bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Responses to Crown Modification of California Black Oak Sprouts Initiated by High-Severity Wildfire
Authors: Ritchie Martin , Berrill John-Pascal , Hammett Ethan , Long Jonathan W
Published: August 2023

Hardwoods resprouting after wildfire or cutting develop as multistemmed clumps that gradually self-thin over time. There is increasing interest in thinning of sprouting species to accelerate the formation of tree characteristics important to indigenous cultural practices and wildlife such as large-diameter stems, large branches, broad crowns, and acorn production. We compared responses to three thinning treatments applied to black oak (Quercus kelloggii) resprouting after high-severity wildfire throughout northern California, USA. Basal area increment of the dominant stem was greatest after only one stem was retained, intermediate after three stems were retained, and lowest within unthinned oaks. Unwanted resprouting in response to the thinning was minimized by retaining three stems. Acorn production tended to increase as time elapsed since the fire (i.e., larger, older sprouts) but varied among sites and was noted as early as six years after fire at one site. More study is needed to test for the effects of thinning timing and intensity on the acceleration of acorn production as well as stem, branch, and crown size development over time.
A vast population of wandering and merging IMBHs at cosmic noon
Authors: Di Matteo Tiziana , Ni Yueying , Chen Nianyi , Croft Rupert , Bird Simeon , Pacucci Fabio , Ricarte Angelo , Tremmel Michael
Published: August 2023

Massive black holes in the centres of galaxies today must have grown by several orders of magnitude from seed black holes formed at early times. Detecting a population of intermediate mass black holes (IMBHs) can provide constraints on these elusive BH seeds. Here, we use the large volume cosmological hydrodynamical simulation Astrid, which includes IMBH seeds and dynamical friction to investigate the population of IMBH seeds. Dynamical friction is largely inefficient at sinking and merging seed IMBHs at high-z. This leads to an extensive population (several hundred per galaxy) of wandering IMBHs in large haloes at $z\sim 2$. A small fraction of these IMBHs are detectable as HLXs, Hyper Luminous X-ray sources. Importantly, at $z\sim 2$, IMBHs mergers produce the peak of GW events. We find close to a million GW events in Astrid between $z=\rm{2\!-\!3}$ involving seed IMBH mergers. These GW events (almost all detectable by LISA) at cosmic noon should provide strong constraints on IMBH seed models and their formation mechanisms. At the centre of massive galaxies, where the number of IMBHs can be as high as 10–100, SMBH-IMBH pairs can form. These Intermediate mass ratio inspirals (IMRIs) and extreme mass ratio inspirals (EMRIs), will require the next generation of milli-$\mu$Hz space-based GW interferometers to be detected. Large populations of IMBHs around massive black holes will probe their environments and MBH causal structure.
Nietzsche’s Healing Art of Transfiguration
Authors: van Tongeren Paul
Published: August 2023

Nietzsche’s philosopher is a physician of culture. Gradually he discovers that he is part of that culture—and its illness. To recover from it, he develops an ‘art of transfiguration’. This notion is in play as early as The Birth of Tragedy (1872), taken from Rafael’s famous last painting and used to explain the healing power of Greek tragedy. Later on, he applies the concept to his own philosophy, which helps him recover from his suffering by discovering how closely his illness is tied to culture’s illness. He finally radicalizes the concept of transfiguration by elevating music as ‘an art of forgetting’ over painting and theatre as ‘arts before witnesses’. Visual arts reconcile us with reality through representation; music transforms our existence.
“Nueva refutación del tiempo” [A New Refutation of Time] and the Portrayal of an Ironic Fate
Authors: Martín Marina
Published: August 2023

When the author was writing her PhD dissertation on David Hume at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Madrid, back in 1981, she was unable to believe that a given literary production would shed so much light not just on Hume, but on the whole history of philosophy. It wasn’t until she came to the United States and plunged completely into Borges’s writings that she realized the magnitude of his erudition and philosophical competence. After completing her dissertation on Borges and Hume at the University of Virginia, she continued working on the scope and nature of Borges’s skepticism. Taking Kemp Smith’s interpretation of Hume (a critic cited in “Nueva refutación del tiempo” [A New Refutation of Time]), this chapter focuses on the role that both Hume’s skepticism and naturalism play in “Nueva refutación del tiempo,” a capital essay in Borges’s writings that should be fully viewed as a significant contribution in contemporary philosophy.
Ethics and the Arts in Early China
Authors: Hutton Eric L.
Published: August 2023

During the classical period of Chinese philosophy (sixth to third centuries bce), thinkers developed a variety of views about how one ought to live, and about the role of the arts in an ideal life. Music is a primary case over which they contended, and they offered competing arguments about the sorts of music to which one should listen, whether one should listen to it all, and whether one should learn to perform it. This chapter surveys these debates, focusing on the disagreements between three main camps: Confucianism (as seen in the Analects and the Xunzi), Daoism (represented by the Laozi and the Zhuangzi), and Mohism. The chapter also considers how certain Chinese views might prompt us to reconsider our conception of the categories of “ethics” and “the arts” themselves.
Śrīvidyā and Goddess Traditions
Authors: Golovkova Anna A.
Published: August 2023

