bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical mineral constraints in global renewable scenarios under 1.5 °C target
Authors: Wang Peng , Chen Wei-Qiang , Cui Xueqin , Li Jiashuo , Li Wen , Wang Chenyang , Cai Wenjia , Geng Xinyi
Published: November 2022

To avoid catastrophic climate change, the world is promoting a fast and unprecedented transition from fuels to renewables. However, the infrastructures of renewables, such as wind turbines and solar cells, rely heavily on critical minerals like rare earths, indium, etc. Such interactions between climate targets, energy transitions, and critical minerals were widely overlooked in the present climate scenario analysis. This study aims to fill this gap through an introduction of metal–energy–climate nexus framework with its application on global energy transition towards a carbon-neutral (or below 1.5 °C) target, in which six state-of-the-art integrated assessment models (IAMs) under different shared socioeconomic pathways were applied. Our analysis revealed that climate mitigation is expected to boost significantly the critical mineral demand by 2.6–267-fold, which varies greatly by IAM models. Solar power development may be constrained by tellurium (Te) and selenium (Se) shortage, while wind power will be jeopardized by the limited scalability of rare earth production. Moreover, a more sustainable pathway may come at higher demand for critical minerals along with higher renewable ratios. Consequently, a holistic investigation of the interaction of mineral, energy, and climate systems is highly recommended for future scenario designing.
Modeling of magnetized collisional plasma sheath with nonextensive electron distribution and ionization source
Authors: CHEN Long , YANG Yehui , AN Yuhao , DUAN Ping , SUN Shaojuan , CUI Zuojun , KAN Zichen , GAO Weifu
Published: November 2022

The properties of an atmospheric-pressure collisional plasma sheath with nonextensively distributed electrons and hypothetical ionization source terms are studied in this work. The Bohm criterion for the magnetized plasma is extended in the presence of an ion–neutral collisional force and ionization source. The effects of electron nonextensive distribution, ionization frequency, ion–neutral collision, magnetic field angle and ion temperature on the Bohm criterion of the plasma sheath are numerically analyzed. The fluid equations are solved numerically in the plasma–wall transition region using a modified Bohm criterion as the boundary condition. The plasma sheath properties such as charged particle density, floating sheath potential and thickness are thoroughly investigated under different kinds of ion source terms, contributions of collisions, and magnetic fields. The results show that the effect of the ion source term on the properties of atmospheric-pressure collisional plasma sheath is significant. As the ionization frequency increases, the Mach number of the Bohm criterion decreases and the range of possible values narrows. When the ion source is considered, the space charge density increases, the sheath potential drops more rapidly, and the sheath thickness becomes narrower. In addition, ion–neutral collision, magnetic field angle and ion temperature also significantly affect the sheath potential profile and sheath thickness.
Functional disability trajectories at the end of life among Japanese older adults: findings from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES)
Authors: Saito Junko , Murayama Hiroshi , Ueno Takayuki , Saito Masashige , Haseda Maho , Saito Tami , Kondo Katsunori , Kondo Naoki
Published: November 2022

Background

this study aimed to identify distinct subgroups of trajectories of disability over time before 3 years of death and examine the factors associated with trajectory group membership probabilities among community-dwelling Japanese older adults aged 65 years and above.

Methods

participants included 4,875 decedents from among community-dwelling Japanese older adults, aged ≥ 65 years at baseline (men: 3,020; women: 1,855). The certified long-term care levels of the national long-term care insurance (LTCI) system were used as an index of functional disability. We combined data from the 2010 Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study and data from the 2010 to 2016 LTCI system. Group-based mixture models and multinominal logistic regression models were used for data analysis.

Results

five distinct trajectories of functional disability in the last 3 years of life were identified: ‘persistently severe disability’ (10.3%), ‘persistently mild disability’ (13.0%), ‘accelerated disability’ (12.6%), ‘catastrophic disability’ (18.8%) and ‘minimum disability’ (45.2%). Multinominal logistic regression analysis found several factors associated with trajectory membership; self-rated health was a common predictor regardless of age and gender. The analysis also showed a paradoxical association; higher education was associated with trajectory group membership probabilities of more severe functional decline in men over 85 years at death.

Conclusions

individual perception of health was a strong predictor of trajectories, independent of demographic factors and socio-economic status. Our findings contribute to the development of policies for the long-term care system, particularly for end-of-life care, in Asian countries.
Association of impaired lung function with dementia, and brain magnetic resonance imaging indices: a large population-based longitudinal study
Authors: Zhou Lihui , Yang Hongxi , Zhang Yuan , Li Huiping , Zhang Shunming , Li Dun , Ma Yue , Hou Yabing , Lu Wenli , Wang Yaogang
Published: November 2022

Objective

to examine the association between different patterns of impaired lung function with the incident risk of dementia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based brain structural features.

