bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantum mechanical effects controlling the magnetic properties of transition metal based nanoglass
Authors: Ghafari Mohammad , Gleiter Herbert , Wilde Gerhard
Published: February 2024

In previous investigations, it was reported that transition metal-rich amorphous alloys consist of distorted bcc nano-clusters. Two types of amorphous metals are of interest due to their physical properties: (1) metallic glasses and (2) nanoglasses. Using the example of Fe90Sc10 alloys, this paper discusses quantum mechanical effects leading to new features and properties of these materials. The metallic glass Fe90Sc10 can be prepared by rapidly quenching the melt. In these materials, the atoms are structurally located next to each other without forming grain boundaries. Due to the variation of atomic distances, these metallic glasses are divided magnetically into nano-clusters. The second group of amorphous materials, called metallic nanoglasses, consists of amorphous nanometer-sized clusters (frequently called nanograins) with sizes of about 10 nm or less. These nanograins are interconnected by interfaces. One of the features of nanoglasses is the properties of their interfaces. The properties of interfaces seem to be controlled by quantum mechanical effects. In this paper, some of these quantum mechanical effects will be discussed based on the experimentally observed properties of Fe90Sc10 nanoglasses.
Adherence to the Atrial fibrillation Better Care pathway and the risk of adverse health outcomes in older care home residents with atrial fibrillation: a retrospective data linkage study 2003–18
Authors: Ritchie Leona A , Harrison Stephanie L , Penson Peter E , Akbari Ashley , Torabi Fatemeh , Hollinghurst Joe , Harris Daniel , Oke Oluwakayode B , Akpan Asangaedem , Halcox Julian P , Rodgers Sarah E , Lip Gregory Y H , Lane Deirdre A
Published: February 2024

Background

The Atrial fibrillation Better Care (ABC) pathway is the gold-standard approach to atrial fibrillation (AF) management, but the effect of implementation on health outcomes in care home residents is unknown.

Objective

To examine associations between ABC pathway adherence and stroke, transient ischaemic attack, cardiovascular hospitalisation, major bleeding, mortality and a composite of all these outcomes in care home residents.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of older care home residents (≥65 years) in Wales with AF was conducted between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2018 using the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank. Adherence to the ABC pathway was assessed at care home entry using pre-specified definitions. Cox proportional hazard and competing risk models were used to estimate the risk of health outcomes according to ABC adherence.

Results

From 14,493 residents (median [interquartile range] age 87.0 [82.6–91.2] years, 35.2% male) with AF, 5,531 (38.2%) were ABC pathway adherent. Pathway adherence was not significantly associated with risk of the composite outcome (adjusted hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01 [0.97–1.05]). There was a significant independent association observed between ABC pathway adherence and a reduced risk of myocardial infarction (0.70 [0.50–0.98]), but a higher risk of haemorrhagic stroke (1.59 [1.06–2.39]). ABC pathway adherence was not significantly associated with any other individual health outcomes examined.

Conclusion

An ABC adherent approach in care home residents was not consistently associated with improved health outcomes. Findings should be interpreted with caution owing to difficulties in defining pathway adherence using routinely collected data and an individualised approach is recommended.
Using name overlap analysis to understand medication name search safety
Authors: Flynn Allen , Mieure Katherine D , Myers Conor
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To examine the degree of left-to-right character overlap in medication names as they appear in real-world computer systems.

Methods

We programmed a computer to create and automatically analyze left-to-right character overlap in names appearing on 20,020 lists of real-world medication names. The lists varied in length from 100 to 500 medication names and were created by randomly drawing names from a pool of 2,249 medication names extracted from an operating medication use system database.

Results

Overall maximum left-to-right character overlap varied in lists of 100 to 500 medication names from 4 to 29 characters (mode of 14 characters). For a small subset of names for high-alert medications that must never be administered in error, overall maximum left-to-right character overlap varied from 3 to 10 characters (mode of 6 characters). Further, for users searching for medications by name in computer systems, the keystrokes that do the most work to disambiguate medication names on a list are always the initial few keystrokes.