This chapter analyzes textual scholarship on Śrīvidyā in English within the context of Hindu tantrism and goddess-oriented traditions. It begins with an analysis of contributions by John Woodroffe, who introduced Śrīvidyā to English-language audiences and solidified a pattern of tantric apologetics, showcasing philosophical and metaphysical texts to the detriment of a nuanced study of ritual. Next, it reflects on the scholarship by D. R. Kinsley, A. Padoux, and D. R. Brooks, outlining contributions to the field along with necessary revisions and updates. Finally, it turns to the twenty-first-century scholarship, following the publication of Sanderson’s seminal paper, “The Śaiva Age.” It concludes with reflections on best approaches to the study of this dynamic and diverse tradition with more than ten centuries of history and a unique sectarian identity. Instead of a monolithic tradition or a simple trajectory of domestication and sublimation, it argues that Śrīvidyā’s development is a multifaceted process at the intersection of Kaula, tantric, Vedic, and bhakti practices.
Intrapersonal Risk and Protective Factors for NSSI
Authors: Jorgensen Saskia , Hart Erica A. , Burns Emily , Fox Kathryn R.
Published: August 2023

This chapter begins by defining risk and protective factors, with a focus on their use in the context of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Theoretically, risk factor constructs should both be observable prior to the onset of NSSI and differentiate those who do and do not develop NSSI over time. Whereas risk factors are constructs that increase risk, protective factors are those that decrease risk. There are several additional critical considerations when reviewing risk factors, such as the variation of risk factor potency across populations and the implications of different types of risk factors (fixed risk factors, variable risk factors, and causal risk factors). The chapter then describes the barriers to research on NSSI risk and protective factors; among the most critical includes NSSI measurement. Risk factor research requires that the outcome of interest can be defined and measured clearly and consistently. Unfortunately, definitions and measures of NSSI vary widely across researchers. The chapter also summarizes the current state of research on intrapersonal (i.e., factors that occur within someone) NSSI risk and protective factors.
Using 4MOST to refine the measurement of galaxy properties: a case study of supernova hosts
Authors: Dumayne J , Hook I M , Williams S C , Lowes G A , Head D , Fritz A , Graur O , Holwerda B , Humphrey A , Milligan A , Nicholl M , Roukema B F , Wiseman P
Published: August 2023

The Rubin Observatory’s 10-yr Legacy Survey of Space and Time will observe near to 20 billion galaxies. For each galaxy the properties can be inferred. Approximately 105 galaxies observed per year will contain Type Ia supernovae (SNe), allowing SN host-galaxy properties to be calculated on a large scale. Measuring the properties of SN host galaxies serves two main purposes. The first is that there are known correlations between host galaxy type and SN type, which can be used to aid in the classification of SNe. Secondly, Type Ia SNe exhibit correlations between host-galaxy properties and the peak luminosities of the SNe, which has implications for their use as standardizable candles in cosmology. We have used simulations to quantify the improvement in host-galaxy stellar mass (M*) measurements when supplementing photometry from Rubin with spectroscopy from the 4-metre Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (4MOST) instrument. We provide results in the form of expected uncertainties in M* for galaxies with 0.1 < z < 0.9 and 18 < rAB < 25. We show that for galaxies mag 22 and brighter, combining Rubin and 4MOST data reduces the uncertainty measurements of galaxy M* by more than a factor of 2 compared with Rubin data alone. This applies for elliptical and Sc-type hosts. We demonstrate that the reduced uncertainties in M* lead to an improvement of 7 per cent in the precision of the ‘mass step’ correction. We expect our improved measurements of host-galaxy properties to aid in the photometric classification of SNe observed by Rubin.
Current Challenges and Future Promise for Use of Extracellular Matrix Scaffold to Achieve the Whole Organ Tissue Engineering Moonshot
Authors: Somasekhar Likitha , Griffiths Leigh G
Published: August 2023

Whole organ tissue engineering encompasses a variety of approaches, including 3D printed tissues, cell-based self-assembly, and cellular incorporation into synthetic or xenogeneic extracellular matrix (ECM) scaffolds. This review article addresses the importance of whole organ tissue engineering for various solid organ applications, focusing on the use of extracellular (ECM) matrix scaffolds in such engineering endeavors. In this work, we focus on the emerging barriers to translation of ECM scaffold-based tissue-engineered organs and highlight potential solutions to overcome the primary challenges in the field. The 3 main factors that are essential for developing ECM scaffold-based whole organs are (1) recapitulation of a functional vascular tree, (2) delivery and orientation of cells into parenchymal void spaces left vacant in the scaffold during the antigen elimination and associated cellular removal processes, and (3) driving differentiation of delivered cells toward the appropriate site-specific lineage. The insights discussed in this review will allow the potential of allogeneic or xenogeneic ECM scaffolds to be fully maximized for future whole organ tissue-engineering efforts.
Endometrial Cancer and Reproductive Justice
Authors: Doll Kemi M.
Published: August 2023