Methods

in UK Biobank, a total of 308,534 dementia-free participants with valid lung function measures (forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1] and forced vital capacity [FVC]) were included. Association was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression model. Furthermore, the association between impaired lung function and brain MRI biomarkers related to cognitive function was analysed among 30,159 participants.

Results

during a median follow-up of 12.6 years, 3,607 incident all-cause dementia cases were recorded. Restrictive impairment (hazard ratio [HR], 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–1.60) and obstructive impairment (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.15–1.42) were associated with higher risk of all-cause dementia. The restricted cubic splines indicated FEV1% predicted and FVC % predicted had reversed J-shaped associations with dementia. Participants with impaired lung function have higher risks of all-cause dementia across all apolipoprotein E (APOE) risk categories, whereas associations were stronger among those of low APOE risk (P for interaction = 0.034). In addition, restrictive and obstructive impairment were linked to lower total (β: −0.075, SE: 0.021, Pfdr = 0.002; β: −0.033, SE: 0.017, Pfdr = 0.069) and frontoparietal grey matter volumes, higher white matter hyperintensity, poorer white matter integrity, lower hippocampus (β: –0.066, SE: 0.024, Pfdr = 0.017; β: –0.051, SE: 0.019, Pfdr = 0.019) and other subcortical volumes.

Conclusions

participants with restrictive and obstructive impairments had a higher risk of dementia. Brain MRI indices further supported adverse effects and provided insight into potential pathophysiology biomarkers.
Law as Peace (Or Why I Am Still a Hard-Core Positivist)
Authors: Kletzer Christoph
Published: November 2022

The fact that the most prominent brands of positivism and natural law theory, namely their Razian and Finnisian variants, are in agreement about some hitherto hotly contested issues has over the decades become more of an entertaining curio than an actual concern that ruffles any theoretical feathers. Whatever its benefits, this great convergence requires positivism to forfeit much of what has originally made it a theoretically appealing position. One of the many reasons for the curious alignment of positivism with natural law theory has been a focus on the explanatory power and theoretical import of the phenomenon of friendship. If we allow the countervailing forces of enmity to be given their due weight, a different model of law emerges, namely law as peace, which is more resistant to the contortions and ultimate self-abandonment that ensues from the alignment of positivism with natural law theory.
Patient-Reported Outcomes After Reduction Mammoplasty Using BREAST-Q: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Alice T , Panayi Adriana C , Fischer Sebastian , Diehm Yannick F , Tapking Christian , Hundeshagen Gabriel , Kneser Ulrich , Mastroianni Melissa , Pomahac Bohdan , Haug Valentin
Published: November 2022

Background

The BREAST-Q questionnaire reduction module is an established tool for outcomes after reduction mammoplasty.

Objectives

This systematic review and meta-analysis assess key parameters affecting pre- and postoperative scores, with specific foci on patient characteristics and tissue resection weights.

Methods

This study was conducted per PRISMA guidelines. PUBMED (National Institutes of Health; Bethesda, MD), Google Scholar (Google; Mountain View, CA), and Web of Science (Clarivate Analytics; Philadelphia, PA) were searched. All studies published before August 1, 2021, were assessed for eligibility by 2 independent reviewers. Inclusion criteria were prospective or retrospective studies in 6 languages that reported quality of life after reduction mammoplasty employing the BREAST-Q questionnaire reduction module. Quality of included studies was assessed employing the Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale. Analysis was performed per Cochrane Collaboration and the Quality of Reporting of Meta-analyses guidelines.

Results

A total of 28 papers were included in the systematic review, 13 for preoperative meta-analysis, and 17 for postoperative meta-analysis. Postoperative scores in all 3 quality of life domains (psychosocial, physical, and sexual well-being) and satisfaction with breasts increased significantly after reduction mammoplasty compared with preoperative scores. Satisfaction with breasts showed the greatest improvement, from 22.9 to 73.0. Preoperative scores were lower than normative data, with improvement to comparable scores as the healthy population postoperatively. Improvements in BREAST-Q scores did not correlate with patient comorbidities, complication rates, or amount of breast tissue resected.

Conclusions

Reduction mammoplasty provides marked improvement in BREAST-Q patient-reported quality of life as well established in literature. However, these improvements do not correlate with tissue resection weights, warranting further inquiry of insurance-defined resection requirements.

Level of Evidence: 3
Effect of chronic exposure to ketohexoses on pancreatic β-cell function in INS-1 rat insulinoma cells
Authors: Kohara Yuri , Ikai Shuta , Yoshihara Akihide , Murao Koji , Sugiyama Yasunori
Published: November 2022

