bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SICGNN: structurally informed convolutional graph neural networks for protein classification
Authors: Lee YongHyun , Kim Eunchan , Choi Jiwoong , Lee Changhyun
Published: November 2024

Recently, graph neural networks (GNNs) have been widely used in various domains, including social networks, recommender systems, protein classification, molecular property prediction, and genetic networks. In bioinformatics and chemical engineering, considerable research is being actively conducted to represent molecules or proteins on graphs by conceptualizing atoms or amino acids as nodes and the relationships between nodes as edges. The overall structures of proteins and their interconnections are crucial for predicting and classifying their properties. However, as GNNs stack more layers to create deeper networks, the embeddings between nodes may become excessively similar, causing an oversmoothing problem that reduces the performance for downstream tasks. To avoid this, GNNs typically use a limited number of layers, which leads to the problem of reflecting only the local structure and neighborhood information rather than the global structure of the graph. Therefore, we propose a structurally informed convolutional GNN (SICGNN) that utilizes information that can express the overall topological structure of a protein graph during GNN training and prediction. By explicitly including information of the entire graph topology, the proposed model can utilize both local neighborhood and global structural information. We applied the SICGNN to representative GNNs such as GraphSAGE, graph isomorphism network, and graph attention network, and confirmed performance improvements across various datasets. We also demonstrate the robustness of SICGNN using multiple stratified 10-fold cross-validations and various hyperparameter settings, and demonstrate that its accuracy is comparable or better than those of existing GNN models.
Role of the heterogenous structure of ZnO/MnFeO3 in enhancing Bi-functional electrocatalyst for alkaline water electrolysis
Authors: Sadanandan Malavika , Chauhan Tushar , Haldar Krishna Kanta
Published: November 2024

An electrocatalyst, Zn-doped 3D porous MnFeO3, is developed and investigated for its efficacy in alkaline water electrolysis. The electrocatalyst is synthesized through a sol–gel method and characterized comprehensively. Incorporating zinc (Zn) doping enhances the electrocatalytic activity of the MnFeO3 structure, rendering it suitable for bifunctional performance in alkaline water electrolysis. The Zn-doped 3D porous MnFeO3 was studied electrochemically, and the results showed that it has a very low overpotential of 460 mV for OER and 441 mV for HER in order to achieve a current density of 100 mA cm−2, conducted in a 1 M KOH medium. The catalyst’s porous 3D structure offers a large surface area, enhancing its ability to interact with the electrolyte and promote H2 and O2 gas evolution. The Zn-doped 3D porous MnFeO3 exhibits improved stability for 24 h, with only a 17% loss in current density at 10 mA cm−2. The electrochemical performance of the Zn-doped 3D porous MnFeO3 electrocatalyst is evaluated through various electrochemical techniques, highlighting its promising potential for practical applications in alkaline water electrolysis systems.
Introduction
Authors: Reddy Y V , Ray Partha , Chakraborty Pinaki
Published: November 2024

The book describes the observed linkages between finance and fiscal issues in the context of macroeconomic uncertainties and crises. It attempts to explore emerging issues in the policies relating to the management of public debt, central banking, taxation, and regulation of the financial sector. In view of their contemporary relevance, issues relating to sovereign debt restructuring and sub-national finance arising from the crisis are also discussed. In brief, the book argues that an important lesson for public policy is that sound fiscal management is at the heart of maintaining financial stability consistent with growth. Further, sound fiscal management demands adequate space for the conduct of public policy at the national level, while navigating the forces of globalization, in particular of finance. An equally complex challenge is to reconcile the considerable advantages of independence of monetary authorities and regulators with the compulsions of coordination of public policies, without ignoring the criticality of fiscal policies.
Background
Authors: Reddy Y V , Ray Partha , Chakraborty Pinaki
Published: November 2024

What started as a sub-prime crisis in the US residential mortgage market in 2007, impacted the global economy after the fall of the investment bank Lehman Brothers in September 2008 and emerged as a global financial crisis. The immediate solution to handling the crisis was in terms of an expansionary monetary and fiscal stimulus. Thus, in order to discuss the implications for financial and fiscal policies, this chapter looks into the global financial crisis, its genesis, and its solution package. Specifically, this chapter seeks to give, by way of background, a broad overview of the causes of the crisis; its global fiscal impact; responses to the crisis and their fiscal implications, including the larger fiscal consequences on public debt.
Response to the Crisis and Fiscal Implications
Authors: Reddy Y V , Ray Partha , Chakraborty Pinaki
Published: November 2024

This chapter concerns itself primarily with the responses to the crises and their fiscal implications. The chapter presents a broad canvas of the responses to the global financial crisis and the pandemic, both monetary and fiscal, its implications for public finances and the fisc, effectiveness of the measures, policy issues including exit strategies for retreating from them, and lessons from both the crises. Unevenness in economic recovery and its implications on fiscal management would only be known in the medium term. Available evidence suggests that it would take some time for the debt ratio to decline to the pre-pandemic level. The global economy is faced with high inflation, high debt, a weak fisc, uncertainties due to the war between Russia and Ukraine and other geopolitical risks.
Euro Area Economies
Authors: Reddy Y V , Ray Partha , Chakraborty Pinaki
Published: November 2024

