiko , Watahiki Masanori , Maenishi Emi , Izumiyama Shinji , Amemura-Maekawa Junko , Maruyama Fumito , Oishi Kazunori
Published: February 2024

Public bath facilities are a major source of
Legionella
infections in Japan. In this study, we performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to characterize the bacterial community in bath and shower water from public bath facilities, along with chemical parameters, and investigated the effect of the bacterial microbiome on the presence of
Legionella
species. Although no significant difference in bacterial community richness was observed between bath and shower water samples, there was a remarkable difference in the bacterial community structure between them. Distance-based redundancy analysis revealed that several factors (free residual chlorine, pH, and conductivity) were correlated with the bacterial community in bath water. The most abundant bacterial genera in the samples were
Pseudomonas
(13.7%) in bath water and
Phreatobacter
(13.6%) in shower water, as indicated by the taxonomic composition, and the dominant bacteria differed between these environmental samples.
Legionella pneumophila
was the most frequently detected
Legionella
species, with additional 15 other
Legionella
species detected in water samples. In
Legionella-
positive water samples, several unassigned and uncultured bacteria were enriched together. In addition, the co-occurrence network showed that
Legionella
was strongly interconnected with two uncultured bacteria.
Corynebacterium
and
Sphingomonas
negatively correlated with
Legionella
species. The present study reveals the ecology of
Legionella
species, especially their interactions with other bacteria that are poorly understood to date.

IMPORTANCE

Public bath facilities are major sources of sporadic cases and outbreaks of
Legionella
infections. Recently, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing has been used to analyze bacterial characteristics in various water samples from both artificial and natural environments, with a particular focus on
Legionella
bacterial species. However, the relationship between the bacterial community and
Legionella
species in the water from public bath facilities remains unclear. In terms of hygiene management, it is important to reduce the growth of
Legionella
species by disinfecting the water in public bath facilities. Our findings contribute to the establishment of appropriate hygiene management practices and provide a basis for understanding the potential health effects of using bath and shower water available in public bath facilities.
Supplemental Material: Detrital isotopic record of a retreating accretionary orogen: An example from the Patagonian Andes
Authors: Rey Fernando M. , al. et
Published: February 2024

(1) Locations of the unpublished detrital zircon U-Pb zircon samples, (2) detrital zircon U-Pb geochronological data from the unpublished samples, and (3) detrital zircon Lu-Hf isotopic data from the unpublished samples.  
Supplemental Material: Hyper-enrichment of gold via quartz fracturing and growth of polymetallic melt droplets
Authors: Jian Wei , al. et
Published: February 2024

Methods S1; Tables S1–S4; Figures S1–S3.  
Development and validation of new multimorbidity-weighted index for ICD-10-coded electronic health record and claims data: an observational study
Authors: Wei Melissa Y , Leis Aleda M , Vasilyev Arseniy , Kang Ashley J
Published: February 2024

Objective

Map multimorbidity-weighted index (MWI) conditions to International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10), expand the conditions and codes to develop a new ICD-10-coded MWI (MWI-ICD10) and updated MWI-ICD9, and assess their consistency.

Design

Population-based retrospective cohort.

Setting

Large medical centre between 2013 and 2017.

Participants

Adults ≥18 years old with encounters in each of 4 years (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017).

Main outcome measures

MWI conditions mapped to ICD-10 codes, and additional conditions and codes added to produce a new MWI-ICD10 and updated MWI-ICD9. We compared the prevalence of ICD-coded MWI conditions within the ICD-9 era (2013–2014), within the ICD-10 era (2016–2017) and across the ICD-9–ICD-10 transition in 2015 (washout period) among adults present in both sets of comparison years. We computed the prevalence and change in prevalence of conditions when using MWI-ICD10 versus MWI-ICD9.

Results

88 175 adults met inclusion criteria. Participants were 60.8% female, 50.5% white, with mean age 54.7±17.3 years and baseline MWI-ICD9 4.47±6.02 (range 0–64.33). Of 94 conditions, 65 had <1% difference across the ICD-9–ICD-10 transition and similar minimal changes within ICD coding eras.

