bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Health After Placental Abruption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (CHAP-SR)
Authors: Ananth Cande V , Patrick Haylea S , Ananth Srinidhi , Zhang Yingting , Kostis William J , Schuster Meike
Published: July 2021

Placental abruption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) have common etiological underpinnings, and there is accumulating evidence that abruption may be associated with future CVD. We estimated associations between abruption and coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke. The meta-analysis was based on the random-effects risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as the effect measure. We conducted a bias analysis to account for abruption misclassification, selection bias, and unmeasured confounding. We included 11 cohort studies comprising 6,325,152 pregnancies, 69,759 abruptions, and 49,265 CHD and stroke cases (1967–2016). Risks of combined CVD morbidity-mortality among abruption and nonabruption groups were 16.7 and 9.3 per 1,000 births, respectively (RR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.50; I2 = 94%; τ2 = 0.22). Women who suffered abruption were at 2.65-fold (95% CI: 1.55, 4.54; I2 = 85%; τ2 = 0.36) higher risk of death related to CHD/stroke than nonfatal CHD/stroke complications (RR = 1.32, 95% CI: 0.91, 1.92; I2 = 93%; τ2 = 0.15). Abruption was associated with higher mortality from CHD (RR = 2.64, 95% CI: 1.57, 4.44; I2 = 76%; τ2 = 0.31) than stroke (RR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.42; I2 = 40%; τ2 = 0.05). Corrections for the aforementioned biases increased these estimates. Women with pregnancies complicated by placental abruption may benefit from postpartum screening or therapeutic interventions to help mitigate CVD risks.
Mapping and Monitoring Zero-Deforestation Commitments
Authors: Austin Kemen G , Heilmayr Robert , Benedict Jason J , Burns David N , Eggen Michael , Grantham Hedley , Greenbury Aida , Hill Jane K , Jenkins Clinton N , Luskin Matthew S , Manurung Timer , Rasmussen Laura V , Rosoman Grant , Rudorff Bernardo , Satar Musnanda , Smith Charlotte , Carlson Kimberly M
Published: July 2021

A growing number of companies have announced zero-deforestation commitments (ZDCs) to eliminate commodities produced at the expense of forests from their supply chains. Translating these aspirational goals into forest conservation requires forest mapping and monitoring (M&M) systems that are technically adequate and therefore credible, salient so that they address the needs of decision makers, legitimate in that they are fair and unbiased, and scalable over space and time. We identify 12 attributes of M&M that contribute to these goals and assess how two prominent ZDC programs, the Amazon Soy Moratorium and the High Carbon Stock Approach, integrate these attributes into their M&M systems. These programs prioritize different attributes, highlighting fundamental trade-offs in M&M design. Rather than prescribe a one-size-fits-all solution, we provide policymakers and practitioners with guidance on the design of ZDC M&M systems that fit their specific use case and that may contribute to more effective implementation of ZDCs.
MRI safety wih abandoned or functional epicardial pacing leads
Authors: Vuorinen AM , Paakkanen R , Karvonen J , Sinisalo J , Holmstrom M , Kivisto S , Peltonen J , Kaasalainen T
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): HUS Medical Imaging Center research grant

Background

The Heart and Rhythm Society’s consensus statement 2017 approves magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED), but excludes patients with epicardial and abandoned leads. Potential safety hazards of an MRI with epicardial pacing leads include heating of the tip of the lead and induction of current in the pacing lead resulting in inappropriate cardiac stimulation. Only a few small studies of MRI safety with epicardial pacing leads have been published and adverse events have been rare. The clinical dilemma remains, whether performing an MRI on a patient with CIED and epicardial pacing leads is safe.

We have performed MRIs on patients with CIED and epicardial pacing leads when benefits have been considered to outweigh the risks after careful case-by-case evaluation following our institutional MRI with CIED safety protocol. 

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of performing an MRI scan on patients with CIED and abandoned or functional epicardial pacing leads. 

Methods

All the clinically indicated MRI examinations conducted on adult patients with CIED and functional or abandoned epicardial leads (n = 24) performed in our hospital between November 2011 and October 2019 were included in this observational retrospective study. The data were retrospectively collected from electronic medical records. 

Results

Altogether 24 MRIs were performed to 16 patients with functional or abandoned epicardial pacing leads (Table). 93.8% (15/16) patients had congenital heart disease. Cardiac MRI was the most frequent examination (21/24, 91.7%). 66.7% of the MRI scans (16/24) were conducted on patients with functional epicardial pacing leads. In 5/24 (20.8%) MRIs, the patient was pacemaker-dependent.

A clinically significant event occurred in one MRI scan. This was transient elevation of the pacing lead threshold in a patient with functional epicardial ventricular pacing lead, that was implanted 29 years prior to the MRI. In another patient with 30-year-old functional epicardial pacing leads, clinically significant irreversible elevation in atrial pacing lead impedance was detected 6 months after the MRI and unlikely related to previous MRI examination.

None of the patients experienced sensations leading to cessation of the MRI scans. No clinically significant pacing lead parameter changes were detected after MRIs performed on patients with modern (implanted year 2000 or later) functional epicardial pacing leads or functional endocardial leads and abandoned epicardial leads. 