This chapter gives an account of the genesis of the crisis in the euro area economies with emphasis on the crisis-ridden GIIPS (Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) countries, as well as the impact of the pandemic. While concentrating on the crisis-ridden euro area economies, it notes that apart from the crisis-ridden GIIPS countries the crisis engulfed non-euro area but European Union (EU) member countries like Iceland (initially) and the UK and Cyprus. Among the GIIPS countries, the diagnosis was by no means uniform. The Greek tragedy can be primarily traced to fiscal profligacy fuelled by the private financial sector’s myopia that chose to ignore the internal fundamental differences among the euro area countries in the hope of a bailout in the event of a crisis. In some sense, the root cause of the Irish crisis can be found in the inadequate risk management practices of the Irish banks and the failure of the financial regulator to supervise these practices effectively. While the global financial crisis had a marginal impact on Portugal, in an already deteriorating debt-deficit situation coupled with low productivity–low growth syndrome, such marginal impact was amplified. Italy, often described as the ‘sick man of Europe’, had one of the largest public debts in the EU and ranked third in the world in 2007.
India
Authors: Reddy Y V , Ray Partha , Chakraborty Pinaki
Published: November 2024

Despite the near-zero exposure of Indian banks, given the extent of globalization, India was affected by the global financial crisis. Also, during the pandemic, Indian authorities have undertaken a substantial fiscal stimulus. Hence, given our interests and location, Chapter 7 delves into the implications of the ongoing global crisis for the Indian fiscal situation in terms of its crisis resilience and the impact on fiscal space. Documenting the monetary and fiscal elements of the Indian stimulus package, the chapter hints at the structural weaknesses of the Indian fiscal situation. It further argues that despite the small size of the Indian stimulus package (in comparison to other countries) the fiscal space in India was rather meagre. Furthermore, coupled with the problem of twin deficits, a major factor that did not expose India to the whims and fancies of the sovereign debt market was its avoidance of original sin, whereby India’s public debt was primarily rupee denominated. However, in line with India’s policy of calibrated financial and external sector liberalization, while households, governments, and even the financial sector had manageable exposure to foreign currency liabilities, the same is perhaps not true for the larger entities in the Indian corporate sector. Thus, in the days to come, issues relating to exposure to foreign currency liabilities and fiscal prudence may turn out to be more important than before.
Fiscal Implications and Central Banking
Authors: Reddy Y V , Ray Partha , Chakraborty Pinaki
Published: November 2024

Recognizing that most operations of central banks have fiscal implications, this chapter looks into issues related to fiscal implications and central banking. Since central banks, particularly in advanced economies, permitted excess liquidity by adopting relatively loose monetary policy as they focused excessively on inflation or price stability and neglected credit booms and asset bubbles, they cannot be absolved of their role in the crisis. However, there are elements of the country-specificity in this regard. But in almost all the countries, central banks played the role of an activist in mitigating the fallout of the crises. During all these crises there followed an enormous bloating of the central bank balance sheets. Admittedly, in their role in rescue operations, there was close coordination with the fiscal authorities. While there is a general consensus that in managing the crises all central banks succeeded in avoiding the collapse of financial markets, there are allegations that in doing so, central banks in systemically important advanced economies undertook extraordinary monetary measures, involving significant fiscal costs. In the new normal, the role of central banks is expected to be different from that in the pre-crisis era. The mandate of central banks is being widened to formally include financial stability and this wider mandate may warrant several judgements and trade-offs, requiring a greater role for discretion in monetary policy.
Emerging Challenges
Authors: Reddy Y V , Ray Partha , Chakraborty Pinaki
Published: November 2024

This chapter highlights the emerging challenges for public policies in general, in view of the confluence of health of financial and fiscal aspects of national economies. The links between fiscal management, financial regulation, and conduct of monetary policy are closer than were perceived by policy circles before the global financial crisis and the pandemic. There are efforts to put in place appropriate institutional arrangements at the national level to ensure coordination between such policies, keeping in view the objective of financial stability. Since growth and financial stability are closely linked, in particular in the case of developing economies, the institutional arrangements may have to consider the related issues of employment and output. However, in designing such arrangements for coordination, there is a danger that the focus of institutions such as central bank and financial regulators will get diluted. It is also possible that accountability will be difficult to enforce in the absence of well-defined objectives and operational freedom to each of the institutions to pursue such objectives. This is a complex reality that has to be faced by each country in devising both institutional arrangements and policy parameters for such coordination. Notwithstanding the limitation of the global monetary non-system, monetary policies of different nations are getting increasingly inter-linked due to the inter-linked nature of financial systems, where Wall Street has huge influence on the financial markets world over. All these have significant implications, of differing degrees, for the financial and fiscal policies, directly or indirectly.
Comparative Effectiveness of Lercanidipine and Amlodipine on Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Hypertensive Patients
Authors: Jeon Jinsung , Ryoo Sunwoo , Oh Seungmi , Hong Soon Jun , Yu Cheol Woong , Kim Yong Hyun , Kim Eung Ju , Joo Hyung Joon
Published: November 2024

BACKGROUND

Lercanidipine, a newer-generation calcium channel blocker, is recognized for its effective antihypertensive properties and reduced side effects. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of lercanidipine and amlodipine in preventing major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in hypertensive patients.