Glucotoxicity, impaired insulin secretion, suppression of insulin gene expression, and apoptosis, in pancreatic β-cells caused by chronic hyperglycemia is a key component of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Recently, it has been reported that rare sugar d-allulose has antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects in diabetic rats. However, the direct effects of rare sugars including d-allulose on pancreatic β-cell function are unclear. In this study, we investigated whether chronic exposure to ketohexoses causes glucotoxicity, suppression of insulin gene expression, and apoptosis, in INS-1 rat pancreatic insulinoma cells. d-Fructose, d-tagatose, l-allulose, and l-sorbose treatment for 1-week reduced insulin gene expression, whereas d-allulose, d-sorbose, l-fructose, and l-tagatose did not. All ketohexoses were transported into INS-1 cells, but were not metabolized. In addition, the ketohexoses did not induce apoptosis and did not affect glucose metabolism. These results suggest that long-term administration of d-allulose, d-sorbose, l-fructose, and l-tagatose does not affect pancreatic β-cell function.
Range shift and loss of genetic diversity under climate change in the red-backed fairywren (Malurus melanocephalus), an Australian endemic bird species
Authors: Perktaş Utku
Published: November 2022

Climatic variability is the most important force influencing the distribution dynamics of common and widespread species, with significant effects on their current biogeographical patterns. In this study, phylogeography was integrated with ecological niche modelling to understand the range dynamics of an Australian bird species, the red-backed fairywren (Malurus melanocephalus), under various climate change scenarios. Specifically, an ecological niche modelling approach with Bayesian-based phylogeographical analysis was used to develop robust inferences regarding the demographic history of the species. The predictions of the model were mostly consistent with the present distribution of the species. However, under the Last Interglacial bioclimatic conditions, the model predicted a significantly narrower distribution than today, indicating the existence of allopatric refugia. Predictions for the Last Glacial Maximum indicated that the species had a wider distribution, extending northwards. Additionally, predictions for the future (2050 and 2070) indicated that the species will probably have a narrower distribution than at present, which will be shifted eastwards. The extended Bayesian skyline plot analysis, which provides a robust analysis of fluctuations in the effective population size throughout the evolutionary history of a species, produced results highly consistent with the ecological niche modelling predictions for the red-backed fairywren. This is the first study to investigate the Late Quaternary history of an endemic avian taxon from Australia using ecological niche modelling and Bayesian-based demographic analysis.
How pneumatic were the presacral vertebrae of dicraeosaurid (Sauropoda: Diplodocoidea) dinosaurs?
Authors: Windholz Guillermo J , Carballido José L , Coria Rodolfo A , Zurriaguz Virginia L , Rauhut Oliver W M
Published: November 2022

Skeletal pneumaticity implies bone invasion via air sacs that are diverticula of the respiratory system. Among extant vertebrates, this feature is found only in birds, and in extinct taxa it occurs in saurischian dinosaurs and pterosaurs. The sauropod axial skeleton is characterized by having a complex architecture of laminae and fossae that have usually been related to some degree of pneumaticity. We examined the external anatomy of the presacral vertebrae of two dicraeosaurid sauropods holotype specimens, Amargasaurus cazaui and Brachytrachelopan mesai, and obtained computed tomography scan images from mid- and posterior cervical vertebrae of both specimens and an anterior dorsal vertebra of Brachytrachelopan. In all cases, we recognized a ‘procamerate’ internal pneumatization pattern, confirming previous hypotheses that dicraeosaurid vertebral pneumaticity is reduced relative to other eusauropod taxa. Thus, pneumatic diverticula were present in Amargasaurus, Brachytrachelopan, Dicraeosaurus, Pilmatueia and, possibly, other dicraeosaurid sauropods, but these diverticula did not invade their presacral vertebrae extensively. Furthermore, we found that the more pneumatic dicraeosaurid taxa, with some exceptions, occupy a basal position within Dicraeosauridae. There is some variability in pneumaticity among dicraeosaurids from Gondwana, with Pilmatueia achieving the highest degree of pneumatization.
A two-species distribution model for parapatric newts, with inferences on their history of spatial replacement
Authors: Arntzen Jan W
Published: November 2022

Related species often engage in abutting or overlapping contact zones with various strengths of interspecific competition. Biotic interactions such as these preclude the registration of the full profile of environmental variables that would describe the otherwise larger species ranges. Here, I advocate to forego full range species distribution modelling and instead focus on the ecography of the contact zone, for example with ‘two-species distribution models’ (TSDMs), in which presence data are contrasted against the background of environmental data. The newts Triturus cristatus and Triturus marmoratus meet in the west of France. A countrywide TSDM suggests that the contact zone of the species is located at a climatic gradient, in line with their north-eastern vs. south-western ranges. The species are also ecologically segregated by elevation and forestation, which is in line with a documented movement of the contact zone caused by hedgerow removal in lowland areas. Hindcasts for the Holocene suggest that the species contact zone was positioned at either the same place as at present or more to the south, depending on the amount of forestation. A forecast under climate warming predicts a fast movement to the north, but this scenario is deemed unrealistic. One reason is that recent habitat loss compromises dispersal and range expansion. Other species pairs to which TSDMs have been applied are listed for comparison.
Knee osteoarthritis, joint laxity and PROMs following conservative management versus surgical reconstruction for ACL rupture: a meta-analysis
Authors: Migliorini Filippo , Oliva Francesco , Eschweiler Joerg , Torsiello Ernesto , Hildebrand Frank , Maffulli Nicola
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Patients whose rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can be managed conservatively or undergo reconstruction surgery.