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States. Black individuals with EC have had a more than 90% higher 5-year mortality risk than White people while being subject to lower quality care across the entire disease process. In this commentary, I offer the perspective that EC is part of the reproductive justice movement, as a representation of threat to reproductive health independent of childbearing. With this work, I want to place EC squarely among the discursive arguments that reproductive justice makes in the interconnectedness of fertility, reproductive health, parenthood, and, ultimately, life.
Sliding Osteotomy, a New Simple Technique for Olecranon Nonunion Treatment
Authors: Saremi Hossein , Shirouei Sepehr , Shojaie Babak
Published: August 2023

Nonunion is a rare complication after surgical treatment of olecranon fracture, but indeed it is a devastating one because of the high potential for elbow stiffness, pain, soft tissue and skin problems, and device complaining. To our knowledge, there is no treatment of choice for olecranon nonunion in the literature. Here we describe a unique and new technique by sliding osteotomy of the olecranon in the form of prism and refixation with tension band wiring. Then, we report the clinical results for our 2 patients operated using this technique.
Orthostatic hypotension and its association with cerebral small vessel disease in a memory clinic population
Authors: Wiersinga Julia H.I. , Rhodius-Meester Hanneke F.M. , Wolters Frank J. , Trappenburg Marijke C. , Lemstra Afina W. , Barkhof Frederik , Peters Mike J.L. , van der Flier Wiesje M. , Muller Majon
Published: August 2023

Background:

Orthostatic hypotension (OH), an impaired blood pressure (BP) response to postural change, has been associated with cognitive decline and dementia, possibly through cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). We hypothesized that longer duration of BP drop and a larger BP drop is associated with increased risk of CSVD.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included 3971 memory clinic patients (mean age 68 years, 45% female, 42% subjective cognitive complaints, 17% mild cognitive impairment, 41% dementia) from the Amsterdam Ageing Cohort and Amsterdam Dementia Cohort. Early OH (EOH) was defined as a drop in BP of ±20 mmHg systolic and/or 10 mmHg diastolic only at 1 min after standing, and delayed/prolonged OH (DPOH) at 1 and/or 3 min after standing. Presence of CSVD [white matter hyperintensities (WMH), lacunes, microbleeds] was assessed with MRI (n = 3584) or CT brain (n = 389).

Results:

The prevalence of early OH was 9% and of delayed/prolonged OH 18%. Age- and sex-adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that delayed/prolonged OH, but not early OH, was significantly associated with a higher burden of WMH (OR, 95%CI: 1.21, 1.00–1.46) and lacunes (OR, 95%CI 1.34, 1.06–1.69), but not microbleeds (OR, 95%CI 1.22, 0.89–1.67). When adjusting for supine SBP, these associations attenuated (ORs, 95%CI for WMH 1.04, 0.85–1.27; for lacunes 1.21, 0.91–1.62; for microbleeds 0.95, 0.68–1.31). A larger drop in SBP was associated with increased risk of WMH and microbleeds, however, when adjusted for supine SBP, this effect diminished.

Conclusions:

Among memory clinic patients, DPOH is more common than EOH. While longer duration and larger magnitude of BP drop coincided with a higher burden of CSVD, these associations were largely explained by high supine BP.
Obesity dominates early effects on cardiac structure and arterial stiffness in people with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Abushamat Layla A. , Enge Daniel , Fujiwara Takashi , Schäfer Michal , Clark Ethan W. , Englund Erin K. , Scalzo Rebecca L. , Johnston Aspen , Rafferty Deirdre , Schauer Irene E. , Whipple Mary O. , Hunter Kendall , Huebschmann Amy G. , Nadeau Kristen J. , Jarvis Kelly , Barker Alex J. , Regensteiner Judith G. , Reusch Jane E.B.
Published: August 2023

Objective:

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity are global epidemics leading to excess cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study investigates standard and novel cardiac MRI parameters to detect subclinical cardiac and central vascular dysfunction in inactive people with and without T2D.

Methods:

Physically inactive age and BMI-similar premenopausal women and men with (n = 22) and without [n = 34, controls with overweight/obesity (CWO)] uncomplicated T2D were compared to an age-similar and sex-similar reference control cohort (n = 20). Left ventricular (LV) structure, function, and aortic stiffness were assessed by MRI. Global arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV) was assessed using carotid-to-femoral applanation tonometry. Regional PWV was measured via 2D phase-contrast MRI and 4D flow MRI.

Results:

Global arterial PWV did not differ between CWO and T2D. 2D PC-MRI PWV in the ascending aorta was higher in people with T2D compared with CWOs (P < 0.01). 4D flow PWV in the thoracic aorta was higher in CWO (P < 0.01), and T2D (P < 0.001) compared with RC. End-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, and cardiac output were lower in CWO and T2D groups compared with reference control.

Conclusion:

Subclinical changes in arterial stiffening and cardiac remodeling in inactive CWO and T2D compared with reference control support obesity and/or physical inactivity as determinants of incipient CVD complications in uncomplicated T2D. Future studies should determine the mechanistic causes of the CVD complications in greater detail in order to create therapeutic targets.

Clinical Trial Registration:

Cardiovascular Mechanisms of Exercise Intolerance in Diabetes and the Role of Sex (NCT03419195).
Efficacy of the Head Rotation Test With Bowing for the Lateral Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional vertigo
Authors: Kim Min Woo , Jin Myung Ho , Kim Jong Kwan , Kwak Min Young
Published: August 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of the head rotation test with bowing (B-HRT) in the sitting position in diagnosing lateral semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (LSC-BPPV).