Conclusion

Medication name left-to-right character overlap on lists of names searched ranges widely. Instead of requiring all users to type a set number of characters when searching for medications by name, search safety can potentially be improved by upgrading computer systems to dynamically respond to each keystroke entered. Using incremental dynamic search, searchers would often be able to type fewer than 5 characters to isolate a single medication by name but would sometimes have to type many more than 5 characters to do so.
Development of handling energy factors for use of dustiness data in exposure assessment modelling
Authors: Fonseca Ana Sofia , Ribalta Carla , Shandilya Neeraj , Fransman Wouter , Alstrup Jensen Keld
Published: February 2024

Several exposure assessment models use dustiness as an input parameter for scaling or estimating exposure during powder handling. Use of different dustiness methods will result in considerable differences in the dustiness values as they are based on different emission generation principles. EN17199:2019 offers 4 different dustiness test methods considering different dust release scenarios (e.g. powder pouring, mixing and gentle agitation, and vibration). Conceptually, the dustiness value by a given method can be multiplied with a scenario-specific modifier, called a handling energy factor (Hi), that allows conversion of a dustiness value to a release constant. Therefore, a Hi, scaling the effective mechanical energy in the process to the energy supplied in the specific dustiness test, needs to be applied. To improve the accuracy in predictive exposure modelling, we derived experimental Hi to be used in exposure algorithms considering both the mass- and number-based dust release fraction determined by the EN17199-3 continuous drop (CD) and the EN17199-4 small rotating drum (SRD) test methods. Three materials were used to evaluate the relationship between dustiness and dust levels during pouring powder from different heights in a controlled environment.

The results showed increasing scatter and difference between the Hi derived for the 2 test methods with increasing pouring height. Nearly all the Hi values obtained for both SRD and CD were <1 indicating that the dustiness tests involved more energy input than the simulated pouring activity and consequently de-agglomeration and dust generation were higher. This effect was most pronounced in CD method showing that SRD mechanistically resembles more closely the powder pouring.
Do phylogenetic community metrics reveal the South African quartz fields as terrestrial-habitat islands?
Authors: Zhigila Daniel A , Elliott Tammy L , Schmiedel Ute , Muasya A Muthama
Published: February 2024

Background and Aims

The quartz fields of the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR) are arid and island-like special habitats, hosting ~142 habitat-specialized plant species, of which 81 % are local endemics, characterized by a rapid turnover of species between and among sites. We use several phylogenetic community metrics: (1) to examine species diversity and phylogenetic structure within and among quartz fields; (2) to investigate whether quartz field specialists are evolutionarily drawn from local species pools, whereas the alternative hypothesis posits that there is no significant evolutionary connection between quartz field specialists and the local species pools; and (3) to determine whether there is an association between certain traits and the presence of species in quartz fields.

Methods

We sampled and developed dated phylogenies for six species-rich angiosperm families (Aizoaceae, Asteraceae, Crassulaceae, Cyperaceae, Fabaceae and Santalaceae) represented in the quartz field floras of southern Africa. Specifically, we focused on the flora of three quartz field regions in South Africa (Knersvlakte, Little Karoo and Overberg) and their surrounding species pools to address our research questions by scoring traits associated with harsh environments.

Key Results

We found that the Overberg and Little Karoo had the highest level of species overlap for families Aizoaceae and Fabaceae, whereas the Knersvlakte and the Overberg had the highest species overlap for families Asteraceae, Crassulaceae and Santalaceae. Although our phylogenetic community structure and trait analyses showed no clear patterns, relatively low pairwise phylogenetic distances between specialists and their local species pools for Aizoaceae suggest that quartz species could be drawn evolutionarily from their surrounding areas. We also found that families Aizoaceae and Crassulaceae in Knersvlakte and Little Karoo were phylogenetically even.