Source of data

Current scientific literature published in Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus.

Areas of agreement

Several studies published by July 2022 compare surgical and conservative management following ACL rupture. The latest evidence suggests that surgical management may expose patients to an increased risk of early-onset knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Areas of controversy

The state of art does not recommend a systematic ACL reconstruction to all patients who tore their ACL. After the initial trauma, surgical reconstruction may produce even greater damage to the intra-articular structures compared to conservative management.

Growing points

The state of art does not recommend systematic surgical reconstruction to all patients who tore their ACL. The present study compared surgical reconstruction versus conservative management for primary ACL ruptures in terms of joint laxity, patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and rate of osteoarthritis.

Areas timely for developing research

ACL reconstruction provides significant improvement in joint laxity compared to conservative management, but is associated with a significantly greater rate of knee osteoarthritis, despite similar results at PROM assessment.
Effects of enteral nutrition with different energy supplies on metabolic changes and organ damage in burned rats
Authors: Yang Yong-Jun , Su Sen , Zhang Yong , Wu Dan , Wang Chao , Wei Yan , Peng Xi
Published: November 2022

Background

Enteral nutrition (EN) is an important treatment for burn patients. However, severe gastrointestinal damage caused by major burns often leads to EN intolerance. Trophic EN solves this problem basically, but how to transition from trophic EN to standard EN smoothly is still a challenge in burn clinical nutrition. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of EN with different energy supplies on metabolic changes, organ damage and prognosis in burned rats.

Methods

Different feeding regimens were designed based on the continuous monitoring of resting energy expenditure in rats. Thirty-two Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, burn +50% REE group, burn +75% REE group and burn +100% REE group. At the end of a nutritional treatment cycle (14th day), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, blood biochemistry analysis and quantification of subscab bacteria were performed to explore the differences in metabolic changes, degrees of organ damage and prognoses between the groups.

Results

Sixteen metabolites involving seven metabolic pathways were identified from the different energy supply groups. After burn injury, resting energy consumption and body weight loss increased obviously. Meanwhile, weight loss was inversely related to energy supply. The greatest changes in the degree of organ damage, the level of plasma proteins, lipids and endotoxins, as well as the quantification of subscab bacteria were observed in the 50% REE group, followed by the 75 and 100% groups.

Conclusions

Achieving an early balance between energy supply and expenditure is conducive to mitigating metabolic disorders and improving prognosis after burn injury.
Encoding of conditioned inhibitors of fear in the infralimbic cortex
Authors: Ng Ka H , Sangha Susan
Published: November 2022

Cues in the environment signaling the absence of threat, i.e. safety, can influence both fear and reward-seeking behaviors. Heightened and maladaptive fear is associated with reduced activity in the medial prefrontal cortex. We have previously shown in male rats that the infralimbic (IL) prefrontal cortex is necessary for suppressing fear during a safety cue. The objective of the present study was to determine if there was safety cue-specific neural activity within the IL using a Pavlovian conditioning paradigm, where a fear cue was paired with shock, a safety cue was paired with no shock, and a reward cue was paired with sucrose. To investigate how safety cues can suppress fear, the fear and safety cues were presented together as a compound fear + safety cue. Single-unit activity showed a large proportion of neurons with excitatory responses to the fear + safety cue specifically, a separate group of neurons with excitatory responses to both the reward and fear + safety cues, and bidirectional neurons with excitation to the fear + safety cue and inhibition to the fear cue. Neural activity was also found to be negatively correlated with freezing during the fear + safety cue. Together, these data implicate the IL in encoding specific aspects of conditioned inhibitors when fear is being actively suppressed.
PlagueKD: a knowledge graph–based plague knowledge database
Authors: Li Jin , Gao Jing , Feng Baiyang , Jing Yi
Published: November 2022

Plague has been confirmed as an extremely horrific international quarantine infectious disease attributed to Yersinia pestis. It has an extraordinarily high lethal rate that poses a serious hazard to human and animal lives. With the deepening of research, there has been a considerable amount of literature related to the plague that has never been systematically integrated. Indeed, it makes researchers time-consuming and laborious when they conduct some investigation. Accordingly, integrating and excavating plague-related knowledge from considerable literature takes on a critical significance. Moreover, a comprehensive plague knowledge base should be urgently built. To solve the above issues, the plague knowledge base is built for the first time. A database is built from the literature mining based on knowledge graph, which is capable of storing, retrieving, managing and accessing data. First, 5388 plague-related abstracts that were obtained automatically from PubMed are integrated, and plague entity dictionary and ontology knowledge base are constructed by using text mining technology. Second, the scattered plague-related knowledge is correlated through knowledge graph technology. A multifactor correlation knowledge graph centered on plague is formed, which contains 9633 nodes of 33 types (e.g. disease, gene, protein, species, symptom, treatment and geographic location), as well as 9466 association relations (e.g. disease–gene, gene–protein and disease–species). The Neo4j graph database is adopted to store and manage the relational data in the form of triple. Lastly, a plague knowledge base is built, which can successfully manage and visualize a large amount of structured plague-related data. This knowledge base almost provides an integrated and comprehensive plague-related knowledge. It should not only help researchers to better understand the complex pathogenesis and potential therapeutic approaches of plague but also take on a key significance to reference for exploring potential action mechanisms of corresponding drug candidates and the development of vaccine in the future. Furthermore, it is of great significance to promote the field of plague research. Researchers are enabled to acquire data more easily for more effective research.