METHODS

A multicenter, retrospective observational study was conducted using the electronic medical records database from 3 tertiary hospitals in South Korea between 2017 and 2021. Hypertensive patients treated with either amlodipine or lercanidipine were analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized to minimize confounders, matching patients in a 3:1 ratio. The primary endpoint was the incidence of MACE, a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure hospitalizations, and coronary revascularization over a 3-year follow-up period.

RESULTS

A total of 47,640 patients were evaluated, and 6,029 patients were matched. Before PSM, the lercanidipine group had a higher cardiovascular risk (SCORE-2/SCORE-2OP value: 11.6% ± 9.2 vs. 10.9% ± 8.8, P < 0.01) and a higher incidence of MACE compared to the amlodipine group (4.1% vs. 3.4%, P < 0.01). After PSM, the incidence of MACE was numerically lower in the lercanidipine group compared to the amlodipine group (2.8% vs. 4.1%, P = 0.11), though this difference was not statistically significant. Blood pressure control remained comparable between the 2 groups over the 3-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

Lercanidipine demonstrated comparable effectiveness to amlodipine in preventing MACE among hypertensive patients. Given its comparable antihypertensive efficacy and potential for fewer side effects based on prior studies, lercanidipine may be considered a preferable option for hypertension management.
Measuring improvements in occupational health and safety in the artificial stone benchtop industry
Authors: Hore-Lacy Fiona , Gwini Stella May , Dimitriadis Christina , Jimenez-Martin Javier , Hoy Ryan F , Fisher Jane , Sim Malcolm R , Walker-Bone Karen , Glass Deborah C
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Workers in the stone benchtop industry in Australia are at high risk of silicosis due to exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) from the dry processing of artificial stone. In Victoria, Australia, a multifaceted response including education, regulatory changes, inspection site visits, and occupational health screening programme began in 2019. We aimed to review the success of this approach to safety practices in the industry.

Methods

Data were available from 2 sources: first, responses provided by workers during their occupational health screening (2019 to 2024), which included a systematic occupational history. Jobs examined included roles in the stone benchtop industry with RCS exposure and were analysed in relation to reported safety practices pre and postregulatory changes in August 2019, which prohibited unrestricted dry cutting. Second, data were obtained from the Regulator describing the numbers of visits to industry worksites and the numbers and types of compliance notices issued between 2018 and 2024.

Results

In total, 1921 jobs from 1007 workers were eligible for analysis, of which 869 were prior to the 2019 regulatory change and 557 commenced after. The proportion of workers reporting “never” dry cutting rose from 17.3% to 67.2% (P < 0.001), use of recommended ventilation and respirator increased from 26.0% to 36.5% (P < 0.001), and 44.9% to 86.5% (P < 0.001), respectively. Of the 543 worksites visited (2757 site visits in total), 352 (64.8%) received at least one compliance notice and the types of notices varied over time. Administrative controls/housekeeping and health monitoring notices were the most common in 2019 to 2021 but tools/equipment notices increased substantially in 2022 onwards.

Discussion

Prior to the changes, a large proportion of jobs involved unrestricted dry processing of artificial stone with inadequate protection. After the changes, practices improved although some jobs continued to involve dry processing without adequate control of dust.

Conclusions

This multifaceted approach vastly improved safety practices in the stone benchtop industry over 5 years. These data are relevant to occupational health and safety professionals and regulators in countries where artificial stone is used and potentially for implementation of new measures in response to a new workplace hazard in future.
Liposuction Port-Site Protection: Necessity or Needless Expense?
Authors: Moyer Hunter R , Sisson Kayla M
Published: November 2024

Background

Liposuction is the most common cosmetic plastic surgery procedure in the United States, and lipo-aspiration for fat grafting is gaining in popularity. The results are effective, but complications include seroma, contour irregularities, skin necrosis, and even death. Scarring, dehiscence, and infection at the port site, although minor, are a common and less-discussed problem. To date, no study has examined the local complication profile of patients treated with and without port-site protection.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy of silicone port protectors to decrease local complications after liposuction.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed on 60 consecutive patients treated for cosmetic liposuction or autologous fat transfer between August 2022 and March 2024. The first 30 patients underwent tumescent-based lipo-aspiration without port-site protectors and the following 30 with placement of a segment of suction tubing to protect the skin. Records were reviewed to determine patient demographics, amount of tumescent and aspirate, and complications at the port site.

Results

Sixty patients completed the study. There were no significant differences in patient demographics and surgical data between groups. Ten patients in the unprotected group and 2 in the protected group experienced port-site complications (33.3% vs 6.7%, P = .0093). Significantly more patients in the unprotected group experienced wound dehiscence (P = .0095), and there was a trend toward more patients requiring steroid injections and excisions and reclosures (P = .088 and .167, respectively).