Conclusions

MRI examinations in patients with CIED and modern functional epicardial pacing leads were performed without detectable adverse events. Performing an MRI with old functional epicardial pacing leads may involve more risks.
Left atrial strain analysis in hypertensive heart disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy by cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking
Authors: Ferri L , Pica S , Tondi L , Camporeale A , Arosio R , Moroni A , Chow K , Lombardi M
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Increasing evidence suggests that left atrial (LA) deformation is a sensitive marker of diastolic dysfunction in hypertrophic phenotypes. However, there is little data about the impact of hypertension on LA function; furthermore, LA deformation in hypertensive heart disease (HHD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has not been compared yet. 

Purpose

The aim of this study is to compare atrial dimensions and function, evaluated by cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) in patients with HHD, HCM and healthy subjects (HS).

Methods

67 patients (20 HHD, 27 HCM, 20 HS) underwent CMR and were included in the study. Patients were matched for age, sex and BSA; HHD and HCM were also comparable for LV mass index and ejection fraction (EF). CMR-FT atrial strain analysis was performed using Qstrain, Medis software to obtain i) LA conduit function, ii) LA booster pump function), iii) LA reservoir function, iv) LA volumes and EF. Tissue Doppler echocardiography was used to assess diastolic function, including E/e’. LA stiffness was calculated as the ratio between E/e’ and LA reservoir.

Both focal and interstitial myocardial fibrosis were assessed with LGE and extracellular volume (ECV) quantification. 

Results

HHD and HCM showed impaired LA reservoir, conduit function and higher LA volumes vs HS (reservoir: 28 ± 11% and 28 ± 13% vs 41 ± 17%; conduit: 13 ± 7% and 13 ± 7% vs 22 ± 11%; LAESV: 76 ± 21 and 87 ± 22 vs 57 ± 19 ml respectively; all p ≤ 0.03).

HHD and HCM were comparable for bi-ventricular morpho-functional parameters and ECV. HHD showed lower E/e’ values (8 ± 2 vs 16 ± 7, p = 0.002) and LA stiffness (0.23 ± 0.3 vs 0.74 ± 0.6, p 0.03), LA dimensions (LA area 13 ± 3 vs 16 ± 3 cm2/m2, p = 0.02 , LAESVi 41 ± 12 vs 48 ± 11 ml/m2, p = 0.05) and LGE extent (1 ± 2% vs 5 ± 5%, p = 0.001) as compared to HCM. Interestingly, HHD revealed a comparable reduced LA reservoir and conduit function (all p = 0.9) vs HCM. 

In HHD patients LA reservoir function was correlated with E/e’ (r -0.8, p = 0.02), but not in HCM. Conversely, LA reservoir function was correlated with LV mass index in HCM (r -0.5, p < 0.01). 

Conclusions

HHD patients showed a similar and significant impairment of LA function, with lower LA dimensions and E/e’ compared to HCM with similar LV mass index and preserved function.

CMR-FT atrial strain analysis could represent a useful tool for HHD management, able to detect diastolic dysfunction (and/or atrial dysfunction) earlier than traditional markers. Further studies are needed to explore the relationship of LA deformation to heart failure symptoms and atrial fibrillation occurrence and potential changes related to response to therapy.
Prevalence of mitral annulus disjunction and mitral valve prolapse in a multicenter cohort of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation patients
Authors: Groeneveld S , Kirkels FP , Cramer MJ , Evertz R , Haugaa KH , Postema PG , Prakken NHJ , Teske AJ , Velthuis BK , Nijveldt R , Hassink RJ
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Dutch Heart Foundation

Background

Idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) is diagnosed in patients with sudden onset of ventricular fibrillation of which the origin is not identified after extensive evaluations. Recent studies suggest an association between mitral annulus disjunction (MAD), mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and ventricular arrhythmias[1,2]. The prevalence of MAD and MVP in IVF patients in this regard, is not well established.

Purpose

To explore prevalence of MAD and MVP in IVF patients.

Methods

In this retrospective multicenter cohort study, Cardiac Magnetic Resonance images from IVF patients (i.e., negative for ischemia, cardiomyopathy and channelopathies) and matched control subjects were analyzed for MAD (≥2mm) and MVP (>2mm).

Results

In total, 71 IVF patients (mean age 39, 59% male) and 71 controls (mean age 41, 58% male) were included. MAD in the inferolateral wall was more prevalent in IVF patients versus healthy controls (6 [10%] vs. 1 [1%], p = 0.035). MVP was only seen in IVF patients and not in controls (4 [7%] vs. 0 [0%], p = 0.037). MVP was observed both in IVF patients with (n = 3) and without (n = 1) MAD. Patients with MAD did not show papillary muscle fibrosis. Four (67%) patients with MAD showed frequent ventricular ectopy from the basal myocardial region.

Conclusion

Inferolateral MAD and MVP were significantly more prevalent in IVF patients compared to healthy controls (figure). This is in line with previous studies suggesting a correlation between mitral valve disease and IVF. Our findings support further exploration of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying a subset of IVF that associates with MAD and MVP.
Bicuspid aortic valve fusion length correlates with maximum aortic diameter and heamodynamic abnormalities: a 4D flow CMR study
Authors: Guala A , Teixido-Tura G , Dux-Santoy L , Ruiz-Munoz A , Valente F , Galian L , Gutierrez L , Gonzalez-Alujas T , Johnson K , Wieben O , Sao-Aviles A , Ferreira-Gonzalez I , Evangelista A , Rodriguez-Palomares J
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Guala A. received funding from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

Background

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), a congenital heart defect, is associated with ascending aorta dilation, possibly via alteration of aortic blood flow [1]. In BAV abnormal flow condition have been associated with aortic extracellular matrix dysregulation and elastic fiber degeneration [2]. Current morphological classification of BAV patients with aortic valve with a single fusion between two adjacent leaflets does not allow for risk stratification.