Database URL: http://39.104.28.169:18095/
Evolution in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease over the last century: from a crural-centered to a lower esophageal sphincter–centered approach and back
Authors: Mackay Emily M , Louie Brian E
Published: November 2022

The surgical management of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has evolved significantly over the past century, driven by increased understanding of the physiology of the reflux barrier, its anatomic components, and surgical innovation. Initially, emphasis was on reduction of hiatal hernias and crural closure as the etiology behind GERD was felt to be solely related to the anatomic alterations caused by hiatal hernias. With persistence of reflux-related changes in some patients despite crural closure, along with the development of what is now modern manometry and the discovery of a high-pressure zone at the distal esophagus, focus evolved to surgical augmentation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). With this transition to an LES-centric approach, attention shifted to reconstruction of the angle of His, ensuring sufficient intra-abdominal esophageal length, development of the now commonly employed Nissen fundoplication, and creation of devices that directly augment the LES such as magnetic sphincter augmentation. More recently, the role of crural closure in antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery has again received renewed attention due to the persistence of postoperative complications including wrap herniation and high rates of recurrences. Rather than simply preventing transthoracic herniation of the fundoplication as was originally thought, diaphragmatic crural closure has been documented to have a key role in re-establishing intra-abdominal esophageal length and contributing to the restoration of normal LES pressures. This progression from a crural-centric to a LES-centric approach and back has evolved along with our understanding of the reflux barrier and will continue to do so as more advances are made in the field. In this review, we will discuss the evolution of surgical techniques over the past century, highlighting key historical contributions that have shaped our management of GERD today.
The adaptability of the English ayre: secondary polyphonization techniques in Thomas Campion’s Two books of ayres
Authors: Tomova Kalina
Published: November 2022

The performance adaptability of the English ayre creates a unique opportunity for the study of Thomas Campion’s compositional style. Because of the possibility of performing these songs with a range of ensembles, Campion published his Two books of ayres not only with lute tablature and a part for the bass viol, but also with additional inner voices. The examples in this article show how Campion may have used the four-part chords from the lute versions of his songs as a skeleton of the musical texture while creating the additional inner voices. He achieved a more pronounced independence of the parts through methods for secondary polyphonization. The most frequently employed methods include the spreading out of chord notes horizontally, use of passing notes or imitation to fill in beats between chords, and changing the position of a chord. Rhythmic grouping of the parts is used in order to create contrast and diversity in the texture, which are also achieved through the introduction of staggered entries.
Conflicts of interest in electrophysiology and devices presentations
Authors: Camm C F , Crawford W , Prachee I , Olivarius-McAllister J , Schaefer A , Raouf Z , Bello A , Ginks M , Nicol E D
Published: November 2022

Aims

Industry collaboration with arrhythmia and devices research is common. However, this results in conflicts of interest (CoI) for researchers that should be disclosed. This study aimed to examine the quality of CoI disclosures in arrhythmia and devices presentations.

Methods

Recorded presentations from the Arrhythmia & Devices section of the ESC Annual Congress 2016–2020 were assessed. The number of words, conflicts, and time displayed was documented for CoI declarations. Meta-data including sponsorship by an industry partner, presenter sex, and institution were obtained.

Results

Of 1153 presentations assessed, 999 were suitable for inclusion. CoI statements were missing from 7.2% of presentations, and 58% reported ≥1 conflict. Those with conflicts spent less time-per-word on their disclosures (median 150 ms, interquartile range [IQR] 83–273 ms) compared with those without conflicts (median 250 ms, IQR 125–375 ms). One-in-eight presentations were sponsored (12.8%, n = 128). CoI statements were more likely to be missing in sponsored presentations (14.8%, n = 19) compared with non-sponsored presentations (6.1%, n = 53), P = 0.0003. Sponsored presentations contained a greater median number of CoIs (10, IQR 6–18) compared with non-sponsored sessions (1, IQR 0–5), P < 0.0001. Time-per-word spent on COI disclosures was 50% lower in sponsored sessions (125 ms, IQR 75–231 ms) compared with non-sponsored sessions (250 ms, IQR 125–375 ms), P < 0.0001.