Methods

The efficacy outcomes of lateralization of 25 patients with LSC-BPPV were prospectively evaluated using B-HRT. Traditional head toration in the supine position (S-HRT) and the bow and lean test were also assessed for comparative effectiveness.

Results

Direction-changing nystagmus was detected in all patients with LSC-BPPV (100%) using B-HRT. The nystagmus direction (geotropic or apogeotropic) determined by B-HRT was consistent with that determined by S-HRT with a perfect level of agreement (Cohen κ = 1.0, p < 0.001**). In 76.0% of the cases, the determination of the affected ear was concordant between B-HRT and S-HRT (Cohen κ = 0.409, p = 0.037*). The concordance rate between B-HRT and bow and lean test showed a fair level of agreement (68.0%; Cohen κ = 0.286, p = 0.126) with no statistical significance. On comparing the peak slow-phase velocity (SPV), SPVs of positional nystagmus on the stronger side and weaker side did not differ statistically significantly between S-HRT and B-HRT. In 12 of the 25 cases, in which the peak SPV asymmetry was determined as less than 30% by S-HRT (average, 11.00 ± 6.87%), the asymmetry determined by B-HRT (average, 47.31 ± 34.78%) was significantly higher, facilitating lesion identification by performing B-HRT together (p = 0.001*).

Conclusion

B-HRT in the sitting position identified direction-changing nystagmus in LSC-BPPV. B-HRT is helpful in facilitating the diagnosis of LSC-BPPV in the sitting position and determination of the affected ears in cases with nonprominent differences in bilateral nystagmus intensity according to S-HRT.
Outcomes of Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair With Concurrent Eustachian Tube Dysfunction
Authors: Miller Emma Marin , Raymond Mallory J. , Ottinger Allie M. , Yazdani Milad , Meyer Ted A.
Published: August 2023

Objective

To compare the presentation and outcomes of patients with and without obstructive eustachian tube dysfunction (oETD) undergoing repair of lateral skull base spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) leaks.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Patients

Adults with lateral skull base sCSF leaks who underwent repairs from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2020, were collected.

Main Outcome Measure

Comparative statistics and effect sizes were used to compare clinical features, operative findings, and outcomes between groups.

Results

Of 92 ears from 89 patients included, 51.1% (n = 47) had oETD. There were no differences in demographics between patients with and without oETD. Mean age was 60.7 ± 13.1 versus 58.5 ± 12.8 years (d = −0.17 [−0.58 to 0.24]), mean body mass index was 33.8 ± 8.5 versus 36.0 ± 8.0 kg/m2 (d = 0.27 [−0.14 to 0.68]), and female sex preponderance was 59.6% (n = 28) versus 68.8% (n = 31; Φ = −0.09), respectively. There were no differences in the radiologic number, size, and locations of defects. Patients with oETD had less pneumatized mastoids than those without oETD (p = 0.001; Φ = 0.43). Mean change from preoperative to postoperative air pure-tone average for those with and without oETD was −1.1 ± 12.6 versus 0.1 ± 17.2 dB (d = 0.09 [−0.04 to 0.58]), respectively. Six ears (6.5%; three with and three without oETD) underwent revisions for rhinorrhea/otorrhea between 5 and 28 months postoperatively, during which four leaks were found, the two patients without leaks had oETD.

Conclusions

The presentation of sCSF leaks and outcomes of repairs in patients with oETD do not differ from those without oETD. Although postoperative otorrhea might represent an inflammatory or infectious process in patients with oETD, reexploration is warranted if patients do not improve with conservative treatment.
Automated Western Blot Analysis of Ototoxin-Induced Prestin Burst in the Blood after Cyclodextrin Exposure
Authors: Harrison Megan S. , Driscoll Brittany G. , Farnsworth Jason , Hinton Ashley , Peppi Marcello , McLean Will , Parham Kourosh
Published: August 2023

Hypothesis

Ototoxin cyclodextrin (CDX) will induce a burst in serum prestin when quantified with automated Western blot analysis.

Background

In the clinical realm, we primarily rely on audiological measures for diagnosis and surveillance of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and have limited therapeutic options. We have proposed a blood-based biomarker approach to overcome this challenge by measuring the outer hair cell’s (OHC) electromotile protein, prestin, in the blood. Previously, we demonstrated a burst in serum prestin after cisplatin exposure using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assayELISA.

Methods

Guinea pigs were treated with either 3,000 or 4,000 mg/kg CDX, and serum samples were obtained through 3 days after exposure. Serum prestin levels were quantified using automated blot analysis, western and hair cell counts were obtained.

Results

Both 3,000 and 4,000 mg/kg resulted in robust OHC loss, although more variability was seen at the lower dose. Automated Western blot analysis demonstrated that the prestin profile after CDX exposure is different than baseline. Specifically, a new ~134- kDa band accounted for the prestin burst after ototoxin ablation of OHCs at both doses.