Purpose

This research work tested whether the extent of fusion between leaflets is related to AAo diameter and flow alterations.

Methods

Ninety BAV patients free from moderate and severe aortic valve disease and with no previous aortic or aortic valve surgery or replacement were prospectively enrolled. A comprehensive magnetic resonance protocol comprised a stack of double-oblique 2D balanced steady-state free-precession (bSSFP) cine CMR of the aortic valve, which was used to measure the length of the fusion between leaflets, a cine CMR at the level of the pulmonary bifurcation to assess aortic diameter and 4D flow MRI sequence to assess flow characteristics and regional stiffness [3]. Jet angle and flow radial displacement, quantifying the extent of flow eccentricity, and systolic flow reversal ratio (SFRR), assessing the relative amount of backward flow during systole, were computed at 8 equidistant planes in the ascending aorta and 4 equidistant planes in the aortic arch [4]. A two-tailed p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The length of leaflet fusion varied widely (median 7.7 mm, inter-quartile range [5.5; 10.2]), Table 1). In bivariate analysis, fusion length was also associated to ascending aortic diameter (R = 0.391, p < 0.001), age (R = 0.313, p = 0.005) and body surface area (R = 0.396, p < 0.001). It was also positively related to flow abnormalities: like displacement in the proximal and distal ascending aorta, jet angle in the mid ascending aorta, and SFRR in the ascending aorta and the aortic arch (see Figure 1). The association between fusion length and ascending aorta diameter persisted in multivariate analysis after correction for age (p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Bicuspid aortic valve fusion extent varies greatly and it is associated with aortic diameter, possibly through flow alterations. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to establish whether fusion length may allow for risk stratification in bicuspid aortic valve patients.
Prognostic role of cardiac magnetic resonance in left ventricular noncompaction
Authors: Casas G , Limeres J , Barriales-Villa R , Garcia-Pavia P , Zorio E , Gimeno-Blanes JR , Palomino-Doza J , Garcia-Pinilla JM , Bayes-Genis A , Ripoll-Vera T , Jimenez-Jaimez J , Villacorta E , Evangelista A , Ferreira-Gonzales I , Rodriguez-Palomares JF
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a heterogeneous entity with a wide phenotypic expression. Risk factors have not been well established and prognostic stratification remains challenging.

Purpose

Describe prognostic role of CMR on long term outcomes of LVNC patients. 

Methods

 

Retrospective multicentric longitudinal cohort study of consecutive patients fulfilling imaging diagnostic criteria for LVNC (Jenni echo criteria and Petersen and Jacquier CMR criteria). Demographic, ECG, genetic, family and treatment variables were recorded. Baseline CMR was used for the analysis. LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was categorized according to heart failure (HF) guidelines and late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was visually assessed in a binary way. End points were HF, ventricular arrhythmias (VA), systemic embolisms (SE) and all-cause death. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were the combination of the four previous end points. In patients with initially preserved LVEF (≥ 50%), LV adverse remodelling (LVAR) was defined as an LVEF < 50% and/or absolute decrease of ≥10% in LVEF at last follow-up.

Results

585 patients from 12 referral centres were included from 2000 to 2018. Age at diagnosis was 45 ± 20 years, 334 (57%) were male, baseline LVEF was 48 ± 17% and 18% presented LGE. During a median follow-up of 5.1 years (IQR 2.3-8.1), 110 (19%) patients presented HF, 87 (15%) VA, 18 (3%) SE and 34 (6%) died. MACE occurred in 223 (38%) patients.

LVEF was independently associated with HF, VA, SE and MACE: HR were 1.08, 1.02, 1.04 and 1.02 respectively (all p < 0.05). LGE was more frequent in patients with reduced LVEF (39 Vs 53%, p < 0.001) and was associated with higher HF and VA risk in patients with an LVEF > 35% (HR 2.69 and 2.48 respectively, p < 0.05) (Figure 1). No MACE (0%) occurred during long-term follow-up in patients with preserved LVEF, no LGE as well as no ECG abnormalities and no family aggregation.

305 (52%) patients presented with initially preserved LVEF, and 230 (75%) of those had LVEF available at last follow-up. LVAR occurred in 50 (22%) patients: 22 (10%) had an LVEF < 50% and 41 (18%) an absolute ≥ 10% decrease in LVEF. LGE was independently associated with LVAR (HR 3.51, p = 0.045) (Figure 2). 

Conclusions

Cardiac magnetic resonance has an important prognostic role in LVNC. LVEF is the most powerful predictor of events. Myocardial fibrosis is associated with worse outcomes in patients without severe systolic dysfunction, as well as with left ventricular adverse remodelling in those with initially preserved LVEF. Besides, CMR may identify a low-risk subgroup of LVNC patients. Therefore, CMR should be used in risk stratification in LVNC.
No differences in native T1 of the renal cortex between Fabry patients and healthy volunteers in clinically acquired native T1 maps by cardiovascular magnetic resonance
Authors: Kjellberg F , Sorensson P , Sigfridsson A , Ugander M , Oscarson M , Nickander J
Published: July 2021

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): Karolinska Institutet Swedish Heart and Lung foundation

Introduction

Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal disease that causes accumulation of sphingolipids, which untreated may leadto hypertrophic cardiomyopathyand renal failure. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) can detect sphingolipid accumulationin the heart, using native T1 mapping. The kidneys are often visible in clinically acquired native T1 maps, however it is currently unknown if clinically acquired native T1 maps of the heart also can be used to detect sphingolipid accumulation in the kidneysin FD patients. 