Conclusions

MWI-ICD10 captured the prevalence of chronic conditions nearly identically to that of the validated MWI-ICD9, along with notable but explicable changes across the ICD-10 transition. This new comprehensive person-centred index enables quantification of cumulative disease burden and physical functioning in adults as a clinically meaningful measure of multimorbidity in electronic health record and claims data.
Cohort profile for the Tongji Cardiovascular Health Study: a prospective multiomics cohort study
Authors: Xu Ting , Lu Yueqi , Chen Bangwei , Deng Chenxin , Zhang Yucong , Wang Mei , Ling Huifen , Huang Yi , Yuan Jing , Jin Xin , Ruan Lei , Li Tao , Zhang Cun-Tai
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The Tongji Cardiovascular Health Study aimed to further explore the onset and progression mechanisms of cardiovascular disease (CVD) through a combination of traditional cohort studies and multiomics analysis, including genomics, metabolomics and metagenomics.

Study design and participants

This study included participants aged 20–70 years old from the Geriatric Health Management Centre of Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology. After enrollment, each participant underwent a comprehensive series of traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factor assessments at baseline, including questionnaires, physical examinations, laboratory tests, cardiovascular health assessments and biological sample collection for subsequent multiomics analysis (whole genome sequencing, metabolomics study from blood samples and metagenomics study from stool samples). A biennial follow-up will be performed for 10 years to collect the information above and the outcome data.

Findings to date

A total of 2601 participants were recruited in this study (73.4% men), with a mean age of 51.5±11.5 years. The most common risk factor is overweight or obesity (54.8%), followed by hypertension (39.7%), hyperlipidaemia (32.4%), current smoking (23.9%) and diabetes (12.3%). Overall, 13.1% and 48.7% of men and women, respectively, did not have any of the CVD risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, cigarette smoking and overweight or obesity). Additionally, multiomics analyses of a subsample of the participants (n=938) are currently ongoing.

Future plans

With the progress of the cohort follow-up work, it is expected to provide unique multidimensional and longitudinal data on cardiovascular health in China.
Investigating the association between genetically proxied circulating levels of immune checkpoint proteins and cancer survival: protocol for a Mendelian randomisation analysis
Authors: Bate Tessa , Martin Richard M , Yarmolinsky James , Haycock Philip C
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Compared with the traditional drug development pathway, investigating alternative uses for existing drugs (ie, drug repurposing) requires substantially less time, cost and resources. Immune checkpoint inhibitors are licensed for the treatment of certain breast, colorectal, head and neck, lung and melanoma cancers. These drugs target immune checkpoint proteins to reduce the suppression of T cell activation by cancer cells. As T cell suppression is a hallmark of cancer common across anatomical sites, we hypothesise that immune checkpoint inhibitors could be repurposed for the treatment of additional cancers beyond the ones already indicated.

Methods and analysis

We will use two-sample Mendelian randomisation to investigate the effect of genetically proxied levels of protein targets of two immune checkpoint inhibitors—programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed death ligand 1—on survival of seven cancer types (breast, colorectal, head and neck, lung, melanoma, ovarian and prostate). Summary genetic association data will be obtained from prior genome-wide association studies of circulating protein levels and cancer survival in populations of European ancestry. Various sensitivity analyses will be performed to examine the robustness of findings to potential violations of Mendelian randomisation assumptions, collider bias and the impact of alternative genetic instrument construction strategies. The impact of treatment history and tumour stage on the findings will also be investigated using summary-level and individual-level genetic data where available.

Ethics and dissemination

No separate ethics approval will be required for these analyses as we will be using data from previously published genome-wide association studies which individually gained ethical approval and participant consent. Results from analyses will be submitted as an open-access peer-reviewed publication and statistical code will be made freely available on the completion of the analysis.
Healthcare-seeking behaviours of patients with acute respiratory infection: a cross-sectional survey in a rural area of southwest China
Authors: Dai Peixi , Qi Li , Jia Mengmeng , Li Tingting , Ran Hua , Jiang Mingyue , Tang Wenge , Yan Chaoyang , Yang Weizhong , Ren Yuhua , Feng Luzhao
Published: February 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the healthcare-seeking behaviour and related factors of people with acute respiratory symptoms in the rural areas of central and western China to estimate the disease burden of influenza more accurately.

Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Settings

Fifty-two communities/villages in the Wanzhou District, Chongqing, China, a rural area in southwest China, from May 2022 to July 2022.

Participants

The participants were those who had been living in Wanzhou District continuously for more than 6 months and consented to participate.

Outcome measures

A semistructured questionnaire was used to determine the healthcare-seeking behaviour of participants, and the dichotomous response of ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was used to assess whether participants had acute respiratory symptoms and their healthcare-seeking behaviour.

Results

Only 50.92% (360 of 707) of the patients with acute respiratory infection visited medical and health institutions for treatment, whereas 49.08% (347 of 707) avoided treatment or opted for self-medication. The primary reason for not seeing a doctor was that patients felt their condition was not serious and visiting a medical facility for treatment was unnecessary. Short distance (87.54%) and reasonable charges (49.48%) were ranked as the most important reasons for choosing treatment at primary medical and health facilities (80.27%). The primary reasons for which patients visited secondary and tertiary hospitals (7.78% and 8.61%, respectively) were that doctors in such facilities were better at diagnosis (57.14%) and at treatment (87.10%).

Conclusion

The findings provided in this study indicated that regular healthcare-seeking behaviour investigations should be conducted. The disease burden of influenza can be calculated more accurately when healthcare-seeking behaviour investigations are combined with surveillance in the hospitals.
Psychiatric inpatient care for persons with dissociative identity disorder: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Söderberg Anja , Lindgren Britt-Marie , Looi Git-Marie Ejneborn , Bäckström Josefin , Gabrielsson Sebastian
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Psychiatric inpatient care (PIC) is often characterised by high pressure and thresholds for admission, brief periods of care and limited time for caring activities. Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a contested diagnosis, and persons with DID are at risk of not receiving adequate support when cared for in PIC. Because the limited literature addressing the topic includes no overview on how persons with DID are cared for in psychiatric inpatient settings, the aim of this scoping review is to map the area of knowledge on PIC for persons experiencing DID. This scoping review will provide an overview with the possibility to elucidate gaps in the evidence base and needs for future research on PIC for persons experiencing DID.

Methods and analysis

This scoping review will follow Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis for Scoping Reviews and steps 1–5 described in the established method for scoping reviews: identifying research question, identifying relevant studies, study selection, charting the data and collating, summarising and reporting results.

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

Dissemination

This scoping review will be submitted for publication in an international, peer-reviewed journal.
Identifying neonates at risk for post-discharge mortality in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and Monrovia, Liberia: Derivation and internal validation of a novel risk assessment tool
Authors: Rees Chris A , Ideh Readon C , Kisenge Rodrick , Kamara Julia , Coleman-Nekar Ye-Jeung G , Samma Abraham , Godfrey Evance , Manji Hussein K , Sudfeld Christopher R , Westbrook Adrianna L , Niescierenko Michelle , Morris Claudia R , Whitney Cynthia G , Breiman Robert F , Duggan Christopher P , Manji Karim P
Published: February 2024

Introduction

The immediate period after hospital discharge carries a large burden of childhood mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Our objective was to derive and internally validate a risk assessment tool to identify neonates discharged from the neonatal ward at risk for 60-day post-discharge mortality.

Methods

We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of neonates discharged from Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and John F Kennedy Medical Centre in Monrovia, Liberia. Research staff called caregivers to ascertain vital status up to 60 days after discharge. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses with best subset selection to identify socioeconomic, demographic, clinical, and anthropometric factors associated with post-discharge mortality. We used adjusted log coefficients to assign points to each variable and internally validated our tool with bootstrap validation with 500 repetitions.