Conclusions

We reproduced the prestin burst seen after cisplatin administration using CDX. Automated Western blot western analysis revealed that a ~a ~ 134- kDa species of prestin is responsible for the burst. We suggest that the induced band may be a prestin dimer, which could serve as a biomarker for early detection of ototoxicity in the clinical setting. These results add further promise to the potential of serum prestin to serve as an ototoxicity biomarker when using therapeutics with ototoxic properties.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Incidence of Pediatric Acute Otitis Media in Seoul, South Korea
Authors: Lee Hyun-Jin , Mun Seog-Kyun , Chang Munyoung
Published: August 2023

Objective

The implementation of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may affect the incidence of infectious diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in the incidence of pediatric acute otitis media (AOM) after the COVID-19 outbreak in Seoul, South Korea.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Patients

We ascertained the daily number of COVID-19 and pediatric AOM patients between January 20, 2020, and June 19, 2020. During the same period, the number of children using public transportation was used as an index for implementing NPIs. The same period 1 year ago was set as the control period.

Intervention

Diagnostic.

Main Outcome Measure

The differences in the incidence of AOM and implementation of NPIs between the COVID-19 pandemic and control period were analyzed using segmented regression analyses. Negative values of difference meant that the number in the COVID-19 pandemic period declined compared with the control period.

Results

The study period was divided into two sections based on the change point of the COVID-19 cases. In the first period, the increased number of COVID-19 cases decreased, and in the second period, the number of COVID-19 cases increased again. Similar trends were observed in the incidence of AOM and NPI implementation. Before the change point, the study found a significant decreasing trend in the differences in pediatric AOM cases and children using public transportation. However, these trends changed after the change point, with a significant increase in both indices.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that NPIs for COVID-19 may influence the incidence of pediatric AOM.
Bilateral Orbital Compartment Syndrome Following a Craniotomy With Coronal Incision
Authors: Wang Xingdong , Guo Wenqiang , Ding Dacheng , Wang Hu
Published: August 2023

Background:

Orbital compartment syndrome is a rare ophthalmic emergency characterized by increased intraorbital pressure and hypoperfusion of critical neural structures, most of which were caused by trauma, and can also be caused by periorbital surgery, local injections, other preexisting medical conditions and so on. It requires rapid identification and immediate treatment for the preservation of vision.

Clinical Presentation:

A 61-year-old female with left frontal lobe-parafalcine meningioma underwent a craniotomy with a bicoronal incision. Postoperatively, the patient presented absence of pupillary reaction in both eyes, and complained loss of vision after recovery from anesthesia. Bilateral orbital compartment syndrome was considered 18 hours postoperatively since the marked bilateral proptosis with eyelid edema and conjunctival chemosis. The patient was treated with methylprednisolone, mannitol, hyperbric oxygenation, and neurotrophic agents as recommended by the ophthalmologist. There was no improvement in visual acuity at discharge or at 3-month follow-up postoperatively.

Discussion and Conclusion:

This is a rare case of bilateral irreversible blindness caused by orbital compartment syndrome after a craniotomy with coronal incision. Neurosurgeons need to improve the awareness of this complication for adequate prevention, such as direct ocular pressure from skin flaps, congestion from head positioning, and adequate intraoperative eye protection, and also earlier recognition and management.
Mapping COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and uptake amongst Chinese residents: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Masood Hassan , Irfan Syed
Published: August 2023

Objective

Controlling the COVID-19 pandemic depends on the widespread acceptance of vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy is a growing area of concern in China. The aim of the study is to map the overall acceptance and uptake rates of COVID-19 vaccines across different groups.

Methods

Five peer-reviewed databases bases were searched (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Scopus). Studies that conducted cross-sectional surveys in China to understand the acceptance/willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines were included.

Results

Among 2420 identified studies, 47 studies with 327,046 participants were eligible for data extraction. Males had a higher uptake of COVID-19 vaccines (OR=1.17; 95% CI:1.08 - 1.27) along with Chinese residents with ≥ 5000 RMB monthly income (OR=1.08; 95% CI:1.02 - 1.14).

Conclusion

COVID-19 vaccination uptake rates in China need to be improved. To inform public health decisions, continuous vaccination uptake monitoring is required.
Alcohol use associated alterations in the circulating metabolite profile in the general population and in individuals with major depressive disorder
Authors: Kärkkäinen Olli , Tolmunen Tommi , Kivimäki Petri , Kurkinen Karoliina , Ali-Sisto Toni , Mäntyselkä Pekka , Valkonen-Korhonen Minna , Koivumaa-Honkanen Heli , Honkalampi Kirsi , Ruusunen Anu , Velagapudi Vidya , Lehto Soili M.
Published: August 2023

