bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surgical versus conservative treatment for odontoid fractures in older people: an international prospective comparative study
Authors: Huybregts Jeroen G J , Polak Samuel B , Jacobs Wilco C , Arts Mark P , Meyer Bernhard , Wostrack Maria , Butenschön Vicki M , Osti Michael , Öner F Cumhur , Slooff Willem-Bart M , Feller Ricardo E , Bouma Gert-Joan , Harhangi Biswadjiet S , Depreitere Bart , Nygaard Øystein P , Weber Clemens , Müller Kay , Timothy Jake , Pellisé Ferran , Rasmussen Mikkel M , van Zwet Erik W , Steyerberg Ewout W , Peul Wilco C , Vleggeert-Lankamp Carmen L A
Published: August 2024

Background

The optimal treatment for odontoid fractures in older people remains debated. Odontoid fractures are increasingly relevant to clinical practice due to ageing of the population.

Methods

An international prospective comparative study was conducted in fifteen European centres, involving patients aged ≥55 years with type II/III odontoid fractures. The surgeon and patient jointly decided on the applied treatment. Surgical and conservative treatments were compared. Primary outcomes were Neck Disability Index (NDI) improvement, fracture union and stability at 52 weeks. Secondary outcomes were Visual Analogue Scale neck pain, Likert patient-perceived recovery and EuroQol-5D-3L at 52 weeks. Subgroup analyses considered age, type II and displaced fractures. Multivariable regression analyses adjusted for age, gender and fracture characteristics.

Results

The study included 276 patients, of which 144 (52%) were treated surgically and 132 (48%) conservatively (mean (SD) age 77.3 (9.1) vs. 76.6 (9.7), P = 0.56). NDI improvement was largely similar between surgical and conservative treatments (mean (SE) −11 (2.4) vs. −14 (1.8), P = 0.08), as were union (86% vs. 78%, aOR 2.3, 95% CI 0.97–5.7) and stability (99% vs. 98%, aOR NA). NDI improvement did not differ between patients with union and persistent non-union (mean (SE) −13 (2.0) vs. −12 (2.8), P = 0.78). There was no difference for any of the secondary outcomes or subgroups.

Conclusions

Clinical outcome and fracture healing at 52 weeks were similar between treatments. Clinical outcome and fracture union were not associated. Treatments should prioritize favourable clinical over radiological outcomes.
Rare germline genetic variation in PAX8 transcription factor binding sites and susceptibility to epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Ezquina Suzana A M , Jones Michelle , Dicks Ed , de Vries Amber , Peng Pei-Chen , Lawrenson Kate , Corona Rosario I , Tyrer Jonathan , Hazelett Dennis , Brenton James , Antoniou Antonis , Gayther Simon A , Pharoah Paul D P
Published: August 2024

Common genetic variation throughout the genome together with rare coding variants identified to date explain about a half of the inherited genetic component of epithelial ovarian cancer risk. It is likely that rare variation in the non-coding genome will explain some of the unexplained heritability, but identifying such variants is challenging. The primary problem is lack of statistical power to identifying individual risk variants by association as power is a function of sample size, effect size and allele frequency. Power can be increased by using burden tests which test for association of carriers of any variant in a specified genomic region. This has the effect of increasing the putative effect allele frequency. PAX8 is a transcription factor that plays a critical role in tumour progression, migration and invasion. Furthermore, regulatory elements proximal to target genes of PAX8 are enriched for common ovarian cancer risk variants. We hypothesised that rare variation in PAX8 binding sites are also associated with ovarian cancer risk, but unlikely to be associated with risk of breast, colorectal or endometrial cancer. We have used publicly available, whole-genome sequencing data from the UK 100,000 Genomes Project to evaluate the burden of rare variation in PAX8 binding sites across the genome. Data were available for 522 ovarian cancers, 2,984 breast cancers, 2,696 colorectal cancers, 836 endometrial cancers and 2253 non-cancer controls. Active binding sites were defined using data from multiple PAX8 and H3K27 ChIPseq experiments. We found no association between the burden of rare variation in PAX8 binding sites (defined in several ways) and risk of ovarian, breast or endometrial cancer. An apparent association with colorectal cancer was likely to be a technical artefact as a similar association was also detected for rare variation in random regions of the genome. Despite the null result this study provides a proof-of -principle for using burden testing to identify rare, non-coding germline genetic variation associated with disease. Larger sample sizes available from large-scale sequencing projects together with improved understanding of the function of the non-coding genome will increase the potential of similar studies in the future.
Contrasting methods to operationalize antibiotic exposure in clinical research: a real-world application on health care–associated Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Webster Jessica L , Eppes Stephen , Lee Brian K , Harrington Nicole S , Goldstein Neal D
Published: August 2024