Conclusion

The majority of those presenting arrhythmia and devices research have CoIs to declare. Declarations were often missing or displayed for short periods of time. Presenters in sponsored sessions, while being more conflicted, had a lower standard of declaration suggesting a higher risk of potential bias which viewers had insufficient opportunity to assess.
3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices: a single centre experience
Authors: Fluschnik Nina , Tahir Enver , Erley Jennifer , Müllerleile Kai , Metzner Andreas , Wenzel Jan-Per , Guerreiro Helena , Adam Gerhard , Blankenberg Stefan , Kirchhof Paulus , Tönnis Tobias , Nikorowitsch Julius
Published: November 2022

Aims

Three Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides critical imaging information for many conditions. Owing to potential interactions of the magnetic field, it is largely withheld from patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Therefore, we assessed the safety of 3T MRI in patients with ‘3T MRI-conditional’ and ‘non-3T MRI-conditional’ CIEDs.

Methods and results

We performed a retrospective single-centre analysis of clinically indicated 3T MRI examinations in patients with conventional pacemakers, cardiac resynchronization devices, and implanted defibrillators from April 2020 to May 2022. All CIEDs were interrogated and programmed before and after scanning. Adverse events included all-cause death, arrhythmias, loss of capture, inappropriate anti-tachycardia therapies, electrical reset, and lead or generator failure during or shortly after MRI. Changes in signal amplitude and lead impedance were systematically assessed. Statistics included median and interquartile range. A total of 132 MRI examinations were performed on a 3T scanner in 97 patients. Thirty-five examinations were performed in patients with ‘non-3T MRI-conditional’ CIEDs. Twenty-six scans were performed in pacemaker-dependent patients. No adverse events occurred during or shortly after MRI. P-wave or R-wave reductions ≥ 50 and ≥ 25%, respectively, were noted after three (2.3%) scans, all in patients with ‘3T MRI-conditional’ CIEDs. Pacing and shock impedance changed by ± 30% in one case (0.7%). Battery voltage and stimulation thresholds did not relevantly change after MRI.

Conclusion

Pending verification in independent series, our data suggest that clinically indicated MRI scans at 3T field strength should not be withheld from patients with cardiac pacemakers or defibrillators.
Impact of antibiotic perturbation on fecal viral communities in mice
Authors: Moltzau Anderson Jacqueline , Lachnit Tim , Lipinski Simone , Falk-Paulsen Maren , Rosenstiel Philip
Published: November 2022

Viruses and bacteriophages have a strong impact on intestinal barrier function and the composition and functional properties of commensal bacterial communities. Shifts of the fecal virome might be involved in human diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Loss-of-function variants in the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) gene are associated with an increased risk of developing Crohn’s disease, a subtype of human chronic IBD, where specific changes in fecal viral communities have also been described. To improve our understanding of the dynamics of the enteric virome, we longitudinally characterized the virome in fecal samples from wild-type C57BL/6J and NOD2 knock-out mice in response to an antibiotic perturbation. Sequencing of virus-like particles demonstrated both a high diversity and high interindividual variation of the murine fecal virome composed of eukaryotic viruses and bacteriophages. Antibiotics had a significant impact on the fecal murine virome. Viral community composition only partially recovered in the observation period (10 weeks after cessation of antibiotics) irrespective of genotype. However, compositional shifts in the virome and bacteriome were highly correlated, suggesting that the loss of specific phages may contribute to prolonged dysregulation of the bacterial community composition. We suggest that therapeutic interference with the fecal virome may represent a novel approach in microbiota-targeted therapies.
Frequency-dependent AVO inversion applied to physically based models for seismic attenuation
Authors: Ahmed Nisar , Weibull Wiktor Waldemar , Quintal Beatriz , Grana Dario , Bhakta Tuhin
Published: November 2022

Seismic inversion of amplitude versus offset (AVO) data in viscoelastic media can potentially provide high-resolution subsurface models of seismic velocities and attenuation from offset/angle seismic gathers. P- and S-wave quality factors (Q), whose inverse represent a measure of attenuation, depend on reservoir rock and pore fluid properties, in particular, saturation, permeability, porosity, fluid viscosity and lithology; however, these quality factors are rarely taken into account in seismic AVO inversion. For this reason, in this work, we aim to integrate quality factors derived from physically based models in AVO inversion by proposing a gradient descent optimization-based inversion technique to predict the unknown model properties (P- and S-wave velocities, the related quality factors and density). The proposed inversion minimizes the non-linear least-squares misfit with the observed data. The optimal solution is iteratively obtained by optimizing the data misfit using a second-order limited-memory quasi-Newton technique. The forward model is performed in the frequency–frequency-angle domain based on a convolution of broad-band signals and a linearized viscoelastic frequency-dependent AVO (FAVO) equation. The optimization includes the adjoint-state-based gradients with the Lagrangian formulation to improve the efficiency of the non-linear seismic FAVO inversion process. The inversion is tested on synthetic seismic data, in 1-D and 2-D, with and without noise. The sensitivity for seismic quality factors is evaluated using various rock physics models for seismic attenuation and quality factors. The results demonstrate that the proposed inversion method reliably retrieves the unknown elastic and an-elastic properties with good convergence and accuracy. The stability of the inverse solution especially seismic quality factors estimation relies on the noise level of the seismic data. We further investigate the uncertainty of the solution as a function of the variability of the initial models.
Gaussian mixture models reveal highly diverse targeting tactics in a coastal fishing fleet
Authors: Liu Xiaozi , Hansen Cecilie , Nedreaas Kjell , Stockhausen Hans Hagen , Heino Mikko
Published: November 2022