Purpose

To evaluate if clinically acquired native T1 maps using CMR can be used to detect sphingolipid accumulation in the kidneysin FD patients. 

Methods

FD patients (n = 18, 41 ± 10 years, 44 % male) and healthy volunteers (n = 41, 26 ± 5 years, 49 % male) were retrospectively enrolled. Native T1 maps were acquired with a 1.5 T scanner (Magnetom Aera, Siemens Healthineers, Erlangen, Germany) usinga modified look locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequence with a 5s(3s)3s sampling scheme (Siemens WIP 1041). The native T1 maps were analysed using Segment (Medviso AB, Lund, Sweden). Native T1 values were measured by manually delineating regions of interest (ROI), conservatively placed with a minimum gap of 1 pixel between adjacent structures, in the renal cortex, renal medulla, myocardium, spleen, blood, and liver. Renal cortex ROIs were delineated in all slices where the renal cortex was visible and averaged across all slices. Renal medulla, spleen, and liver ROIs were drawn in the slice where most parenchyma was visible. Endo- and epicardial borders were delineated in all slices of the myocardium and averaged across all slices. Blood ROIs were placed in the midventricular slice, Figure 1.

Results

There were no differences in native T1 values between the patients and the healthy volunteers in the renal cortex (1034 ± 88 vs 1038 ± 51 ms, p = 0.89), blood (1632 ± 123 vs 1600 ± 104 ms, p = 0.94), spleen (1143 ± 45 vs 1134 ± 77 ms, p = 0.64) or liver (569 ± 49 vs 576 ± 45 ms, p = 0.57), and did not change when analysed with regards to sex, Figure 2. Native T1-values were lower in the myocardium of the patients compared to the healthy volunteers (937 ± 53 vs 1019 ± 35 ms, p = 0.01), and higher in the renal medulla (1635 ± 144 vs 1523 ± 70 ms, p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Compared to healthy volunteers, patients with FD and myocardial involvement have no differences in native T1 of the renal cortex. FD patients have higher native T1 in the renal medulla, which cannot be explained by differences in blood native T1. The findings suggest that clinically acquired native T1-maps cannot be used to detect sphingolipid accumulation in the renal cortex in FD patients.
Chromosome-scale assembly of wild barley accession “OUH602”
Authors: Sato Kazuhiro , Mascher Martin , Himmelbach Axel , Haberer Georg , Spannagl Manuel , Stein Nils
Published: July 2021

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) was domesticated from its wild ancestral form ca. 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent and is widely cultivated throughout the world, except for in tropical areas. The genome size of both cultivated barley and its conspecific wild ancestor is approximately 5 Gb. High-quality chromosome-level assemblies of 19 cultivated and one wild barley genotype were recently established by pan-genome analysis. Here, we release another equivalent short-read assembly of the wild barley accession “OUH602.” A series of genetic and genomic resources were developed for this genotype in prior studies. Our assembly contains more than 4.4 Gb of sequence, with a scaffold N50 value of over 10 Mb. The haplotype shows high collinearity with the most recently updated barley reference genome, “Morex” V3, with some inversions. Gene projections based on “Morex” gene models revealed 46,807 protein-coding sequences and 43,375 protein-coding genes. Alignments to publicly available sequences of bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones of “OUH602” confirm the high accuracy of the assembly. Since more loci of interest have been identified in “OUH602,” the release of this assembly, with detailed genomic information, should accelerate gene identification and the utilization of this key wild barley accession.
Genome-Wide Detection of Structural Variations Reveals New Regions Associated with Domestication in Small Ruminants
Authors: Cumer Tristan , Boyer Frédéric , Pompanon François
Published: July 2021

During domestication processes, changes in selective pressures induce multiple phenotypical, physiological, and behavioral changes in target species. The rise of next-generation sequencing has provided a chance to study the genetics bases of these changes, most of the time based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, several studies have highlighted the impact of structural variations (SVs) on individual fitness, particularly in domestic species. We aimed at unraveling the role of SVs during the domestication and later improvement of small ruminants by analyzing whole-genome sequences of 40 domestic sheep and 11 of their close wild relatives (Ovis orientalis), and 40 goats and 18 of their close wild relatives (Capra aegagrus). Using a combination of detection tools, we called 45,796 SVs in Ovis and 15,047 SVs in Capra genomes, including insertions, deletions, inversions, copy number variations, and chromosomal translocations. Most of these SVs were previously unreported in small ruminants. 69 and 45 SVs in sheep and goats, respectively, were in genomic regions with neighboring SNPs highly differentiated between wilds and domestics (i.e., putatively related to domestication). Among them, 25 and 20 SVs were close to or overlapping with genes related to physiological and morpho-anatomical traits linked with productivity (e.g., size, meat or milk quality, wool color), reproduction, or immunity. Finally, several of the SVs differentiated between wilds and domestics would not have been detected by screening only the differentiation of SNPs surrounding them, highlighting the complementarity of SVs and SNPs based approaches to detect signatures of selection.
Ensemble epistasis: thermodynamic origins of nonadditivity between mutations
Authors: Morrison Anneliese J , Wonderlick Daria R , Harms Michael J
Published: July 2021