The goal of this article is to summarize common methods of antibiotic operationalization used in clinical research and demonstrate methods for exposure variable selection. We demonstrate 3 methods for modeling exposure, using data from a case–control study on Clostridioides difficile infection in hospitalized patients: (1) factor analysis, (2) logistic regression models, and 3) least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. The factor analysis identified 8 variables contributing the most variation in the data set: any antibiotic exposure; number of antibiotic classes; number of antibiotic courses; dose; and specific classes monobactam, β-lactam–β-lactamase inhibitors, rifamycin, and cephalosporin. The logistic regression models resulting in the best model fit used predictors representing any antibiotic exposure and the proportion of a patient’s hospitalization that they were receiving antibiotics. The LASSO model selected 22 variables for inclusion in the predictive model, of which 10 were antibiotic exposure variables, including any antibiotic exposure; classes β-lactam–β-lactamase inhibitors, carbapenem, cephalosporin, fluoroquinolone, monobactam, rifamycin, sulfonamides, and miscellaneous; and proportion of hospitalization that antibiotic treatment was administered. Investigators studying antibiotic use should consider multiple characteristics of exposure informed by their research question and the theory on how antibiotics may affect the distribution of the outcome in their target population.
Adjusting mobile phone data to account for children’s travel and the impact on measles dynamics in Zambia
Authors: Kostandova Natalya , Prosperi Christine , Mutembo Simon , Nakazwe Chola , Namukoko Harriet , Nachinga Bertha , Chongwe Gershom , Chilumba Innocent , Kabalo Elliot N , Makungo Kabondo , Matakala Kalumbu H , Musukwa Gloria , Hamahuwa Mutinta , Mufwambi Webster , Matoba Japhet , Mutale Irene , Simulundu Edgar , Ndubani Phillimon , Hasan Alvira Z , Truelove Shaun A , Winter Amy K , Carcelen Andrea C , Lau Bryan , Moss William J , Wesolowski Amy
Published: August 2024

Models of measles transmission can be used to identify areas of high risk to tailor immunization strategies. Estimates of spatial connectivity can be derived from data such as mobile phone records, however it is not clear how this maps to the movement of children who are more likely to be infected. Using travel surveys across two districts in Zambia and national mobile phone data, we compared estimates of out-of-district travel for the population captured in the mobile phone data and child-specific travel from travel surveys. We then evaluated the impact of unadjusted and adjusted connectivity measures on simulated measles virus introduction events across Zambia. The number of trips made by children from the travel survey was three to five times lower than the general population estimates from mobile phone data. This decreased the percentage of districts with measles virus introduction events from 78% when using unadjusted data to 51% - 64% following adjustment. Failure to account for age-specific heterogeneities in travel estimated from mobile phone data resulted in overestimating subnational areas at high risk of introduction events, which could divert mitigation efforts to districts that are at lower risk.
From policy to practice: assessing the state innovation models initiative’s early success in incorporating social determinants of health in ASCVD hospitalizations in the United States
Authors: Parekh Tarang , Xue Hong , Wadhera Rishi K , Cheskin Lawrence J , Cuellar Alison E
Published: August 2024

The study examines effects of the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services State Innovation Models (SIM) on capturing social risk factors in adults hospitalized with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Using a difference-in-differences (DID) approach with propensity score weights, the study compared documentation of secondary diagnosis of social determinants of health (SDOH)/social factors using ICD-9 V codes (“SDOH codes”) in adults hospitalized with ASCVD as a primary diagnosis (n = 1 485 354). Data were gathered from January 1, 2010, to September 30, 2015, covering the period before and after the SIM implementation in October 2013. From January 2010 to September 2015, SDOH codes were infrequently utilized among adults with ASCVD (0.55%; 95% CI, 0.43%-0.67%). The SDOH codes with ASCVD increased from pre- to postperiod in SIM states (0.56%-0.93%) and comparison states (0.46%-0.56%). State Innovation Models implementation was associated with greater improvement in SDOH codes utilization (adjusted OR 1.30; 95% CI, 1.18-1.43) during ASCVD hospitalizations. The odds of SDOH codes utilization were 86% higher in emergency department admissions (AOR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.76-1.97) than in routine admissions with ASCVD. Findings were similar when limiting population to older adults (≥65 years) enrolled in Medicare (AOR 1.50; 95% CI, 1.31-1.71), whereas not significant for Medicaid beneficiaries. The study points to challenges for healthcare providers in documenting SDOH in adults with ASCVD.
Disentangling the Inverse LDL-C-hemorrhagic Stroke Association in Chinese Adults with Hypertension: Findings from the Chinese Multi-Provincial Cohort Study
Authors: Yang Zhao , Qi Yue , Sun Jiayi , Liu Jun , Wang Miao , Deng Qiujv , Hao Yongchen , Yang Na , Ji Zhili , Zhou Xiao-Hua , Liu Jing
Published: August 2024

Why lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was associated with a decreased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk but an increased hemorrhagic stroke (HS) risk in hypertensive adults remains unclear. We examined whether the inverse LDL-C-HS association partly arises from its effect on ASCVD. We estimated separable effects of LDL-C on HS outside (i.e., separable direct effect) or only through its effect on ASCVD (i.e., separable indirect effect) in hypertensive adults from the Chinese Multi-provincial Cohort Study. We quantified such effects using numbers needed to treat (NNT) to prevent or cause an extra HS based on the restricted mean event-free time till a 25-year follow-up. LDL-C $<$ 70 mg/dL was not associated with an increased HS risk compared to LDL-C $\ge$ 70 mg/dL regarding total and separable direct effects. However, a small separable indirect effect (i.e., NNT to harm: 9722 participants) was noted and validated via a series of sensitivity analyses. Moreover, modified effects were observed, particularly in the 35-49-year age group, men, and those with SBP $\ge$ 140 mm Hg. These results suggest the inverse LDL-C-HS association in hypertensive adults is partly due to its effect on ASCVD. A better understanding of such associations would provide more enlightening into stroke prevention.
Emulating Randomized Trials by Observational Database Studies: The RCT-DUPLICATE Initiative in COPD and Asthma
Authors: Suissa Samy , Schneeweiss Sebastian , Feldman William B , Tesfaye Helen , Wang Shirley
Published: August 2024