Conclusions

In this cohort, patients treated with a port protection device suffered fewer local complications, requiring less wound management, steroid injections, and revisions.

Level of Evidence: 3 (Therapeutic)
Virtual tissue expression analysis
Authors: Simeth Jakob , Hüttl Paul , Schön Marian , Nozari Zahra , Huttner Michael , Schmidt Tobias , Altenbuchinger Michael , Spang Rainer
Published: November 2024

Motivation

Bulk RNA expression data are widely accessible, whereas single-cell data are relatively scarce in comparison. However, single-cell data offer profound insights into the cellular composition of tissues and cell type-specific gene regulation, both of which remain hidden in bulk expression analysis.

Results

Here, we present tissueResolver, an algorithm designed to extract single-cell information from bulk data, enabling us to attribute expression changes to individual cell types. When validated on simulated data tissueResolver outperforms competing methods. Additionally, our study demonstrates that tissueResolver reveals cell type-specific regulatory distinctions between the activated B-cell-like (ABC) and germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL).

Availability and implementation

R package available at https://github.com/spang-lab/tissueResolver (archived as 10.5281/zenodo.14160846).

Code for reproducing the results of this article is available at https://github.com/spang-lab/tissueResolver-docs archived as swh:1:dir:faea2d4f0ded30de774b28e028299ddbdd0c4f89).
Incidence and patterns of newly developed pigmented lesions in adults at high risk for melanoma
Authors: Wolber Anna K , Jayasinghe Dilki , Betz-Stablein Brigid , Janda Monika , Soyer H Peter , Kittler Harald
Published: November 2024

The appearance of new pigmented lesions in adults at high risk of melanoma seems to occur randomly and is not restricted to UVR-exposed areas. Most evolving lesions are benign; however, new lesions that appear on photodamaged skin should be approached with greater caution.
New insights into the classification, diversification, and evolutionary dynamics of bromeliads
Authors: Kessous Igor M , Farooq Harith , Testo Weston , Jiménez María Fernanda T , Neves Beatriz , Pinto Alessandra R , Salgueiro Fabiano , Costa Andrea F , Bacon Christine D
Published: November 2024

The Neotropics have been host to a myriad of geological and climatic events that have shaped the biodiversity present in the region. Bromeliaceae forms one of the most prominent components of the Neotropical flora, being considered the largest group nearly exclusive to the Americas, with almost 4000 species divided into eight subfamilies. Here, we utilize a new time-calibrated molecular phylogeny including 1268 bromeliad taxa and integrate habitat and morphological data to answer the following questions: (i) Are bromeliad subfamilies monophyletic, and did Neogene and Quaternary events in South America coincide with their divergence? (ii) Did naked seeds of berry-fruited species, epiphytic growth, and climatic factors increase bromeliad diversification? Our analysis reconstructed a new topology concerning some recently diverged lineages, with the genus Bromelia emerging as the sister group of a clade including all remaining Bromelioideae lineages + Puyoideae. Miocene events possibly triggered the diversification of bromeliads after a long period of stasis during the Palaeogene. We hypothesize that the morphological shift between Bromelia and Bromelioideae (except Bromelia) is related to the colonization of a new high-elevation environment by Puyoideae in the Andes. Additionally, our results show that naked seeds and the epiphytic growth form positively influence diversification rate, while precipitation, temperature, and elevation have a negative influence. We emphasize the importance of considering a variety of morphological and ecological features to enhance our understanding of bromeliad evolution.
Temporal dysregulation of the somatomotor network in agitated depression
Authors: Liang Qunjun , Xu Ziyun , Chen Shengli , Lin Shiwei , Lin Xiaoshan , Li Ying , Zhang Yingli , Peng Bo , Hou Gangqiang , Qiu Yingwei
Published: November 2024

Agitated depression (A-MDD) is a severe subtype of major depressive disorder, with an increased risk of suicidality and the potential to evolve into bipolar disorder. Despite its clinical significance, the neural basis remains unclear. We hypothesize that psychomotor agitation, marked by pressured speech and racing thoughts, is linked to disruptions in brain dynamics. To test this hypothesis, we examined brain dynamics using time delay estimation and edge-centre time series, as well as dynamic connections between the somatomotor network (SMN) and the default mode network in 44 patients with A-MDD, 75 with non-agitated MDD (NA-MDD), and 94 healthy controls. Our results revealed that the neural co-activity duration was shorter in the A-MDD group compared with both the NA-MDD and controls (A-MDD versus NA-MDD: t = 2.295; A-MDD versus controls: t = 2.192, all P < 0.05). In addition, the dynamic of neural fluctuation in SMN altered in the A-MDD group than in the NA-MDD group (t = −2.616, P = 0.011) and was correlated with agitation severity (β = −0.228, P = 0.011). The inter-network connection was reduced in the A-MDD group compared with the control group (t = 2.102, P = 0.037), especially at low-amplitude time points (t = 2.139, P = 0.034). These findings indicate rapid neural fluctuations and disrupted dynamic coupling between the SMN and default mode network in A-MDD, potentially underlying the psychomotor agitation characteristic of this subtype. These insights contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the heterogeneity of depression and have implications for differential diagnosis and treatment strategies.
A fully phased, chromosome-scale genome of sugar beet line FC309 enables the discovery of Fusarium yellows resistance QTL
Authors: Todd Olivia E , Simpson Sheron , Scheffler Brian , Dorn Kevin M
Published: November 2024

Sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) is a global source of table sugar and animal fodder. Here we report a highly contiguous, haplotype phased genome assembly and annotation for sugar beet line FC309. Both assembled haplomes for FC309 represent the largest and most contiguous assembled beet genomes reported to date, as well as gene annotations sets that capture over 1,500 additional protein-coding loci compared to prior beet genome annotations. These new genomic resources were used to identify novel quantitative trait loci (QTL) for Fusarium yellows resistance from the FC309 genetic background using an F2 mapping-by-sequencing approach. The highest QTL signals were detected on Chromosome 3, spanning approximately 10Mbp in both haplomes. A parallel transcriptome profiling experiment identified candidate genes within the Chromosome 3 QTL with plausible roles in disease response, including NBS-LRR genes with expression trends supporting a role in resistance. Investigation of genetic variants in these candidate genes found 1 major disease-resistance protein containing high-effect variants of interest. Collectively, the genomic resources for FC309 presented here are foundational tools for comparative genomics, mapping other traits in the FC309 background, and as a reference genome for other beet studies due to its contiguity, completeness, and high-quality gene annotations.
Development of an Automated Tool for the Estimation of Histological Remission in Ulcerative Colitis Using Single-Wavelength Endoscopy Technology
Authors: Sinonquel Pieter , Lenfant Matthias , Eelbode Tom , Watanabe Hiroki , Callaerts Belian , Bossuyt Peter , Verstockt Bram , Sabino João Pedro Guedelha , De Hertogh Gert , Maes Frederik , Vermeire Séverine , Bisschops Raf
Published: November 2024

Background and Aims

Ulcerative colitis (UC) management employs a strategy targeting histological and endoscopic remission. Correlation of white light endoscopy (WLE) scores with histological activity is limited. Single-wavelength endoscopy (SWE), addressing microvascular changes reflecting histological disease activity, may better assess histological remission. Our goal was to assess the accuracy of a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for histological activity estimation in UC, based on either WLE or SWE.

Methods

We collected 6926 sets of corresponding WLE and SWE frames in 112 patients with UC, using a prototype endoscopic system enabling both imaging methods (FUJIFILM, Tokyo, Japan). Histological remission (Geboes score ≤ 2B.0) assessed at the location of imaging was annotated for all frames, and separate WLE-CAD and SWE-CAD models were trained using deep learning for automated detection of histological remission with either imaging modality.

Results

Initial training of both models on the same subset of 42 patients resulted in SWE-CAD outperforming WLE-CAD with a mean sensitivity of 88.0% vs 73.9% (p < 0.001), a mean specificity of 71.7% vs 65.6% (p = 0.45), and a diagnostic accuracy of 83.3% vs 67.5% (p < 0.005), respectively. Consecutive training of the SWE-CAD model on the entire dataset (112 patients) resulted in an accuracy of 95.2%, sensitivity of 96.4%, and specificity of 92.9% on a section level.

Conclusions

By utilizing automated CAD based on non-magnifying SWE for enhanced capillary visibility vs WLE, histological remission was detected with 95.2% diagnostic accuracy in patients with UC, offering stable objectivity and helping to exclude inter-reader variability.
Percutaneous coil embolization of a post-traumatic left anterior descending coronary artery pseudoaneurysm: a case report
Authors: Espinoza Joaquin , Byer Marina , Vasquez Moises , Yavagal Dileep R , Chatzizisis Yiannis S
Published: November 2024

Background

Coronary artery pseudoaneurysm (PSA) is a rare occurrence linked to percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs), infection, or chest trauma, lacking established management guidelines due to its low incidence.

Case summary

A 78-year-old male with a medical history of triple vessel disease, post coronary artery bypass grafting, heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, presented with intractable left-sided chest pain following a mechanical fall. The initial workup was positive for mildly elevated high-sensitivity troponin and brain natriuretic peptide raising suspicion for a pulmonary embolism; but chest computed tomography angiography revealed an enlarging pericardial haematoma. Further computed tomographic coronary angiography exposed a mid-left anterior descending (LAD) interrupted segment concerning for a contained ruptured PSA. Left heart catheterization confirmed the suspicion, showing a collection of contrast at the haematoma site following injection of contrast into the saphenous vein graft to the diagonal artery. The patient underwent percutaneous PSA coiling, successfully occluding blood inflows from both the first diagonal and distal LAD. There were no subsequent electrocardiogram changes or further elevation in troponin levels ensuring the integrity of the LAD vital branches.