Our aim was to evaluate whether alcohol use is associated with changes in the circulating metabolite profile similar to those present in persons with depression. If so, these findings could partially explain the link between alcohol use and depression. We applied a targeted liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method to evaluate correlates between concentrations of 86 circulating metabolites and self-reported alcohol use in a cohort of the non-depressed general population (GP) (n = 247) and a cohort of individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD) (n = 99). Alcohol use was associated with alterations in circulating concentrations of metabolites in both cohorts. Our main finding was that self-reported alcohol use was negatively correlated with serum concentrations of hippuric acid in the GP cohort. In the GP cohort, consumption of six or more doses per week was associated with low hippuric acid concentrations, similar to those observed in the MDD cohort, but in these individuals it was regardless of their level of alcohol use. Reduced serum concentrations of hippuric acid suggest that already moderate alcohol use is associated with depression-like changes in the serum levels of metabolites associated with gut microbiota and liver function; this may be one possible molecular level link between alcohol use and depression.
Estimating the direct effects of the genetic liabilities to bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and behavioral traits on suicide attempt using a multivariable Mendelian randomization approach
Authors: Cabrera-Mendoza Brenda , Aydin Necla , Fries Gabriel R. , Docherty Anna R. , Walss-Bass Consuelo , Polimanti Renato
Published: August 2023

Bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ) are associated with higher odds of suicide attempt (SA). In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of BD and SZ genetic liabilities on SA, also considering the contribution of behavioral traits, socioeconomic factors, and substance use disorders. Leveraging large-scale genome-wide association data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (PGC) and the UK Biobank (UKB), we conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to evaluate the putative causal effect of BD (41,917 cases, 371,549 controls) and SZ (53,386 cases, 77,258 controls) on SA (26,590 cases, 492,022 controls). Then, we assessed the putative causal effect of BD and SZ on behavioral traits, socioeconomic factors, and substance use disorders. Considering the associations identified, we evaluated the direct causal effect of behavioral traits, socioeconomic factors, and substance use disorders on SA using a multivariable MR approach. The genetic liabilities to BD and SZ were associated with higher odds of SA (BD odds ratio (OR)=1.24, p=3.88×10−12; SZ OR=1.09, p=2.44×10−20). However, while the effect of mental distress (OR=1.17, p=1.02×10−4) and risk-taking (OR=1.52, p=0.028) on SA was independent of SZ genetic liability, the BD-SA relationship appeared to account for the effect of these risk factors. Similarly, the association with loneliness on SA was null after accounting for the effect of SZ genetic liability. These findings highlight the complex interplay between genetic risk of psychiatric disorders and behavioral traits in the context of SA, suggesting the need for a comprehensive mental health assessment for high-risk individuals.
The plasma proteome of plant-based diets: analyses of 1463 proteins in 50,000 people
Authors: Tong Tammy Y.N. , Smith-Byrne Karl , Papier Keren , Atkins Joshua R. , Parsaeian Mahboubeh , Key Timothy J. , Travis Ruth C.
Published: August 2023

Background and objectives

Circulating proteins are integral to many biological processes. We aimed to assess differences in the plasma proteome between people of different dietary groups defined by degree of animal food consumption.

Methods

The UK Biobank recruited middle-aged adults (mostly 40 to 69 years) throughout the UK between 2006-2010. Relative concentrations of 1463 plasma proteins were quantified using the Olink Proximity Extension Assay on blood samples from 49,326 participants, who were also asked to report their ethnicity and consumption of red and processed meat, poultry, fish, dairy and eggs. We defined six diet groups among the white British participants (23,116 regular meat eaters, 23,323 low meat eaters, 484 poultry eaters, 1074 fish eaters, 722 vegetarians, and 54 vegans), and two diet groups among the British Indians (390 meat eaters and 163 vegetarians). We used multivariable-adjusted linear regressions to assess differences in protein concentrations between diet groups, with correction for multiple testing.

Results

We observed significant differences in many plasma proteins by diet group (683 proteins in white British participants, 1 in British Indians), in particular many proteins that are majority expressed in the digestive system. Of the biggest differences, compared with regular meat eaters, the non-meat eaters had significantly higher FGF21 (e.g. +0.40 SD in vegetarians), GUCA2A (+0.33), FOLR1 (+0.32), IGFBP2 (+0.31) and DSG2 (+0.30); all groups except the vegans had lower HAVCR1 (−0.38 in vegetarians). The observed differences were generally similar in direction in both ethnicities.

Discussion

In this first comprehensive assessment of plasma proteins by diet group, we identified many differences in proteins between groups defined by animal food consumption; this variation in protein levels suggests differences in various biological activities, including gastrointestinal tract and kidney function, which may relate to differences in future disease risk.
Arterial Stiffness is an Important Predictor of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction - The Effects of Phosphate Retention-
Authors: Mizuno Yuji , Ishida Toshifumi , Tsujita Kenichi , Yoshimura Michihiro
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a major health concern. There is a growing recognition of the causal interplay between arterial stiffness and HFpEF. We recently reported that the deterioration of phosphate homeostasis is a trigger for both arterial stiffness. This study focuses on whether arterial stiffness due to phosphate retention could be a predictor for HFpEF.

METHODS

The study subjects were 158 patients (68 males and 90 females, mean age 74.8±11.2). They received echocardiography, central blood pressure (BP) and blood biochemistry tests. HFpEF was defined according to the guidelines of the European Society of Cardiology 2021. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and central systolic blood pressure (CSBP) were used as markers for arterial stiffness and cardiac afterload, respectively. We measured serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) as markers of phosphate retention.