Observational studies are increasingly used to provide real-world evidence in regulatory decision-making. The RCT-DUPLICATE initiative conducted observational studies emulating two trials in patients with asthma and three in COPD. For each trial, new-user cohorts were constructed from two US healthcare claims databases, comparing initiators of the study and comparator drugs, matched on propensity scores. Proportional hazards models were used to compare the treatments on study outcomes. The observational studies involved more subjects than the corresponding trials, with treatment arms well-matched on baseline characteristics. An asthma example involved emulation of the 26-week FDA-mandated D5896 trial. With 6,494 asthma patients per arm, the hazard ratio (HR) of a serious asthma-related event with budesonide-formoterol versus budesonide was 1.29 (95% CI: 0.63-2.65), compared with 1.07 (95% CI: 0.70-1.65) in the trial. A COPD example is the emulation of the one-year IMPACT trial. With 4,365 COPD patients per arm, the HR of a COPD exacerbation with triple therapy versus dual bronchodilators was 1.08 (95% CI: 1.00-1.17), compared with 0.84 (95% CI: 0.78-0.91) in the trial. We found mainly discordant results between observational analyses and randomized trials, likely from the forced discontinuation of treatments prior to randomization in the trials, not mimicable in the observational analyses.
How many species are there? Lineage diversification and hidden speciation in Solanaceae from highland grasslands in southern South America
Authors: Soares Luana S , Bombarely Aureliano , Freitas Loreta B
Published: August 2024

Background and Aims

Species delimitation can be challenging when analysing recently diverged species, especially those taxonomically synonymized owing to morphological similarities. We aimed to untangle the relationships between two grassland species, Petunia guarapuavensis and Petunia scheideana, exploring the dynamics of fast divergence and addressing their species delimitation.

Methods

We used a low-coverage genome sequencing and population genomic approach to distinguish species and populations between P. guarapuavensis and P. scheideana. Our analysis focused on detecting structuration, hybridization/introgression and phylogenetic patterns. We used demographic models to support species delimitation while exploring potential phylogeographical barriers influencing gene flow.

Key Results

Our findings indicated differentiation between the two species and revealed another lineage, which was phylogenetically distinct from the others and had no evidence of gene flow with them. The presence of a river acted as a phylogeographical barrier, limiting gene flow and allowing for structuration between closely related lineages. The optimal species delimitation scenario involved secondary contact between well-established lineages.

Conclusions

The rapid divergence observed in these Petunia species explains the lack of significant morphological differences, because floral diagnostic traits in species sharing pollinators tend to evolve more slowly. This study highlights the complexity of species delimitation in recently diverged groups and emphasizes the importance of genomic approaches in understanding evolutionary relationships and speciation dynamics.
Overlapping peri-implantation phenotypes of ZNHIT1 and ZNHIT2 despite distinct functions during early mouse development
Authors: He Xinjian Doris , Taylor Louis F , Miao Xiaosu , Shi Yingchao , Lin Xinhua , Yang Zhongzhou , Liu Xin , Miao Yi-Liang , Alfandari Dominique , Cui Wei , Tremblay Kimberly D , Mager Jesse
Published: August 2024

Mammalian preimplantation development culminates in the formation of a blastocyst that undergoes extensive gene expression regulation to successfully implant into the maternal endometrium. Zinc-finger HIT domain-containing (ZNHIT) 1 and 2 are members of a highly conserved family, yet they have been identified as subunits of distinct complexes. Here, we report that knockout of either Znhit1 or Znhit2 results in embryonic lethality during peri-implantation stages. Znhit1 and Znhit2 mutant embryos have overlapping phenotypes, including reduced proportion of SOX2-positive inner cell mass cells, a lack of Fgf4 expression, and aberrant expression of NANOG and SOX17. Furthermore, we find that the similar phenotypes are caused by distinct mechanisms. Specifically, embryos lacking ZNHIT1 likely fail to incorporate sufficient H2A.Z at the promoter region of Fgf4 and other genes involved in cell projection organization resulting in impaired invasion of trophoblast cells during implantation. In contrast, Znhit2 mutant embryos display a complete lack of nuclear EFTUD2, a key component of U5 spliceosome, indicating a global splicing deficiency. Our findings unveil the indispensable yet distinct roles of ZNHIT1 and ZNHIT2 in early mammalian embryonic development.
Fish habitat models for a future of novel riverscapes
Authors: Hansen Henry H , Comoglio Claudio , Elings Jelger , Ericsson Philip , Goethals Peter , Gosselin Marie-Pierre , Hölker Franz , Katopodis Christos , Kemp Paul , Lind Lovisa , Mawer Rachel , Mozzi Gloria , Nestler John M , Piccolo John , Radinger Johannes , Schneider Matthias , Stoilova Velizara , Wegscheider Bernhard , Bergman Eva
Published: August 2024