Discussion

Coronary PSA results from the dissection of at least one layer of the vessel wall leading to blood extravasation. Although they are usually associated with PCI complications, the absence of haemopericardium in prior imaging makes the recent blunt chest trauma the most likely cause of this patient’s presentation. Percutaneous coiling of inflow vessels to PSAs proved to be a suitable option in this case of a patient with a history of sternotomy and an expanding pericardial haematoma.
Giant aneurysmal degeneration after subintimal fluoropolymer-coated paclitaxel-eluting stent implantation for the superficial femoral artery occlusion: a case report
Authors: Miwa Kenji , Minamikawa Ryusuke , Iida Osamu , Furusho Hiroshi , Yasuda Toshihiko
Published: November 2024

Background

Drug-eluting therapies remarkably reduce the incidence of restenosis and have revolutionized endovascular strategies for femoropopliteal lesions in patients with peripheral artery disease, nevertheless, concerns have arisen over the risk of aneurysmal degeneration after using an Eluvia polymer-based drug-eluting stent (DES).

Case summary

We present a case of an 80-year-old male who developed a giant aneurysm long-term after Eluvia implantation. He noticed a pulsatile mass in his thigh without any decrease in the ankle-brachial index 27 months after subintimal DES placement for superficial femoral artery (SFA) chronic total occlusion. Duplex ultrasonography (DUS) showed a giant cavity outside the vessel and a to-and-fro flow between the cavity and the SFA at the Elvia stents overlapped in the subintimal space. Endovascular-covered stents successfully sealed the cavity and reduced the size of the aneurysm at follow-up DUS.

Discussion

The aneurysmal degeneration, the so-called ‘low echoic area’ around the stent by ultrasound, is a relatively common finding after Eluvia DES implantation. It is thought to have little association with clinical events up to 2 years, however, the nature of this phenomenon remains unclear, and some cases present with clinical worsening. In this case, the development of a giant aneurysm could be induced by the overlapping stent not only by the local drug and polymer overdose but also by the increased mechanical force exerted against the fragile outer wall of the subintimal structure.
Association of modifiable lifestyle risk factors with high-sensitivity troponin T and I concentrations and clinical outcomes
Authors: Bay Benjamin , Pieper Luise , Goßling Alina , Kaatze Kevin , Kellner Caroline , Arnold Natalie , Blaum Christopher , Rohde Julia , Köster Lukas , Lorenz Thiess , Zeller Tanja , Blankenberg Stefan , Waldeyer Christoph , Brunner Fabian J
Published: November 2024

Aims

We aimed to investigate the association between the burden of modifiable lifestyle risk factors (modLRF) with high-sensitivity cardiac troponins T and I (hsTnT/I) and clinical outcomes in a contemporary cohort.

Methods and results

Patients undergoing coronary angiography with available hsTnT/I concentrations and information about modLRF were included in the current single-centre study. The modLRF investigated were overweight, lack of physical activity, poor adherence to a Mediterranean diet, and current smoking. To evaluate the impact of modLRF on hsTnT/I levels, a linear regression model was used. A Cox regression analysis was computed to investigate the association of hsTnT/I levels with clinical outcomes, stratified by the burden of modLRF, and a C-index was calculated to investigate the additive predictive benefit of the integration of hsTn on top of a base model containing modLRF only. Outcomes of interest were all-cause mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). In the overall study population of n = 1716 patients, the median troponin levels were 15.0 ng/L (Interquartile [IQR] 8.0, 29.0) and 7.6 ng/L (IQR 3.3, 18.6) for hsTnT and I, respectively. An increasing number of modLRF were independently associated with elevated hsTnT and I concentrations. Moreover, hsTnT and hsTnI were independently associated with all-cause mortality in patients with 1–2 and ≥3 modLRF, and an incremental value of the integration of hsTnT and hsTnI was noted, especially in the prediction of all-cause mortality. Lastly, an independent association of hsTnI with MACE was documented in patients with 1–2 modLRF, which was not the case for hsTnT.

Conclusion

Increasing numbers of modLRF are associated with elevated concentrations of hsTnT and I, whilst the predictive capability of troponins varied according to the presence of modLRF. Further prospective studies are needed to investigate whether targeting modLRF might result in lower hsTn concentrations and improved outcomes.

Lay summary

This study investigated whether certain lifestyle risk factors, such as being overweight, lack of exercise, current smoking, and a poor diet, affect the levels of specific heart damage markers in the blood (high-sensitivity troponins T and I) as well as clinical outcomes. Patients with a number burden of unhealthy lifestyle factors had higher levels of both heart damage markers in their blood.How well troponin blood levels could predict health outcomes varied significantly based on a number of lifestyle risk factors.
Aortic dimension in elite athletes: updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Carbone Andreina , Monda Emanuele , Ferrara Francesco , Franzese Monica , Bottino Roberta , Russo Valentina , Cirillo Chiara , Rega Salvatore , Cittadini Antonio , Pelliccia Antonio , Limongelli Giuseppe , Bossone Eduardo
Published: November 2024

Aims

To assess the presence and the extent of an ‘aortic remodelling’ in elite athletes.