RESULTS

The serum levels of FGF23 had significant relationship with PWV (t=3.33, p<0.001). PWV had a significant positive relationship with CSBP (t=4.54, p<0.001). PWV furthermore had significant relationships with LV mass index (t=4.74), plasma BNP levels (t=5.44), and relative wall thickness (t=3.83), e’ (t=-4.21) and E/e’ (t=7.88) (p<0.001, respectively). Multivariate logistic regression analysis using independent factors, including PWV higher values, sex and hypertension, revealed that PWV higher values (t=5.89, p<0.0001) and hypertension (t=2.17, p=0.031) were significant predictors for the dependent factor (HFpEF).

CONCLUSIONS

Arterial stiffness amplified cardiac afterload, leading to LV concentric hypertrophy and LV diastolic dysfunction. This study presents that arterial stiffness due to phosphate retention, and hypertension are important predictors of HFpEF.

What is New?

Arterial stiffness is an important predictor for HFpEF. Arterial stiffness is caused by an increase in phosphate retention due to aging and CKD via kidney nephron loss. Arterial stiffness amplifies cardiac afterload leading to LV concentric hypertrophy and LV diastolic dysfunction.

What are the Clinical Implications?

Arterial calcification and/or stiffness should be a new target in cardiovascular diseases. Phosphate is thought to be an important aging accelerating factor. Phosphate regulating medications, phosphate restriction diets, and osteoporosis therapies may all be protective against aging related diseases including HFpEF.
Non-invasive canine electroencephalography (EEG): a systematic review
Authors: Kulgod Akash , van der Linden Dirk , França Lucas G S , Jackson Melody , Zamansky Anna
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The emerging field of canine cognitive neuroscience uses neuroimaging tools such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to map the cognitive processes of dogs to neural substrates in their brain. Within the past decade, the non-invasive use of EEG has provided real-time, accessible, and portable neuroimaging insight into canine cognitive processes. To promote systematization and create an overview of framings, methods and findings for future work, we provide a systematic review of non-invasive canine EEG studies (N=22), dissecting their study makeup, technical setup, and analysis frameworks and highlighting emerging trends. We further propose new directions of development, such as the standardization of data structures and integrating predictive modeling with descriptive statistical approaches. Our review ends by underscoring the advances and advantages of EEG-based canine cognitive neuroscience and the potential for accessible canine neuroimaging to inform both fundamental sciences as well as practical applications for cognitive neuroscience, working dogs, and human-canine interactions.
Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of Navel orange cv. Gannanzao (Citrus sinensisOsbeck cv. Gannanzao)
Authors: Xiong Zhiwei , Yin Hui , Wang Nian , Han Guanzhu , Gao Yuxia
Published: August 2023

Navel orange cv. Gannanzao is a variant of the navel orange cv. Newhall (C. sinensisOsbeck cv. Newhall) that exhibits an earlier maturation, making it commercially valuable. However, the underlying mechanism underneath its early maturation remains unknown. To address this question, we conducted genome sequencing and de novo assembly of navel orange cv. Gannanzao. The assembled genome sequence is 334.57 Mb in length with a GC content of 31.48%. It comprises 318 contigs (N50 = 3.23 Mb) and 187 scaffolds (N50 = 31.86 Mb). The BUSCO test demonstrates 94.6% completeness. The annotation revealed 23,037 gene models, 164.95 Mb of repetitive sequences, and 2,554 ncRNA. Comparative analysis identified 323 fruit ripening-related genes in navel orange cv. Gannanzao genome, while navel orange cv. Newhall genome contained 345 such genes. These genes were organized into 320 orthologous gene families, with 30.3% of them exhibiting differences in gene copy numbers between the two genomes. Additionally, we identified 15 fruit ripening-related genes that have undergone adaptive evolution, suggesting their potential role in advancing fruit maturation in navel orange cv. Gannanzao. Whole genome sequencing and annotation of navel orange cv. Gannanzao provides a valuable resource to unravel the early maturation mechanism of citrus and enriches the genomic resources for citrus research.
Estimating the Total Variance Explained by Whole-Brain Imaging for Zero-inflated Outcomes
Authors: Ren Junting , Loughnan Robert , Xu Bohan , Thompson Wesley K. , Fan Chun Chieh
Published: August 2023

Zero-inflated outcomes are very common in behavioral data, particularly for responses to psychological questionnaires. Modeling these challenging distributions is further exacerbated by the absence of established statistical models capable of characterizing total signals attributed to whole-brain imaging features, making the accurate assessment of brain-behavior relationships particularly formidable. Given this critical need, we have developed a novel variational Bayes algorithm that characterizes the total signal captured by whole-brain imaging features for zero-inflated outcomes . Ourzero-inflated variance(ZIV) estimator robustly estimates the fraction of variance explained (FVE) and the proportion of non-null effects from large-scale imaging data. In simulations, ZIV outperformed other linear prediction algorithms. Applying ZIV to data from one of the largest neuroimaging studies, the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM(ABCD) Study, we found that whole-brain imaging features have a larger FVE for externalizing compared to internalizing behavior. We also demonstrate that the ZIV estimator, especially applied to focal sub-scales, can localize key neurocircuitry associated with human behavior.
Sex Differences in Dopamine Release in Nucleus Accumbens and Dorsal Striatum Determined by Chronic Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry: Effects of social housing and repeated stimulation
Authors: Gonzalez Ivette L. , Turner Christopher A. , Patel Paras R. , Leonardo Noah B. , Luma Brandon D. , Richie Julianna M. , Cai Dawen , Chestek Cynthia A. , Becker Jill B.
Published: August 2023