Epistasis—when mutations combine nonadditively—is a profoundly important aspect of biology. It is often difficult to understand its mechanistic origins. Here, we show that epistasis can arise from the thermodynamic ensemble, or the set of interchanging conformations a protein adopts. Ensemble epistasis occurs because mutations can have different effects on different conformations of the same protein, leading to nonadditive effects on its average, observable properties. Using a simple analytical model, we found that ensemble epistasis arises when two conditions are met: (1) a protein populates at least three conformations and (2) mutations have differential effects on at least two conformations. To explore the relative magnitude of ensemble epistasis, we performed a virtual deep-mutational scan of the allosteric Ca2+ signaling protein S100A4. We found that 47% of mutation pairs exhibited ensemble epistasis with a magnitude on the order of thermal fluctuations. We observed many forms of epistasis: magnitude, sign, and reciprocal sign epistasis. The same mutation pair could even exhibit different forms of epistasis under different environmental conditions. The ubiquity of thermodynamic ensembles in biology and the pervasiveness of ensemble epistasis in our dataset suggests that it may be a common mechanism of epistasis in proteins and other macromolecules.
The Roles of General and Domain-Specific Perceived Stress in Healthy Aging
Authors: Luo Jing , Zhang Bo , Willroth Emily C , Mroczek Daniel K , Roberts Brent W
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Theoretical and empirical evidence suggests the existence of a general perceived stress factor overarching different life domains. The present study investigated the general perceived stress relative to domain-specific perceived stress as predictors of 26 diverse health outcomes, including mental and physical health, health behaviors, cognitive functioning, and physiological indicators of health.

Method

A bifactor exploratory structural equational modeling approach was adopted in 2 aging samples from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 8,325 in Sample 1 and N = 7,408 in Sample 2).

Results

Across the 2 samples, perceived stress was well represented by a bifactor structure where there was a robust general perceived stress factor representing a general propensity towards stress perception. Meanwhile, after controlling for the general perceived stress factor, specific factors that represent perceived stress in different life domains were still clearly present. Results also suggested age, sex, race, education, personality traits, and past and recent stressor exposure as possible factors underlying individual differences in the general perceived stress factor. The general perceived stress factor was the most robust predictor of the majority of health outcomes, as well as changes in mental health outcomes. The specific factor of perceived neighborhood stress demonstrated incremental predictive effects across different types of health outcomes.

Discussion

The current study provides strong evidence for the existence of a general perceived stress factor that captures variance shared among stress across life domains, and the general perceived stress factor demonstrated substantial prospective predictive effects on diverse health outcomes in older adulthood.
Large-scale balances and asymptotic scaling behaviour in spherical dynamos
Authors: Calkins Michael A , Orvedahl Ryan J , Featherstone Nicholas A
Published: July 2021

The large-scale dynamics of convection-driven dynamos in a spherical shell, as relevant to the geodynamo, is analysed with numerical simulation data and asymptotic theory. An attempt is made to determine the asymptotic size (with the small parameter being the Ekman number, Ek) of the forces, and the associated velocity and magnetic fields. In agreement with previous work, the leading order mean force balance is shown to be thermal wind (Coriolis, pressure gradient and buoyancy) in the meridional plane and Coriolis–Lorentz in the zonal direction. The Lorentz force is observed to be weaker than the mean buoyancy force across a range of Ek and thermal forcing; the relative difference in these forces appears to be O(Ek1/6) within the parameter space investigated. We find that the thermal wind balance requires that the mean zonal velocity scales as O(Ek−1/3), whereas the meridional circulation is asymptotically smaller by a factor of O(Ek1/6). The mean temperature equation shows a balance between thermal diffusion and the divergence of the convective heat flux, indicating the presence of a mean temperature length scale of size O(Ek1/6). Neither the mean nor the fluctuating magnetic field show a strong dependence on the Ekman number, though the simulation data shows evidence of a mean magnetic field length scale of size O(Ek1/6). A consequence of the asymptotic ordering of the forces is that Taylor’s constraint is satisfied to accuracy O(Ek1/6), despite the absence of a leading-order magnetostrophic balance. Further consequences of the force balance are discussed with respect to the large-scale flows thought to be important for the geodynamo.
Genome-wide association study in the Taiwan Biobank identifies four novel genes for human height:NABP2, RASA2, RNF41andSLC39A5
Authors: Lin Eugene , Tsai Shih-Jen , Kuo Po-Hsiu , Liu Yu-Li , Yang Albert C , Conomos Matthew P , Thornton Timothy A
Published: July 2021