Methods and results

A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature were conducted for studies (1981–2024) reporting echocardiographic aortic diameters of elite athletes compared with non-athlete healthy controls. Among the 5494 studies retrieved, 21 (9464 elite athletes vs. 2637 non-athlete controls) fulfilled all eligibility criteria. Data were aggregated using a random-effects model for estimating the pooled risk ratio and mean difference (MD). Absolute aortic diameters at the sinus of Valsalva (AoSV) were higher in overall elite athletes compared with non-athlete healthy controls {MD 1.69 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–2.37] mm; P < 0.001} and if stratified to sex. This difference was maintained if AoSV was indexed to height (AoSV/h) [MD 0.04 (95% CI −0.00–0.08) mm/m; effect size 2.18 (95% CI 1.10–3.26); P < 0.001]. The analysis of AoSV/h according to sex was not performed for the paucity of studies. However, when indexed to body surface area (AoSV/BSA), no differences were found between the two groups [MD 0.04 (95% CI −0.25–0.34) mm/m2; P = 0.880], also according to sex. Above findings were not influenced by age.

Conclusion

Absolute AoSV was mildly larger in athletes compared with non-athlete healthy controls, even when indexed to height. However, no differences were evident when indexed by BSA, irrespective of sex, type of sport, and age. Therefore, assessment of the aortic size in elite athletes should consider the proper normalization in order to avoid misdiagnosis of aortopathies.

Registration

PROSPERO: CRD42024561255

Lay summary

Aortic diameters evaluation in athletes represents an important topic in cardiology and the knowledge about the aortic remodelling driven by intense exercise would allow for the correct management of athletes by differentiating those with pathologic enlargement from those with physiologic adaptation. This comprehensive meta-analysis highlights mildly larger absolute aortic diameters at the sinus of Valsalva diameters in elite athletes compared with non-athlete healthy controls, even when indexed to height. However, no differences were evident when indexed by body surface area, irrespective of sex, type of sport, and age.Assessment of the aortic size in elite athletes should consider the proper normalization in order to avoid misdiagnosis of aortopathies.
Evaluating the socioeconomic benefits of heat-health warning systems
Authors: Rao Shilpa , Chaudhary Prayash , Budin-Ljøsne Isabelle , Sitoula Susan , Aunan Kristin , Chersich Matthew , de’ Donato Francesca , Kazmierczak Aleksandra
Published: November 2024

Heat-health early warning systems (HHWS) are an important collaborative activity between the meteorological and health communities. This study aimed to map the evidence on the socioeconomic assessment of HHWS and their effectiveness in terms of averting heat related health outcomes. It also aimed to map the technical, structural, and societal barriers and facilitators to implementation and use of HHWS. We use two methods: (i) a scoping review of literature on the economic assessment and health benefit of climate services for heat-health adaptation (ii) a set of interviews with climate service developers and providers in Europe and Africa to understand further technical and societal aspects as well as evaluation of such services. We find that HHWS can be a cost-effective adaptation option that can reduce heat-related mortality and morbidity, especially in vulnerable groups like the elderly. We find that challenges such as lack of long-term and reliable funding, difficulties in making the climate data relevant, comprehensible, and accessible to different end-users, cultural differences between climate and health professionals, and limited ability to assess the services’ real impact need to be accounted for while implementing these services.
Rapid evolution of recombination landscapes during the divergence of cichlid ecotypes in Lake Masoko
Authors: Talbi Marion , Turner George F , Malinsky Milan
Published: November 2024

Variation of recombination rate along the genome is of crucial importance to rapid adaptation and organismal diversification. Many unknowns remain regarding how and why recombination landscapes evolve in nature. Here, we reconstruct recombination maps based on linkage disequilibrium and use subsampling and simulations to derive a new measure of recombination landscape evolution: the Population Recombination Divergence Index (PRDI). Using PRDI, we show that fine-scale recombination landscapes differ substantially between two cichlid fish ecotypes of Astatotilapia calliptera that diverged only ~2,500 generations ago. Perhaps surprisingly, recombination landscape differences are not driven by divergence in terms of allele frequency (FST) and nucleotide diversity (Δ(π)): although there is some association, we observe positive PRDI in regions where FST and Δ(π) are zero. We found a stronger association between the evolution of recombination and 47 large haplotype blocks that are polymorphic in Lake Masoko, cover 21% of the genome, and appear to include multiple inversions. Among haplotype blocks, there is a strong and clear association between the degree of recombination divergence and differences between ecotypes in heterozygosity, consistent with recombination suppression in heterozygotes. Overall, our work provides a holistic view of changes in population recombination landscapes during the early stages of speciation with gene flow.
Extended phenotype affects somatic phenotype in spiders: web builders have lower estimated biting forces than free hunters
Authors: Black Corinthia R , Shultz Jeffrey W , Wood Hannah M
Published: November 2024