Multiple anthropogenic forces have pushed river ecosystems into undesirable states with no clear understanding of how they should be best managed. The advancement of riverine fish habitat models intended to provide management insights has slowed. Investigations into theoretical and empirical gaps to define habitat more comprehensively across different scales and ecological organizations are crucial in managing the freshwater biodiversity crisis. We introduce the concept of novel riverscapes to reconcile anthropogenic forcing, fish habitat, limitations of current fish habitat models, and opportunities for new models. We outline three priority data-driven opportunities that incorporate the novel riverscape concept: fish movement, river behavior, and drivers of novelty that all are integrated into a scale-based framework to guide the development of new models. Last, we present a case study showing how researchers, model developers, and practitioners can work collaboratively to implement the novel riverscape concept.
Selling sunbeds
Authors: Long Amy , Long Alison , Eustace Karen
Published: August 2024

The sale of sunbeds from private sellers on online marketplaces in Ireland is a concern. This phenomenon intersects significantly with Ireland’s stringent legislation surrounding sunbed usage. We discuss the challenges of enforcing public health regulations in the digital age.
Both mOTS-words and pOTS-words prefer emoji stimuli over text stimuli during a lexical judgment task
Authors: Dalski Alexia , Kular Holly , Jorgensen Julia G , Grill-Spector Kalanit , Grotheer Mareike
Published: August 2024

The visual word form area in the occipitotemporal sulcus (here OTS-words) is crucial for reading and shows a preference for text stimuli. We hypothesized that this text preference may be driven by lexical processing. Hence, we performed three fMRI experiments (n = 15), systematically varying participants’ task and stimulus, and separately evaluated middle mOTS-words and posterior pOTS-words. Experiment 1 contrasted text with other visual stimuli to identify both OTS-words subregions. Experiment 2 utilized an fMRI adaptation paradigm, presenting compound words as texts or emojis. In experiment 3, participants performed a lexical or color judgment task on compound words in text or emoji format. In experiment 2, pOTS-words, but not mOTS-words, showed fMRI adaptation for compound words in both formats. In experiment 3, both subregions showed higher responses to compound words in emoji format. Moreover, mOTS-words showed higher responses during the lexical judgment task and a task–stimulus interaction. Multivariate analyses revealed that distributed responses in pOTS-words encode stimulus and distributed responses in mOTS-words encode stimulus and task. Together, our findings suggest that the function of the OTS-words subregions goes beyond the specific visual processing of text and that these regions are flexibly recruited whenever semantic meaning needs to be assigned to visual input.
Comprehensive review of indicators and techniques for optical mapping of intracellular calcium ions
Authors: Sheng Chu-Qiao , Wu Shuang-Shuang , Cheng Yong-Kang , Wu Yao , Li Yu-Mei
Published: August 2024

Calcium ions (Ca2+) play crucial roles in almost every cellular process, making the detection of changes in intracellular Ca2+ essential to understanding cell function. The fluorescence indicator method has garnered widespread application due to its exceptional sensitivity, rapid analysis, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly nature. It has successfully delineated the spatial and temporal dynamics of Ca2+ signaling across diverse cell types. However, it is vital to understand that different indicators have varying levels of accuracy, sensitivity, and stability, making choosing the right inspection method crucial. As optical detection technologies advance, they continually broaden the horizons of scientific inquiry. This primer offers a systematic synthesis of the current fluorescence indicators and optical imaging modalities utilized for the detection of intracellular Ca2+. It elucidates their practical applications and inherent limitations, serving as an essential reference for researchers seeking to identify the most suitable detection methodologies for their calcium-centric investigations.
Insulin receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells regulate plaque stability of atherosclerosis
Authors: Li Qian , Fu Jialin , Park Kyoungmin , Shah Hetal , Li Qin , Wu I Hsien , King George L
Published: August 2024

Aims

Increased prevalence of acute myocardial infarction related to diabetes and insulin resistance is associated with an elevated risk of unstable atherosclerotic plaques, which are characterized by reduced vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM) and increased inflammation. Thus, insulin resistance may reduce plaque stability, as deleting insulin receptors (IRs) in VSMCs decreases their proliferation and enhances apoptosis.

Methods and results

Direct effects of insulin on VSMCs to alter plaque composition were studied using mice with double knockout of ApoE and IR genes in VSMCs with SMIRKO/ApoE−/−, Myh11-CreERT2EYFP+/ApoE−/−, and Myh11-CreERT2EYFP+IRKO/ApoE−/− mice, which were also used for lineage tracing studies. Compared with ApoE−/− mice, SMIRKO/ApoE−/− mice exhibited more atherosclerotic plaques, which contained less VSMCs and collagen but increased levels of VSMC apoptosis and necrotic areas. Lineage tracing studies showed that Icam1+ Vcam1+ VSMC was inflammatory, which increased in the aortas of Myh11-CreERT2EYFP+IRKO/ApoE−/− mice compared with control mice. Isolated VSMCs lacking IRs expressed higher inflammatory cytokines than cells with IRs. Cell-based studies indicated that insulin’s anti-apoptotic and pro-proliferative effects in VSMCs were mediated via activation of the IR/Akt pathway, which were decreased in VSMCs from SMIRKO or high-fat diet mice. An analysis of the IR targets that regulated inflammatory cytokines in VSMCs showed that thrombospondin 1 (Thbs1) and Mmp2 were consistently increased with a loss of IRs. Insulin inhibited Thbs1 expression, but not Mmp2 expression, through p-Akt/p-FoxO1 pathways in VSMCs from ApoE−/− mice, and was impaired in cells from SMIRKO/ApoE−/− mice. Thbs1 further induced Icam1 and Mmp2 expressions in VSMCs.