Numerous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have been conducted for the identification of genetic variants involved with human height. The vast majority of these studies, however, have been conducted in populations of European ancestry. Here, we report the first GWAS of adult height in the Taiwan Biobank using a discovery sample of 14 571 individuals and an independent replication sample of 20 506 individuals. From our analysis, we generalize to the Taiwanese population genome-wide significant associations with height and 18 previously identified genes in European and non-Taiwanese East Asian populations. We also identify and replicate, at the genome-wide significance level, associated variants for height in four novel genes at two loci that have not previously been reported: RASA2 on chromosome 3 and NABP2, RNF41 and SLC39A5 at 12q13.3 on chromosome 12. RASA2 and RNF41 are strong candidates for having a role in height with copy number and loss of function variants in RASA2 previously found to be associated with short stature disorders, and decreased expression of the RNF41 gene resulting in insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. The results from our analysis of the Taiwan Biobank underscore the potential for the identification of novel genetic discoveries in underrepresented worldwide populations, even for traits, such as height, that have been extensively investigated in large-scale studies of European ancestry populations.
Drivers of variability of Calanus finmarchicus in the Gulf of Maine: roles of internal production and external exchange
Authors: Ji Rubao , Runge Jeffrey A , Davis Cabell S , Wiebe Peter H
Published: July 2021

The lipid-rich calanoid copepod, Calanus finmarchicus, plays a critical role in the Gulf of Maine pelagic food web. Despite numerous studies over the last several decades, a clear picture of variability patterns and links with key environmental drivers remains elusive. This study applies model-based scaling and sensitivity analyses to a regional plankton dataset collected over the last four decades (1977–2017). The focus is to describe the gulf-wide spatio-temporal patterns across three major basins, and to assess the relative roles of internal population dynamics and external exchanges. For the spring stock, there is strong synchrony of interannual variability among three basins. This variability is largely driven by internal population dynamics rather than external exchanges, and the internal population dynamics are more sensitive to the change of top-down mortality regime than the bottom-up forcings. For the fall stock, the synchrony among basins weakens, and the variability is influenced by both internal mortality and external dilution loss. There appears to be no direct connection between the spring stock with either the preceding or subsequent fall stock, suggesting seasonal or sub-seasonal scales of population variability and associated drivers. The results highlight seasonally varying drivers responsible for population variability, including previously less recognized top-down control.
SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 Mutations L452R and E484Q Are Not Synergistic for Antibody Evasion
Authors: Ferreira Isabella A T M , Kemp Steven A , Datir Rawlings , Saito Akatsuki , Meng Bo , Rakshit Partha , Takaori-Kondo Akifumi , Kosugi Yusuke , Uriu Keiya , Kimura Izumi , Shirakawa Kotaro , Abdullahi Adam , Agarwal Anurag , Ozono Seiya , Tokunaga Kenzo , Sato Kei , Gupta Ravindra K ,   CITIID-NIHR BioResource COVID-19 Collaboration, Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium,   The Genotype to Phenotype Japan (G2P-Japan) Consortium
Published: July 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617 variant emerged in the Indian state of Maharashtra in late 2020. There have been fears that 2 key mutations seen in the receptor-binding domain, L452R and E484Q, would have additive effects on evasion of neutralizing antibodies. We report that spike bearing L452R and E484Q confers modestly reduced sensitivity to BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine-elicited antibodies following either first or second dose. The effect is similar in magnitude to the loss of sensitivity conferred by L452R or E484Q alone. These data demonstrate reduced sensitivity to vaccine-elicited neutralizing antibodies by L452R and E484Q but lack of synergistic loss of sensitivity.
Induced mutations in SlE8 and SlACO1 control tomato fruit maturation and shelf-life
Authors: Brisou Gwilherm , Piquerez Sophie J M , Minoia Silvia , Marcel Fabien , Cornille Amandine , Carriero Filomena , Boualem Adnane , Bendahmane Abdelhafid
Published: July 2021

Fruit maturation and softening are critical traits that control fruit shelf-life. In the climacteric tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit, ethylene plays a key role in fruit ripening and softening. We characterized two related proteins with contrasting impact on ethylene production, ACC oxidase 1 (SlACO1) and SlE8. We found SlACO1 and SlE8 to be highly expressed during fruit ripening. To identify loss-of-function alleles, we analysed the tomato genetic diversity but we did not find any natural mutations impairing the function of these proteins. We also found the two loci evolving under purifying selection. To engineer hypomorphic alleles, we used TILLING (target-induced local lesions in genomes) to screen a tomato ethylmethane sulfonate-mutagenized population. We found 13 mutants that we phenotyped for ethylene production, shelf-life, firmness, conductivity, and soluble solid content in tomato fruits. The data demonstrated that slaco1-1 and slaco1-2 alleles could be used to improve fruit shelf-life, and that sle8-1 and sle8-2 alleles could be used to accelerate ripening. This study highlights further the importance of SlACO1 and SlE8 in ethylene production in tomato fruit and how they might be used for post-harvest fruit preservation or speeding up fruit maturation.
Massive Transfusion Protocol in a 69 Year Old Woman with Alloantibodies
Authors: Qiao Jesse , Abadie Jude M
Published: July 2021

Unlike routine blood transfusions that are managed by attending providers and rely on compatibility testing, massive transfusions are managed by the trauma team members, who usually do not have immediate access to compatibility testing. Incompatible C or E antigens, when present in uncrossmatched O positive blood, require transfusion support so that health care professionals can manage potential causes for extravascular hemolysis. Herein, we describe a massive transfusion situation in which immediate patient management was required to mitigate potentially fatal clinical consequences of transfused red blood cell antibodies. In addition, this case study shows how the utility of chemistry and hematology laboratory results can illustrate the complexities of massive transfusion management in the context of incompatible C or E antigens.
Evidence for sub-Chandrasekhar Type Ia supernovae from the last major merger
Authors: Sanders Jason L , Belokurov Vasily , Man Kai T F
Published: July 2021