Fishermen make repeated choices with respect to when, where, and how to catch their target species. While these targeting tactics—and the factors shaping them—are known to fishers and some experts, knowledge about them is largely informal and not well utilized for management purposes. To formalize information on targeting tactics, we propose a set of methods combining model-based classification of target species with generalized linear models. We apply these methods to Norwegian coastal fishing vessels that caught Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) as a part of their catch portfolio in 2019. The data contains nearly 32000 fishing trips by 761 vessels. Gaussian mixture models identify eight latent targeting tactics. Cod contributes significantly to three of the tactics. The Herfindahl–Hirschman Index, a measure of vessel-level diversity of tactics, shows that one quarter of the vessels had a specialized strategy (targeting cod plus at most one additional tactic). While cod is often studied as a single-species fishery, we show that cod-catching vessels can be engaged in relatively pure fisheries during some fishing trips but switch to different, often more mixed targets during other trips. We term this as “sequential mixed fisheries”. This is both a challenge and an opportunity for the fisheries management.
Transfusions and early outcomes in anaemic patients undergoing off- or on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting
Authors: Koster Andreas , Zittermann Armin , Gummert Jan F , von Dossow Vera , Deutsch Marcus-André
Published: November 2022

We retrospectively compared transfusion rates and early outcomes in 1621 consecutive patients with preoperative anaemia undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (OPCAB) or on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (ONCAB) surgery using a propensity score analysis with inverse probability of treatment weighting. Endpoints were transfusions, early morbidity, and mortality. Surgeries were performed by 45 dedicated OPCAB and/or ONCAB surgeons during the 10-year study period. Operative data did not differ significantly between study groups with the exception of a more frequent use of bilateral internal mammary artery revascularization approach in OPCAB patients than ONCAB patients. OPCAB was associated with fewer transfusions and lower risk for the need of postoperative renal replacement therapy, but higher risk of wound infections than ONCAB. Perioperative stroke risk and 30-day and 1-year mortality did not differ significantly between the groups. Our data in a ‘real-world setting’ indicate that in patients with preoperative anaemia both ONCAB and OPCAB are feasible surgical approaches regarding early morbidity and mortality.
Childcare attendance and risk of infections in childhood and adolescence
Authors: Søegaard Signe Holst , Spanggaard Maria , Rostgaard Klaus , Kamper-Jørgensen Mads , Stensballe Lone Graff , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Hjalgrim Henrik
Published: November 2022

Background

It has been suggested that the transiently increased infection risk following childcare enrolment is compensated by decreased infection risk later in childhood and adolescence. We investigated how childcare enrolment affected rates of antimicrobial-treated infections during childhood and adolescence.

Methods

In a register-based cohort study of all children born in Denmark 1997–2014 with available exposure information (n = 1 007 448), we assessed the association between childcare enrolment before age 6 years and infection risks up to age 20 years, using antimicrobial exposure as proxy for infections. Nationwide childcare and prescription data were used. We estimated infection rates and the cumulative number of infections using adjusted Poisson regression models.

Results

We observed 4 599 993 independent episodes of infection (antimicrobial exposure) during follow-up. Childcare enrolment transiently increased infection rates; the younger the child, the greater the increase. The resulting increased cumulative number of infections associated with earlier age at childcare enrolment was not compensated by lower infection risk later in childhood or adolescence. Accordingly, children enrolled in childcare before age 12 months had experienced 0.5–0.7 more infections at age 6 years (in total 4.5–5.1 infections) than peers enrolled at age 3 years, differences that persisted throughout adolescence. The type of childcare had little impact on infection risks.

Conclusions

Early age at childcare enrolment is associated with a modest increase in the cumulative number of antimicrobial-treated infections at all ages through adolescence. Emphasis should be given to disrupting infectious disease transmission in childcare facilities through prevention strategies with particular focus on the youngest children.
Use of antihypertensive drugs and risk of cutaneous melanoma: a nationwide nested case-control study
Authors: Ghiasvand Reza , Berge Leon A M , Andreassen Bettina K , Stenehjem Jo S , Heir Trond , Karlstad Øystein , Juzeniene Asta , Larsen Inger K , Green Adele C , Veierød Marit B , Robsahm Trude E
Published: November 2022

Background

Most antihypertensives can induce dermal photosensitivity, which may increase melanoma risk. However, corroborating evidence is limited. We examined the associations between use of antihypertensives and melanoma risk.