Conclusion

Insulin via IRs has significant actions in VSMCs to decrease inflammation, apoptosis, and ECM turnover via the activation of Akt and FoxO1 pathways. The inhibition of insulin actions and related pathways related to insulin resistance and diabetes may contribute to the formation of unstable atherosclerotic plaques.
School composition and academic decisions
Authors: Rosenqvist Erik , Brandén Maria
Published: August 2024

Research on the effects of school composition tends to focus on how it shapes school achievement. In this study, we instead examine how school composition shapes children’s educational aspirations, given their achievement, and if children from different socio-economic backgrounds are affected differently. We apply school-fixed effects on Swedish register data, including all 9th-grade students from 2013 to 2017. Being exposed to a high share of low-achieving schoolmates increases the likelihood of applying for academics instead of vocational tracking across socio-economic backgrounds. In contrast, the share of high-achieving schoolmates is negatively associated with academic tracking only for high-SES children. Being exposed to peers with highly educated parents increases the likelihood of applying for academic tracking for low-SES children, whereas the effect is weaker or even negative for some of the high-SES groups. Together, our results suggest that the academic decisions of both high- and low-SES children could benefit from a less segregated school environment.
Go west, young bunting: recent climate change drives rapid movement of a Great Plains hybrid zone
Authors: Dougherty Paul J , Carling Matthew D
Published: August 2024

Describing how hybrid zones respond to anthropogenic influence can illuminate how the environment regulates both species distributions and reproductive isolation between species. In this study, we analyzed specimens collected from the Passerina cyanea×P. amoena hybrid zone between 2004 and 2007 and between 2019 and 2021 to explore changes in genetic structure over time. This comparison follows a previous study that identified a significant westward shift of the Passerina hybrid zone during the latter half of the twentieth century. A second temporal comparison of hybrid zone genetic structure presents unique potential to describe finer-scale dynamics and to identify potential mechanisms of observed changes more accurately. After concluding that the westward movement of the Passerina hybrid zone has accelerated in recent decades, we investigated potential drivers of this trend by modeling the influence of bioclimatic and landcover variables on genetic structure. We also incorporated eBird data to determine how the distributions of P. cyanea and P. amoena have responded to recent climate and landcover changes. We found that the distribution of P. cyanea in the northern Great Plains has shifted west to track a moving climatic niche, supporting anthropogenic climate change as a key mediator of introgression in this system.
Looking Back on Career, Looking Forward to Retirement: Antecedents of Subjective Career Evaluations and Their Impact on Retirement Adjustment
Authors: Tunney Orlaith , Henkens Kène , van Solinge Hanna
Published: August 2024

Objectives

An individual’s past, and reflections on it, may influence current and future well-being. Recent qualitative studies suggest retirees’ recollections about their careers relate to well-being in retirement. We investigated associations between life course events and subjective career evaluations, gender differences in these associations, and their subsequent association with retirement adjustment.

Methods

We used data from 3 waves (2015, 2018, and 2023) of the NIDI Pension Panel Study (NPPS), a longitudinal survey of Dutch older workers. Using a sample of 6,109 respondents, we used ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models to investigate associations between employment stability facilitators and inhibitors (e.g., promotion, demotion, unemployment) and personal shocks (e.g., divorce, widowhood) and subjective evaluations of satisfaction with the work and family domains of career between genders. Using a follow-up sample (N = 4,106), we employed ordinal logistic regression models to investigate the impact of these baseline subjective evaluations on retirement adjustment at follow-up.

Results

Employment stability factors such as demotion and unemployment, and personal shocks such as poor psychological health were associated with subjective evaluations of the work and family career domains. Gender differences in these associations were found. Evaluations in both the work and family domains were associated with retirement adjustment at follow-up.

Discussion

Our results demonstrate the importance of life course events on older workers’ evaluations of their careers and the long-term impact of subjective career evaluations. Further research is needed to evaluate the predictive utility of these evaluations for other outcomes in older adulthood.
The crustal and upper-mantle structure beneath NW Iran: an integrated analysis of surface waves and gravity data
Authors: Shirzad Taghi , VahidRavesh Shaghayegh , Mortezanejad Gholamreza , Abdollahi Somayeh , Kakhki Mohsen Kazemnia , Naghavi Mojtaba , Rahimi Habib , Hatami Mohammad Reza
Published: August 2024