Reciprocal selection between extended and somatic phenotypes is an active area of investigation. Recent research on the influence of web-building on somatic evolution in spiders has produced conflicting results, with some finding no effect of web use on somatic evolution and others showing significant effects. These studies differed in focus, with the former surveying general anatomical traits and the latter concentrating on somatic systems with significant functional roles in prey capture. Here we propose and test the hypothesis that prey immobilization by webs is broadly synergistic with cheliceral biting force and that web builders have lower cheliceral forces compared to free hunters. Our analysis focused on the intercheliceral (IC) sclerite and muscles, a newly characterized system that is synapomorphic and ubiquitously distributed in spiders. Using µCT scans, we quantify IC sclerite shape and model IC muscle function. Statistical analyses show that inferred size-corrected isometric muscle force is lower in web-builders than in free hunters. No such association was found for IC sclerite shape. In the investigation of reciprocal selective effects between extended and somatic phenotypes, our results highlight the importance that these traits be functionally linked and adaptive.
Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals Evolutionary Reconfiguration of Embryonic Cell Fate Specification in the Sea Urchin Heliocidaris erythrogramma
Authors: Massri Abdull J , Berrio Alejandro , Afanassiev Anton , Greenstreet Laura , Pipho Krista , Byrne Maria , Schiebinger Geoffrey , McClay David R , Wray Gregory A
Published: November 2024

Altered regulatory interactions during development likely underlie a large fraction of phenotypic diversity within and between species, yet identifying specific evolutionary changes remains challenging. Analysis of single-cell developmental transcriptomes from multiple species provides a powerful framework for unbiased identification of evolutionary changes in developmental mechanisms. Here, we leverage a “natural experiment” in developmental evolution in sea urchins, where a major life history switch recently evolved in the lineage leading to Heliocidaris erythrogramma, precipitating extensive changes in early development. Comparative analyses of single-cell transcriptome analysis (scRNA-seq) developmental time courses from H. erythrogramma and Lytechinus variegatus (representing the derived and ancestral states, respectively) reveal numerous evolutionary changes in embryonic patterning. The earliest cell fate specification events and the primary signaling center are co-localized in the ancestral developmental gene regulatory network; remarkably, in H. erythrogramma, they are spatially and temporally separate. Fate specification and differentiation are delayed in most embryonic cell lineages, although in some cases, these processes are conserved or even accelerated. Comparative analysis of regulator-target gene co-expression is consistent with many specific interactions being preserved but delayed in H. erythrogramma, while some otherwise widely conserved interactions have likely been lost. Finally, specific patterning events are directly correlated with evolutionary changes in larval morphology, suggesting that they are directly tied to the life history shift. Together, these findings demonstrate that comparative scRNA-seq developmental time courses can reveal a diverse set of evolutionary changes in embryonic patterning and provide an efficient way to identify likely candidate regulatory interactions for subsequent experimental validation.
Social Relational Notions of Successful Aging: Contesting Dominant Individualized Conceptions of Successful Aging By Examining Migrant Intergenerational Lived Experiences
Authors: Nguyen Hien Thi , Baldassar Loretta , Wilding Raelene , Jones Bronte
Published: November 2024

Background and Objectives

Critiques of the concept of successful aging (SA) include attention to its foundation on an individualized western medical approach that emphasizes personal choice, agency, and lifestyle. This paper aims to examine how individual notions of SA can be linked to, and co-constituted by, relational and intergenerational notions of personhood within the broader socioeconomic, familial, and cultural contexts of migration.

Research Design and Methods

Qualitative research was conducted in Australia (2020–2021) with 42 Vietnamese migrants using ethnographic interviews and participant observation. Data analysis applied inductive reasoning and intersectional analysis to investigate the notion of SA from the perspectives of research participants.

Results

Vietnamese migrants identified 3 dimensions of SA as significant: family fulfillment, individual achievements, and social engagement and protection. Family fulfilment is the most important; other dimensions are rendered meaningless without it. We found out that different generations interpreted SA in varying ways. Adult children prioritize personal success, self-independence, and longevity whereas grandparents place greater emphasis on the success of their adult children and maintenance of intergenerational relationships.

Discussion and Implications

Migrant understandings of SA are deeply influenced by the sociocultural contexts of both their homeland and current residence. The emphasis on family in shaping SA reflects a social–relational understanding that contrasts with dominant individualistic models of SA. Given the social–relational dimension of SA, further research should investigate how distinct migrant experiences of SA shape access to wellbeing in later life.
Research on Religion and Aging Among Black Americans and Mexican Americans: The Impact of the National Institute on Aging
Authors: Taylor Robert Joseph , Kim Elissa , Chatters Linda M , Nguyen Ann W
Published: November 2024

For 50 years, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) has supported and promoted research on religious involvement among older adult populations. NIA funding of research on religious involvement has (i) broadened our understanding of how religious involvement is conceptualized and measured; (ii) explored the important role of social networks and interactions within religious communities in relation to congregants’ health; (iii) supported research on national samples of the U.S. population that explore demographic variability in religious practices and beliefs, as well as their social correlates; and (iv) examined health-relevant frameworks and topics in relation to religion’s association with physical and mental health and well-being. This article focuses on research on African Americans and Mexican Americans as well as comparative work involving non-Latino Whites. Selected topics in religion and aging include Conceptualization and Measurement of Religious Participation; Religious Participation; Religion and Mental Health; Religion and Physical Health, Church-Based Informal Support, Church Support, and Mental and Physical Health; Religious Coping; and the Use of Clergy for serious problems. NIA’s long record of support for scholarship and research has significantly enriched our understanding of why and how religion matters for the health and social well-being of diverse populations of older adults.