Methods

A nationwide nested case-control study was conducted using data from the Cancer Registry of Norway, the National Registry and the Norwegian Prescription Database in 2004–15. Ten controls were randomly selected for each melanoma case, matched on sex and birth year. The study included 12 048 cases and 117 895 controls. We estimated rate ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). All analyses were adjusted for ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR). We additionally performed active comparator analyses, and sensitivity analyses by only including new users, distinguishing between exclusive and mixed users, allowing for different latency periods, and subgroup analyses by melanoma subtype and clinical stage.

Results

Compared with non-use, we observed a slightly increased melanoma risk in users of diuretics (RR 1.08, CI 1.01–1.15), calcium-channel blockers (RR 1.10, CI 1.04–1.18) and drugs affecting the renin-angiotensin system (RR 1.10, CI 1.04–1.16), but not for beta blockers (RR 0.97, CI 0.92–1.03). We found no heterogeneity of associations by melanoma subtype or clinical stage and no dose-response relationship between the cumulative defined daily doses (DDDs) and melanoma. No interaction was found between cumulative DDDs and ambient UVR.

Conclusions

Weak associations, with lack of a dose-response relationship and lack of interactions with ambient UVR, in the DDD analysis in this nationwide study do not support a causal relationship between antihypertensives and melanoma risk.
Digital remains: property or privacy?
Authors: Birnhack Michael , Morse Tal
Published: November 2022

How should the law treat digital remains, namely, digital personal information of deceased people? Two rival conceptions compete over the best framing: property and privacy. Under property framing, digital remains are just another form of assets, subject to succession law; under privacy framing, digital remains are personal data, and upon death, are not part of the estate. However, whether privacy rights survive death is contested. This article distinguishes between four legal categories of digital remains (intangible items, information about property, intellectual property and personal data), unpacks the two rival framings, and argues that the property framework captures the first three categories of digital remains, but not the last. The article examines the argument for posthumous privacy and concludes that at most, the law should protect reasonable expectations of the living regarding their post-mortem condition, subject to balancing them with competing interests and rights of the living.
Vaccination with the Omicron spike RBD boosts broadly neutralizing antibody levels and confers sustained protection even after acquiring immunity to the original antigen
Authors: Azuma Hitoshi , Kawano Yohei , Shitaoka Kiyomi , Kawahara Takahiro , Ito Ayano , Higashiura Akifumi , Kitajima Yasuo , Ohki Shun , Yasuda Tomoharu
Published: November 2022

The immune evasion of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants caused by multiple amino acid replacements in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein wanes the effectiveness of antibodies elicited by current SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination. The vaccines that target Omicron strains have been recently developed, however, there has been a concern yet to be addressed regarding the negative aspect of the immune response known as original antigenic sin. Here, we demonstrate that the breadth of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants is barely elicited by immunizing monovalent viral antigens via vaccination or natural infection in mice and human subjects. However, vaccination of Omicron BA.1 RBD to pre-immunized mice with the original RBD conferred sustained neutralizing activity to BA.1 and BA.2 not only original pseudoviruses. The acquisition of neutralizing antibody breadth was further confirmed in vaccinated-then-Omicron convalescent human sera in which neutralizing activity against BA.1 and BA.2 pseudoviruses was highly induced. Thus, our data suggest that Omicron-specific vaccines or the infection with Omicron viruses can boost potent neutralizing antibodies to the Omicron variants even in the host pre-vaccinated with the original antigen.
Applications of the hollow-fibre infection model (HFIM) in viral infection studies
Authors: Kembou-Ringert Japhette E , Readman John , Smith Claire M , Breuer Judith , Standing Joseph F
Published: November 2022

Conventional cell culture systems involve growing cells in stationary cultures in the presence of growth medium containing various types of supplements. At confluency, the cells are divided and further expanded in new culture dishes. This passage from confluent monolayer to sparse cultures does not reflect normal physiological conditions and represents quite a drastic physiological change that may affect the natural cell physiobiology. Hollow-fibre bioreactors were in part developed to overcome these limitations and since their inception, they have widely been used in production of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant proteins. These bioreactors are increasingly used to study antibacterial drug effects via simulation of in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles. The use of the hollow-fibre infection model (HFIM) in viral infection studies is less well developed and in this review we have analysed and summarized the current available literature on the use of these bioreactors, with an emphasis on viruses. Our work has demonstrated that this system can be applied for viral expansion, studies of drug resistance mechanisms, and studies of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) of antiviral compounds. These platforms could therefore have great applications in large-scale vaccine development, and in studies of mechanisms driving antiviral resistance, since the HFIM could recapitulate the same resistance mechanisms and mutations observed in vivo in clinic. Furthermore, some dosage and spacing regimens evaluated in the HFIM system, as allowing maximal viral suppression, are in line with clinical practice and highlight this ‘in vivo-like’ system as a powerful tool for experimental validation of in vitro-predicted antiviral activities.