Understanding the crustal seismic characteristics of tectonically active regions is crucial for seismic hazard assessment. The study conducted in NW Iran utilized surface wave tomography, radial anisotropy and density information to analyse the complex crustal structure of the region, which is outstanding because of diverse tectonic features, sedimentary basins and volcanic formations. By selecting a data set of 1243 events out of over 3500 earthquakes with M > 4, and employing strict data selection criteria (such as SNR, M and Δ), the researchers calculated Rayleigh and Love wave group velocity dispersion curves using Gaussian multiple filters and phase-matched filtering. The tomographic procedure was initiated by excluding data with residuals > 2σ for enhanced stability. Individual inversions were then carried out for local Rayleigh and Love wave dispersion measurements to obtain 1-D VSV and VSH models. Radial anisotropy and VSiso were determined through a discrepancy and averaging of the obtained VSH and VSV, respectively. Gravity modelling was also employed alongside surface wave analysis to understand the region's complex geology, revealing insights into upper-middle-lower crust boundaries, subsurface structures and Moho depths. The study's velocity maps reveal significant findings related to geological units and tectonic features in various regions based on the provided results. Low velocities in the South Caspian Basin (SCB) and Kura Depression (KD) regions are attributed to substantial sedimentary layers, while low velocities, and depth of VS in NW Iran and Eastern Anatolian Accretionary Complex (EAAC) regions suggest the presence of partially molten materials in the upper and middle crust. The Sanandaj–Sirjan Zone (SSZ) region shows a low-velocity anomaly in longer periods and greater depths of VS, surrounded by normal to high velocities, indicating a thick middle crust. Analysing radial anisotropy and VSiso profiles offers insights into upper-middle-lower crust boundaries, subsurface structures and Moho depths, highlighting middle crust thickening and lower crust thinning beneath the SSZ. The study confirms the gentle subduction of the SCB oceanic-like lower crust beneath NW Iran in the Talesh (TAL) region, with a rigid middle crust. Additionally, cross-sections reveal igneous laccoliths underplate with a VSiso of 3.7 km s−1 in the volcanic region. The difference observed by subtracting the velocity models at two adjacent depths, combined with parametric test results, indicates that the Sahand volcanic system is clearly identifiable, while the influence of subtle subduction on the Sabalan volcano at depths up to 30 km remains less distinct. The magma chamber beneath Sahand is situated at depths ranging from 18 to 25 km.
Tackling Labour Monopsony by Gig Platforms: The Anti-Monopoly Law as an Alternative Legal Approach to the Labour Law System in China
Authors: Zhao Zeyu , Luo Huanxin
Published: August 2024

In the gig economy, workers could be subject to exploitative and coercive practices by platforms and their stringent labour algorithms. Since gig workers are not defined as typical employees, the Chinese labour law system fails to adequately protect gig workers. Furthermore, the limited scope of labour law protection is also another reason for the ineffectiveness of the Chinese labour law system. Even if gig workers can be identified as employees, the regulation of labour algorithms is uncovered by the existing labour laws. Additionally, collective bargaining rights of gig workers may help but as explained in Section 4, they are still immature and collective barging practices are likely to violate the Chinese Anti-Monopoly Law. This article claims that the enforcement of the Anti-Monopoly Law can be an alternative approach to protecting gig workers as the gig platforms may constitute a labour monopsony. Therefore, anti-trust enforcement can step in and punish exploitative and coercive practices harming gig workers. However, there are limitations of the Anti-Monopoly Law in dealing with these practices and thereby the advantages of the Chinese labour law system regarding the protection of gig workers should still be taken seriously.
CDC-Funded HIV Testing Services Outcomes in Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) and Non-EHE Jurisdictions, 2021
Authors: Patel Deesha , Mulatu Mesfin S , Wang Guoshen , May Alicia C , Moore Andrea , Rao Shubha
Published: August 2024

Background

“Ending the HIV Epidemic in the US” (EHE) focuses on 57 jurisdictions most affected by HIV.

Methods

Using 2021 data from the National HIV Prevention Program Monitoring and Evaluation system, we calculated distributions of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–funded HIV tests and HIV testing services outcomes in EHE and non-EHE jurisdictions. We conducted χ2 tests and robust Poisson regression to compare differences in outcomes.

Results

Of the 1 753 873 tests, a greater proportion was conducted in EHE (65.7%) vs non-EHE (34.3%) jurisdictions (P < .001). A greater number of persons newly diagnosed were in EHE (n = 5861) vs non-EHE (n = 2329) jurisdictions; newly diagnosed positivity was also higher in EHE (0.5%) vs non-EHE (0.4%) jurisdictions (prevalence ratio [PR], 1.31; 95% CI, 1.25–1.38). Among persons newly diagnosed, there were no differences in linkage to care within 30 days in EHE (77.9%) vs non-EHE (77.1%) jurisdictions (PR, 1.01; 95% CI, .95–1.07). The proportion of persons newly diagnosed interviewed for partner services was lower in EHE (69.0%) vs non-EHE (84.8%) jurisdictions (PR, 0.81; 95% CI, .76–.87).

Conclusions

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–funded HIV testing services in EHE jurisdictions conducted more HIV testing and diagnosed more persons. Jurisdictions can further expand HIV testing and related services to continue striving toward EHE goals.
Effects of added 25(OH)D3 with varying standardized total tract digestible phosphorus concentrations on nursery pig performance, bone characteristics, and serum vitamin D status
Authors: Becker Larissa L , Gebhardt Jordan T , Tokach Mike D , Woodworth Jason C , Goodband Robert D , DeRouchey Joel M , Bergstrom Jon R , Siepker Christopher L
Published: August 2024