We investigated sex differences in dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and dorsolateral striatum (DLS) using a chronic 16-channel carbon fiber electrode and fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV). Electrical stimulation (ES; 60Hz) induced DA release was recorded in the NAc of single or pair-housed male and female rats. When core (NAcC) and shell (NAcS) were recorded simultaneously, there was greater ES DA release in NAcC of pair-housed females compared with single females and males. Housing did not affect ES NAc DA release in males. In contrast, there was significantly more ES DA release from the DLS of female rats than male rats. This was true prior to and after treatment with methamphetamine. Furthermore, in castrated (CAST) males and ovariectomized (OVX) females, there were no sex differences in ES DA release from the DLS, demonstrating the hormone dependence of this sex difference. However, in the DLS of both intact and gonadectomized rats, DA reuptake was slower in females than in males. Finally, DA release following ES of the medial forebrain bundle at 60Hz was studied over four weeks. ES DA release increased over time for both CAST males and OVX females, demonstrating sensitization. Using this novel 16-channel chronic FSCV electrode, we found sex differences in the effects of social housing in the NAcS, sex differences in DA release from intact rats in DLS, sex differences in DA reuptake in DLS of intake and gonadectomized rats, and we report sensitization of ES-induced DA release in DLSin vivo.

Significance Statement

Dopamine release is not uniform or fixed. In the nucleus accumbens, pair housing, compared with individual housing, is shown to differentially affect dopamine responsiveness to stimulation in a sex-dependent and region-specific way. There are also sex differences in stimulated dopamine release in the dorsolateral striatum of intact rats, which are not seen in gonadectomized rats, indicating the hormone dependence of this sex difference. However, reuptake of dopamine was slower in females than in males, independent of gonadal hormones. Importantly, the electrical stimulation-induced dopamine release in the dorsolateral striatum of gonadectomized rats demonstrated sensitization of dopamine releasein vivowithin animals for the first time. Thus, stimulated dopamine release exhibits sex-specific neuroplasticity that is modified in females by the housing conditions.
Shining Light on Osteoarthritis: Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy as a Window into Cartilage Health
Authors: Raj Piyush , Wu Lintong , Almeida Craig , Conway Lauren , Tanwar Swati , Middendorf Jill , Barman Ishan
Published: August 2023

Articular cartilage is a complex tissue, and early detection of osteoarthritis (OA) is crucial for effective treatment. However, current imaging modalities lack molecular specificity and primarily detect late-stage changes. In this study, we propose the use of Spatially Offset Raman Spectroscopy (SORS) for non-invasive, depth-dependent, and molecular-specific diagnostics of articular cartilage. We demonstrate the potential of SORS to penetrate deep layers of cartilage, providing a comprehensive understanding of disease progression. Our SORS measurements were characterized and validated through mechanical and histological techniques, revealing strong correlations between spectroscopic measurements and both Young’s modulus and depth of cartilage damage. By longitudinally monitoring enzymatically degraded condyles, we further developed a depth-dependent damage-tracking method. Our analysis revealed distinct components related to sample depth and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) changes, offering a comprehensive picture of cartilage health. Collectively, these findings highlight the potential of SORS as a valuable tool for enhancing OA management and improving patient outcomes.
Prevalence and determinants of cervicovaginal, oral, and anal HPV infection in a population of transgender and gender diverse people assigned female at birth
Authors: McIntosh Ryan D. , Andrus Emily C. , Walline Heather M. , Sandler Claire B. , Goudsmit Christine M. , Moravek Molly B. , Stroumsa Daphna , Kattari Shanna K. , Brouwer Andrew F.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

HPV causes oral, cervicovaginal, and anogenital cancer, and cervical cancer screening options include HPV testing of a physician-collected sample. Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people assigned female at birth (AFAB) face discrimination and stigma in many healthcare settings; are believed to be a lower risk for cervical cancer by many physicians; are less likely to be up to date on preventive health care services such as pelvic health exams; and are more likely to have inadequate results from screening tests. Self-sampling options may increase access and participation in HPV testing and cancer screening.

Methods

We recruited 137 TGD individuals AFAB for an observational study, mailing them a kit to self-collect cervicovaginal, oral, and anal samples at home. We tested samples for HPV genotypes 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66, 68, 73 and 90 using a PCR mass array test.

Results

102 participants completed the study. Among those with valid tests, 8.8% were positive for oral HPV, 30.5% were positive for cervicovaginal HPV, and 39.6% were positive for anal HPV. A large fraction of anal (50.0%) and oral (71.4%) infections were concordant with a cervicovaginal infection of the same type.

Conclusions

HPV infection in TGD people AFAB may be just as high, if not higher, than in cisgender women. It is essential that we reduce barriers to cancer screening for TGD populations, such as through the development of a clinically approved self-screening HPV test.