Conclusions

Despite their proximity to one another within the GCFR, the studied areas differ in their species pools and the phylogenetic structure of their specialists. Our work provides further justification for increased conservation focus on these unique habitats under future scenarios of global change.
CloudProteoAnalyzer: scalable processing of big data from proteomics using cloud computing
Authors: Li Jiancheng , Xiong Yi , Feng Shichao , Pan Chongle , Guo Xuan
Published: February 2024

Shotgun proteomics is widely used in many system biology studies to determine the global protein expression profiles of tissues, cultures, and microbiomes. Many non-distributed computer algorithms have been developed for users to process proteomics data on their local computers. However, the amount of data acquired in a typical proteomics study has grown rapidly in recent years, owing to the increasing throughput of mass spectrometry and the expanding scale of study designs. This presents a big data challenge for researchers to process proteomics data in a timely manner. To overcome this challenge, we developed a cloud-based parallel computing application to offer end-to-end proteomics data analysis software as a service (SaaS). A web interface was provided to users to upload mass spectrometry-based proteomics data, configure parameters, submit jobs, and monitor job status. The data processing was distributed across multiple nodes in a supercomputer to achieve scalability for large datasets. Our study demonstrated SaaS for proteomics as a viable solution for the community to scale up the data processing using cloud computing.

Availability and implementation

This application is available online at https://sipros.oscer.ou.edu/ or https://sipros.unt.edu for free use. The source code is available at https://github.com/Biocomputing-Research-Group/CloudProteoAnalyzer under the GPL version 3.0 license.
Sexual dimorphism in the Neotropical snakes genus Chironius (Serpentes: Colubridae)
Authors: dos Santos Marina Meireles , Klaczko Julia , Prudente Ana Lúcia da Costa
Published: February 2024

Sexual dimorphism is a common phenomenon among snakes, with female snakes being larger than male snakes as a recurrent pattern . However, species that show male-male combat behaviour may impose a selective advantage by developing larger bodies in male specimens, like the diurnal Chironius snakes, which display courtship and male-male combat behaviours. In this study, we analysed sexual dimorphism in body, tail, and head size, and skull size and shape in twelve species of Chironius. We investigated whether sexual dimorphism patterns could be a result of allometric growth. The absence of sexual dimorphism regarding body and head length was the main pattern revealed by our analyses. Sexual dimorphism characterized by larger body and head sizes in males was observed in Chironius bicarinatus, Chironius foveatus, and Chironius fuscus. Only females of Chironius exoletus exhibited larger body and head sizes than males. Regarding the shape of the head, six species showed sexual divergences, with enlarged or robust heads. Sexual dimorphism in skull shape seems related to selection in Chironius flavolineatus, with no allometric influences. Larger tails in males of C. fuscus, C. flavolineatus, and Chironius quadricarinatus may represent an advantageous defensive strategy. Finally, the lack of divergence in tail length in the remaining species probably evolved due to arboreal habits in Chironius.
Tree-informed Bayesian multi-source domain adaptation: cross-population probabilistic cause-of-death assignment using verbal autopsy
Authors: Wu Zhenke , Li Zehang R , Chen Irena , Li Mengbing
Published: February 2024

Determining causes of deaths (CODs) occurred outside of civil registration and vital statistics systems is challenging. A technique called verbal autopsy (VA) is widely adopted to gather information on deaths in practice. A VA consists of interviewing relatives of a deceased person about symptoms of the deceased in the period leading to the death, often resulting in multivariate binary responses. While statistical methods have been devised for estimating the cause-specific mortality fractions (CSMFs) for a study population, continued expansion of VA to new populations (or “domains”) necessitates approaches that recognize between-domain differences while capitalizing on potential similarities. In this article, we propose such a domain-adaptive method that integrates external between-domain similarity information encoded by a prespecified rooted weighted tree. Given a cause, we use latent class models to characterize the conditional distributions of the responses that may vary by domain. We specify a logistic stick-breaking Gaussian diffusion process prior along the tree for class mixing weights with node-specific spike-and-slab priors to pool information between the domains in a data-driven way. The posterior inference is conducted via a scalable variational Bayes algorithm. Simulation studies show that the domain adaptation enabled by the proposed method improves CSMF estimation and individual COD assignment. We also illustrate and evaluate the method using a validation dataset. The article concludes with a discussion of limitations and future directions.
Immune cell infiltrate in ductal carcinoma in situ and the risk of dying from breast cancer: case–control study
Authors: Rask Gunilla , Wadsten Charlotta , Acs Balazs , Hartman Johan , Fredriksson Irma , Garmo Hans , Wärnberg Fredrik , Sund Malin
Published: February 2024