A total of 360 pigs (DNA 600 × 241; initially 5.8 kg) were used in a 45-d growth study to evaluate the effects of adding 25(OH)D3 with 3 levels of standardized total tract digestible (STTD) P on nursery pig growth performance, bone and urine characteristics, and serum vitamin D. Pigs were weaned at 19 d of age and randomly allotted to 1 of 6 dietary treatments with 5 pigs per pen and 12 replications per treatment. Dietary treatments were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of 25(OH)D3 (0 or 50 µg/kg equivalent to 2,000 IU/kg of vitamin D3; Hy-D, dsm-firmenich, Plainsboro, NJ) and STTD P (70%, 100%, or 130% of the NRC [NRC 2012. Nutrient requirements of swine. 11th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC) requirement estimate on a dietary percentage basis]. All diets contained 1,653 IU/kg of vitamin D3. On day 45, 1 pig per pen was euthanized to collect the right fibula, metacarpal, and 2nd and 10th ribs. Overall, increasing STTD P increased (quadratic, P ≤ 0.003) ADG, ADFI, and G:F with minimal improvement above 100% of the NRC STTD P requirement estimate. Added 25(OH)D3 had no effect on growth performance. Increasing STTD P decreased urinary Ca concentration (linear, P < 0.001) and increased urinary P concentration (quadratic, P < 0.001). When pigs were fed added 25(OH)D3, serum 25(OH)D3 increased (quadratic, P = 0.005) as STTD P increased but no differences were observed when 25(OH)D3 was not added and STTD P increased (25(OH)D3 × STTD P interaction, P = 0.032). When pigs were fed 25(OH)D3, serum 1,25(OH)2D3 increased (quadratic, P < 0.001) as STTD P decreased but the increase was not significant when no 25(OH)D3 was fed (STTD P × 25(OH)D3 interaction, P = 0.002). Bone ash percentage and weight increased (quadratic, P ≤ 0.065) in all bones as STTD P increased. Added 25(OH)D3 had no effect on bone density or bone ash weight; however, the reduction in bone ash percentage observed with reducing STTD P level tended to be less when 25(OH)D3 was provided (linear interaction, P = 0.098). Increasing STTD P decreased the likelihood of abnormal histologic bone lesions in the 10th rib. In summary, added 25(OH)D3 had limited effect on growth performance; however, an increase in serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 was observed. The addition of 25(OH)D3 to P-deficient diets increased percentage bone ash. Increasing STTD P to 100% of NRC [NRC 2012. Nutrient requirements of swine. 11th rev. ed. Natl. Acad. Press, Washington, DC] requirement estimate increased growth and 130% of NRC maximized bone ash.
Phylogeny, biogeography, and host range of gall midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) feeding on spores of rust fungi (Basidiomycota: Pucciniales)
Authors: Gómez-Zapata Paula Andrea , Johnson Melissa A , Bonacci Teresa , Aime M Catherine
Published: August 2024

Rust fungi (Pucciniales) are plant pathogens that can cause devastating yield losses to economically important crops and threaten native plants with extinction. Rusts are usually controlled with fungicides when rust-resistant plant varieties are unavailable. However, natural enemies may offer an alternative to chemicals by acting as biological controls. The larvae of Mycodiplosis Rübsaamen (49 spp.) feed on the spores of rusts and powdery mildew fungi and have been suggested as a potential biocontrol candidate for disease-causing rusts. However, little is known about the phylogenetic relationships, biogeography, and host range of this genus. We screened 5,665 rust specimens from fungarium specimens and field collections and recovered a total of 363 larvae on 315 rust specimens from 17 countries. Three mitochondrial and 2 nuclear loci were amplified and sequenced for the phylogenetic reconstruction of 129 individuals. We recovered 12 clades, of which 12 and 10 were supported with maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, respectively. Of the 12 clades, 7 comprised species from multiple continents and climatic regions, and 5 comprised species from a single region. Individuals forming clades were collected from 2 to 18 rust species, suggesting that Mycodiplosis species have a broad host range. In total, Mycodiplosis larvae were identified on 44 different rust species collected from 18 plant families. Future studies should focus on expanding field sampling efforts, including data from additional gene regions, and incorporating morphological data to further elucidate species diversity and distribution patterns.
Opioid prescription status around surgery, bone metastasis, or death events among patients with breast cancer in Japan: an analysis of the Japanese public health insurance comprehensive claims database (the National Database)
Authors: Yoshida Manami , Miyashita Mitsunori , Saeki Toshiaki , Hiroi Shinzo , Morioka Yasuhide , Iwasaki Kosuke , Shimizu Eiko
Published: August 2024

Objective

To investigate the opioid prescription status around clinical events among patients with breast cancer in Japan using a comprehensive claims database.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Database (April 2009–March 2020). The target patients had a first breast cancer diagnosis in April 2010 or later. The percentages of patients prescribed opioids before and after surgery, before and after bone metastasis, and before death with a breast cancer diagnosis in the same month were analyzed by month and by clinical facility characteristics and location.

Results

We identified 1 085 388 target patients, including 216 503, 72 645, and 70 832 patients with data for the events of surgery, bone metastasis, and death, respectively. The percentage of patients prescribed opioids in the month of surgery was the highest of the entire study period at ≥70%. The percentage of patients prescribed opioids increased before bone metastasis, peaked 1 month later, and decreased thereafter while remaining higher than that before the event. The percentage of patients who were prescribed opioids before death increased over time, peaking at 33.4% 1 month before death. Prescriptions differed by facility characteristics and facility location around surgery; no differences by facility characteristics, including location, were noted around the other events. The percentage of patients prescribed opioids was consistently lower than that reported in other countries for all events.