We investigate the contribution of sub-Chandrasekhar mass Type Ia supernovae to the chemical enrichment of the Gaia Sausage galaxy, the progenitor of a significant merger event in the early life of the Milky Way. Using a combination of data from Nissen & Schuster, the GALactic Archaeology with HERMES (GALAH) Data Release 3 [with 1D non-local thermal equilibrium (NLTE) abundance corrections], and the Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment (APOGEE) Data Release 16, we fit analytic chemical evolution models to a nine-dimensional chemical abundance space (Fe, Mg, Si, Ca, Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn) in particular focusing on the iron-peak elements, Mn and Ni. We find that low [Mn/Fe] $\sim -0.15\, \mathrm{dex}$ and low [Ni/Fe] $\sim -0.3\, \mathrm{dex}$ Type Ia yields are required to explain the observed trends beyond the [α/Fe] knee of the Gaia Sausage (approximately at [Fe/H] $=-1.4\, \mathrm{dex}$). Comparison to theoretical yield calculations indicates a significant contribution from sub-Chandrasekhar mass Type Ia supernovae in this system (from ${\sim} 60\, \mathrm{per\, cent}$ to $100\, \mathrm{per\, cent}$ depending on the theoretical model with an additional ${\pm} 10\, \mathrm{per\, cent}$ systematic from NLTE corrections). We compare to results from other Local Group environments including dwarf spheroidal galaxies, the Magellanic Clouds, and the Milky Way’s bulge, finding the Type Ia [Mn/Fe] yield must be metallicity dependent. Our results suggest that sub-Chandrasekhar mass channels are a significant, perhaps even dominant, contribution to Type Ia supernovae in metal-poor systems, whilst more metal-rich systems could be explained by metallicity-dependent sub-Chandrasekhar mass yields, possibly with additional progenitor mass variation related to star formation history, or an increased contribution from Chandrasekhar mass channels at higher metallicity.
The Global Meteor Network – Methodology and first results
Authors: Vida Denis , Šegon Damir , Gural Peter S , Brown Peter G , McIntyre Mark J M , Dijkema Tammo Jan , Pavletić Lovro , Kukić Patrik , Mazur Michael J , Eschman Peter , Roggemans Paul , Merlak Aleksandar , Zubović Dario
Published: July 2021

The Global Meteor Network (GMN) utilizes highly sensitive low-cost CMOS video cameras which run open-source meteor detection software on Raspberry Pi computers. Currently, over 450 GMN cameras in 30 countries are deployed. The main goal of the network is to provide long-term characterization of the radiants, flux, and size distribution of annual meteor showers and outbursts in the optical meteor mass range. The rapid 24-h publication cycle the orbital data will enhance the public situational awareness of the near-Earth meteoroid environment. The GMN also aims to increase the number of instrumentally observed meteorite falls and the transparency of data reduction methods. A novel astrometry calibration method is presented which allows decoupling of the camera pointing from the distortion, and is used for frequent pointing calibrations through the night. Using wide-field cameras (88° × 48°) with a limiting stellar magnitude of +6.0 ± 0.5 at 25 frames per second, over 220 000 precise meteoroid orbits were collected since 2018 December until 2021 June. The median radiant precision of all computed trajectories is 0.47°, 0.32° for $\sim 20{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of meteors which were observed from 4 + stations, a precision sufficient to measure physical dispersions of meteor showers. All non-daytime annual established meteor showers were observed during that time, including five outbursts. An analysis of a meteorite-dropping fireball is presented which showed visible wake, fragmentation details, and several discernible fragments. It had spatial trajectory fit errors of only ∼40 m, which translated into the estimated radiant and velocity errors of 3 arcmin and tens of meters per second.
Constrained realizations of 2MRS density and peculiar velocity fields: growth rate and local flow
Authors: Lilow Robert , Nusser Adi
Published: July 2021

We generate constrained realizations (CRs) of the density and peculiar velocity fields within $200 \, h^{-1} \, \mathrm{Mpc}$ from the final release of the Two-Micron All-Sky Redshift Survey (2MRS) – the densest all-sky redshift survey to date. The CRs are generated by combining a Wiener filter estimator in spherical Fourier-Bessel space with random realizations of log-normally distributed density fields and Poisson-sampled galaxy positions. The algorithm is tested and calibrated on a set of semi-analytic mock catalogues mimicking the environment of the Local Group (LG), to rigorously account for the statistical and systematic errors of the reconstruction method. By comparing our peculiar velocity CRs with the observed velocities from the Cosmicflows-3 catalogue, we constrain the normalized linear growth rate to $f \sigma _8^{\text{lin}}= 0.367 \pm 0.060$, which is consistent at the 1.1σ level with the latest Planck results as well as other direct probes. Simultaneously, we estimate a bulk flow contribution from sources beyond the 2MRS reconstruction volume of $B^{\text{ext}}= 199 \pm 68 \, \mathrm{km} \, \mathrm{s}^{-1}$ towards l = 299 ± 18°, b = 8 ± 19°. The total reconstructed velocity field at the position of the LG, smoothed with a $1 \, h^{-1} \, \mathrm{Mpc}$ Gaussian, is $685 \pm 75 \, \mathrm{km} \, \mathrm{s}^{-1}$ towards l = 270.6 ± 6.6°, b = 35.5 ± 7.2°, in good agreement with the observed CMB dipole. The total reconstructed bulk flow within different radii is compatible with other measurements. Within a $50 \, h^{-1} \, \mathrm{Mpc}$ Gaussian window we find a bulk flow of $274 \pm 50 \, \mathrm{km} \, \mathrm{s}^{-1}$ towards l = 287 ± 9°, b = 11 ± 10°. The code used to generate the CRs and obtain these results, dubbed coras, is made publicly available.
Bayesian inference of quark star equation of state using the NICER PSR J0030+0451 data
Authors: Li A , Miao Z-Q , Jiang J-L , Tang S-P , Xu R-X
Published: July 2021