Results

There were 2344 neonates discharged and 2310 (98.5%) had post-discharge outcomes available. The median (IQR) age at discharge was 8 (4, 15) days; 1238 (53.6%) were male. In total, 71 (3.1%) died during follow-up (26.8% within 7 days of discharge). Leaving against medical advice (adjusted OR [aOR] 5.62, 95% CI 2.40 to 12.10) and diagnosis of meconium aspiration (aOR 6.98, 95% CI 1.69 to 21.70) conferred the greatest risk for post-discharge mortality. The risk assessment tool included nine variables (total possible score=63) and had an optimism corrected area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.77 (95% CI 0.75 to 0.80). A score of ≥6 was most optimal (sensitivity 68.3% [95% CI 64.8% to 71.5%], specificity 72.1% [95% CI 71.5% to 72.7%]).

Conclusions

A small number of factors predicted all-cause, 60-day mortality after discharge from neonatal wards in Tanzania and Liberia. After external validation, this risk assessment tool may facilitate clinical decision making for eligibility for discharge and the direction of resources to follow-up high risk neonates.
Developing a quality framework for community pharmacy: a systematic review of international literature
Authors: Hindi Ali M K , Campbell Stephen M , Jacobs Sally , Schafheutle Ellen Ingrid
Published: February 2024

Objective

To identify the defining features of the quality of community pharmacy (CP) services and synthesise these into an evidence-based quality framework.

Design

Systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

Data sources

International research evidence (2005 onwards) identified from six electronic databases (Embase, PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO) was reviewed systematically from October 2022 to January 2023. Search terms related to ‘community pharmacy’ and ‘quality’.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies

Titles and abstracts were screened against inclusion or exclusion criteria, followed by full-text screening by at least two authors. Qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method studies relevant to quality in CP were included.

Data extraction and synthesis

A narrative synthesis was undertaken. Following narrative synthesis, a patient and public involvement event was held to further refine the quality framework.

Results

Following the title and abstract screening of 11 493 papers, a total of 81 studies (qualitative and quantitative) were included. Of the 81 included studies, 43 investigated quality dimensions and/or factors influencing CP service quality; 21 studies assessed patient satisfaction with and/or preferences for CP, and 17 studies reported the development and assessment of quality indicators, standards and guidelines for CPs, which can help define quality.

The quality framework emerging from the global literature consisted of six dimensions: person-centred care, access, environment, safety, competence and integration within local healthcare systems. Quality was defined as having timely and physical access to personalised care in a suitable environment that is safe and effective, with staff competent in the dispensing process and pharmacy professionals possessing clinical knowledge and diagnostic skills to assess and advise patients relative to pharmacists’ increasingly clinical roles.

Conclusion

The emerging framework could be used to measure and improve the quality of CP services. Further research and feasibility testing are needed to validate the framework according to the local healthcare context.
Effects of ambient air pollution on obesity and ectopic fat deposition: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Munir Mehnaz , Azab Sandi M , I Bangdiwala Shrikant , Kurmi Om , Doiron Dany , Brook Jeffrey , Banfield Laura , de Souza Russell J
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Globally, the prevalence of obesity tripled from 1975 to 2016. There is evidence that air pollution may contribute to the obesity epidemic through an increase in oxidative stress and inflammation of adipose tissue. However, the impact of air pollution on body weight at a population level remains inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis will estimate the association of ambient air pollution with obesity, distribution of ectopic adipose tissue, and the incidence and prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among adults.

Methods and analysis

The study will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for conduct and reporting. The search will include the following databases: Ovid Medline, Embase, PubMed, Web of Science and Latin America and the Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences, and will be supplemented by a grey literature search. Each article will be independently screened by two reviewers, and relevant data will be extracted independently and in duplicate. Study-specific estimates of associations and their 95% Confidence Intervals will be pooled using a DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model, implemented using the RevMan software. The I2statistic will be used to assess interstudy heterogeneity. The confidence in the body of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

Ethics and dissemination

As per institutional policy, ethical approval is not required for secondary data analysis. In addition to being published in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at conferences, the results of the meta-analysis will be shared with key stakeholders, health policymakers and healthcare professionals.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42023423955.