Conclusions

We showed the opioid prescription status around clinical events, including some distinct patterns depending on facility characteristics for the period around surgery, among patients with breast cancer in Japan.
Responses of juvenile blacklegged ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) to hosts of varying quality
Authors: Burton Emily S , Ostfeld Richard S , Brunner Jesse L
Published: August 2024

Blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) are the most medically and economically important vectors in North America. Each of their 3 life stages requires a blood meal from one of many potential host species, during which they can acquire or transmit pathogens. Host species, however, vary tremendously in their quality for ticks, as measured by differences in feeding and molting success. There should be clear fitness benefits for ticks that preferentially feed upon high-quality hosts (e.g., white-footed mice, Peromyscus leucopus), or at least avoid feeding on very low-quality hosts (e.g., Virginia opossums, Didelphis virginiana). Indeed, laboratory experiments have found some evidence of host preferences in I. scapularis; but these involve presenting ticks with hosts simultaneously and measuring movement towards hosts on a horizontal plane. In nature, however, host-seeking ticks encounter hosts sequentially and their movements are principally in a vertical plane. Here, we present the results of a study in which we measured the vertical movements of host-seeking juvenile blacklegged ticks before and after a host (P. leucopus, Tamias striatus, Sciurus carolinensis, or D. virginiana) was present, and whether the strength of their responses varies with host quality. We found ticks did not measurably alter the speed of their vertical movement in the presence of any hosts, regardless of host quality. Both larvae and nymphs quested slightly higher in the presence of hosts, but this did not vary by host species. These results call into question the existence of active host preferences, at least in this stage of the host-seeking process.
Anatomy of recalcitrance: integrated imaging and spectroscopy reveal features of hard-to-root rose cuttings
Authors: Vilasboa Johnatan
Published: August 2024

This article comments on:

Wamhoff D, Gundel A, Wagner S, Ortleb S, Borisjuk L, Winkelmann T. 2024. Anatomical limitations in adventitious root formation revealed by magnetic resonance imaging, infrared spectroscopy, and histology of rose genotypes with contrasting rooting phenotypes. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, 4784–4801. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erae158
Unlocking fertility in the female gametophyte: a DEAD-box RNA helicase is essential for embryo sac development and seed setting
Authors: Ali Asif , Riaz Asad , Wu Xianjun
Published: August 2024

This article comments on:

Huang J, Qiao Z, Yu H, Lu Z, Chen W, Lu J, Wu J, Bao Y, Shahid MQ, Liu X. 2024. OsRH52A, a DEAD-box protein, regulates functional megaspore specification and is required for embryo sac development in rice. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, 4802–4821. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erae180
RAM1 orchestrates arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in non-legumes
Authors: Gautam Chandan Kumar , Mutyala Prema , Das Debatosh
Published: August 2024

This article comments on:

Ho-Plágaro T, Tamayo-Navarrete MI, Ćavar Zeljković S, Tarkowski P, García-Garrido JM. 2024. A dual regulatory role of the arbuscular mycorrhizal master regulator RAM1 in tomato. Journal of Experimental Botany 75, 5021–5036. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erae210
Novel mechanisms of strigolactone-induced DWARF14 degradation in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Sánchez Martín-Fontecha Elena , Cardinale Francesca , Bürger Marco , Prandi Cristina , Cubas Pilar
Published: August 2024

In angiosperms, the strigolactone receptor is the α/β hydrolase DWARF14 (D14) that, upon strigolactone binding, undergoes conformational changes, triggers strigolactone-dependent responses, and hydrolyses strigolactones. Strigolactone signalling involves the formation of a complex between strigolactone-bound D14, the E3-ubiquitin ligase SCFMAX2, and the transcriptional corepressors SMXL6/7/8, which become ubiquitinated and degraded by the proteasome. Strigolactone also destabilizes the D14 receptor. The current model proposes that D14 degradation occurs after ubiquitination of the SMXLs via SCFMAX2 and proteasomal degradation. Using fluorescence and luminescence assays on transgenic lines expressing D14 fused to GREEN FLUORESCENT PROTEIN or LUCIFERASE, we showed that strigolactone-induced D14 degradation may also occur independently of SCFMAX2 and/or SMXL6/7/8 through a proteasome-independent mechanism. Furthermore, strigolactone hydrolysis was not essential for triggering either D14 or SMXL7 degradation. The activity of mutant D14 proteins predicted to be non-functional for strigolactone signalling was also examined, and their capability to bind strigolactones in vitro was studied using differential scanning fluorimetry. Finally, we found that under certain conditions, the efficiency of D14 degradation was not aligned with that of SMXL7 degradation. These findings indicate a more complex regulatory mechanism governing D14 degradation than previously anticipated and provide novel insights into the dynamics of strigolactone signalling in Arabidopsis.
Atomic-Scale Characterization of Dilute Dopants in Topological Insulators via STEM–EDS Using Registration and Cell Averaging Techniques
Authors: Kang Min-Chul , Islam Farhan , Yan Jiaqiang , Vaknin David , McQueeney Robert J , Lu Ping , Zhou Lin
Published: August 2024

Magnetic dopants in three-dimensional topological insulators (TIs) offer a promising avenue for realizing the quantum anomalous Hall effect (QAHE) without the necessity for an external magnetic field. Understanding the relationship between site occupancy of magnetic dopant elements and their effect on macroscopic property is crucial for controlling the QAHE. By combining atomic-scale energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) maps obtained by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC-STEM) and novel data processing methodologies, including semi-automatic lattice averaging and frame registration, we have determined the substitutional sites of Mn atoms within the 1.2% Mn-doped Sb2Te3 crystal. More importantly, the methodology developed in this study extends beyond Mn-doped Sb2Te3 to other quantum materials, traditional semiconductors, and even electron irradiation sensitive materials.