We constrain the equation of state of quark stars within the Bayesian statistical approach using the mass and radius measurements of PSR J0030+0451 from NICER. Three types of bag models, with and without non-zero finite quark mass and/or superfluidity, are employed for quark stars made up with self-bound strange quark matter. We find the $90{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ posterior credible boundary around the most probable values of the quark star maximum mass is $M_{\rm TOV}=2.38_{-0.23}^{+0.26}\, M_{\odot }$, within the model flexibility of the finite quark mass, the quark pairing gap, and the perturbative contribution from the one-gluon exchange. The radius of a canonical $1.4 \, M_{\odot }$ quark star is $R_{\rm 1.4}\sim 12.3\, {\rm km}$, smaller than the results based on neutron star models.
Structural basis for glucocorticoid receptor recognition of both unmodified and methylated binding sites, precursors of a modern recognition element
Authors: Liu Xu , Weikum Emily R , Tilo Desiree , Vinson Charles , Ortlund Eric A
Published: July 2021

The most common form of DNA methylation involves the addition of a methyl group to a cytosine base in the context of a cytosine–phosphate–guanine (CpG) dinucleotide. Genomes from more primitive organisms are more abundant in CpG sites that, through the process of methylation, deamination and subsequent mutation to thymine–phosphate–guanine (TpG) sites, can produce new transcription factor binding sites. Here, we examined the evolutionary history of the over 36 000 glucocorticoid receptor (GR) consensus binding motifs in the human genome and identified a subset of them in regulatory regions that arose via a deamination and subsequent mutation event. GR can bind to both unmodified and methylated pre-GR binding sequences (GBSs) that contain a CpG site. Our structural analyses show that CpG methylation in a pre-GBS generates a favorable interaction with Arg447 mimicking that made with a TpG in a GBS. This methyl-specific recognition arose 420 million years ago and was conserved during the evolution of GR and likely helps fix the methylation on the relevant cytosines. Our study provides the first genetic, biochemical and structural evidence of high-affinity binding for the likely evolutionary precursor of extant TpG-containing GBS.
Cross-sectional survey of patients, caregivers, and physicians on diagnosis and treatment of brain metastases
Authors: Kim Albert E , Wang Gi-Ming , Waite Kristin A , Elder Scott , Fine Avery , Ahluwalia Manmeet S , Brat Daniel , Mehta Minesh P , Page Robin , Dunbar Erin , Calderone Heather M , Robins Debra Signer , DeVitto Ralph , Willmarth Nicole E , Barnholtz-Sloan Jill S , Brastianos Priscilla K
Published: July 2021

Background

The development of brain metastases (BM) is one of the most feared complications of cancer due to the substantial neurocognitive morbidity and a grim prognosis. In the past decade, targeted therapies and checkpoint inhibitors have demonstrated promising intracranial response rates for tumors of multiple histologies. As overall survival for these patients improves, there is a growing need to identify issues surrounding patient survivorship and to standardize physician practice patterns for these patients. To date, there has not been an adequate study to specifically explore these questions of survivorship and practice standardization for patients with advanced cancer and BM.

Methods

Here, we present results from a cross-sectional survey in which we analyze responses from 237 patients, 209 caregivers, and 239 physicians to identify areas of improvement in the clinical care of BM.

Results

In comparing physician and patient/caregiver responses, we found a disparity in the perceived discussion of topics pertaining to important aspects of BM clinical care. We identified variability in practice patterns for this patient population between private practice and academic physicians. Many physicians continue to have patients with BM excluded from clinical trials. Finally, we obtained patient/physician recommendations on high-yield areas for federal funding to improve patient quality of life.

Conclusion

By identifying potential areas of unmet need, we anticipate this wealth of actionable information will translate into tangible benefits for both patients and caregivers. Future studies are needed to validate our findings.
The causal impact of performance-based funding on university performance: quasi-experimental evidence from a policy in Russian higher education
Authors: Agasisti Tommaso , Abalmasova Ekaterina , Shibanova Ekaterina , Egorov Aleksei
Published: July 2021

In most countries implementing structural transformations in their higher education systems, a key goal of policymakers is to tie the amount of public funding to university performance. The present article analyses the Russian performance-based funding (PBF) reform to provide a quasi-experimental assessment of its effects on university performance. To evaluate the causal effect of PBF on university performance, we define the treatment and control groups by distinguishing universities on the basis of changes in their performance-based allocations and estimate the causal effect of the redistribution of public funds between universities as a result of PBF. Results indicate that the performance of universities is indeed affected by the extra funding generated by the reform, although heterogeneity is also at play. In the short term, the new policy has had an impact on the average national exam scores of enrollees showing that it has had encouraged universities to be more selective.