Background

Studies identifying risk factors for death from breast cancer after ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) are rare. In this retrospective nested case–control study, clinicopathological factors in women treated for DCIS and who died from breast cancer were compared with those of patients with DCIS who were free from metastatic disease.

Methods

The study included patients registered with DCIS without invasive carcinoma in Sweden between 1992 and 2012. This cohort was linked to the National Cause of Death Registry. Of 6964 women with DCIS, 96 were registered with breast cancer as cause of death (cases). For each case, up to four controls (318; women with DCIS, alive and without metastatic breast cancer at the time of death of the corresponding case) were selected randomly by incidence density sampling. Whole slides of tumour tissue were evaluated for DCIS grade, comedo necrosis, and intensity of periductal lymphocytic infiltrate. Composition of the immune cell infiltrate, expression of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and proliferation marker Ki-67 were scored on tissue microarrays. Clinical information was obtained from medical records. Information on date, site, and histological characteristics of local and distant recurrences was obtained from medical records for both cases and controls.

Results

Tumour tissue was analysed from 65 cases and 195 controls. Intense periductal lymphocytic infiltrate around DCIS was associated with an increased risk of later dying from breast cancer (OR 2.21. 95% c.i. 1.01 to 4.84). Tumours with more intense lymphocytic infiltrate had a lower T cell/B cell ratio. None of the other biomarkers correlated with increased risk of breast cancer death.

Conclusion

The immune response to DCIS may influence the risk of dying from breast cancer.
Ionized and total magnesium levels in patients with chronic kidney disease: associated factors and outcomes
Authors: Pluquet Maxime , Kamel Said , Alencar de Pinho Natalia , Mansencal Nicolas , Combe Christian , Metzger Marie , Massy Ziad A , Liabeuf Sophie , Laville Solène M
Published: February 2024

Background

The association between hypo- and/or hypermagnesaemia and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes or mortality has shown conflicting results in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and has been conducted on total magnesium (tMg) levels. Thus, the objectives of the present study were to (i) describe the serum ionized Mg (iMg) concentration in patients at various CKD stages, (ii) measure the correlation between iMg and tMg concentrations, (iii) identify their associated factors and (iv) determine whether serum tMg and/or iMg concentrations are associated with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and mortality before kidney replacement therapy in CKD patients.

Methods

Chronic Kidney Disease–Renal Epidemiology and Information Network (CKD-REIN) is a prospective cohort of CKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Baseline iMg and tMg serum concentrations were centrally measured. Adjusted cause-specific Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for first MACE and for mortality.

Results

Of the 2419 included patients, median age was 68 years, and the mean eGFR was 34.8 mL/min/1.73 m2. Concentrations of serum iMg and tMg were strongly correlated (r = 0.89, P < .001) and were independently associated with eGFR. The adjusted HR [95% confidence interval (CI)] for MACE associated with the baseline serum tMg level was 1.27 (0.95; 1.69) for patients in Tertile 1 and 1.56 (1.18; 2.06) for patients in Tertile 3, relative to patients in Tertile 2. The HR (95% CI) of death according to serum tMg concentration was increased in Tertile 3 [1.48 (1.11; 1.97)]. The adjusted risk for MACE and mortality (all-cause or CV) associated with the baseline serum iMg level was not significantly different between tertiles.

Conclusions

Our analysis of a large cohort of patients with moderate-to-advanced CKD demonstrated that individuals with higher serum tMg concentrations, although still within the normal range, had a greater likelihood of MACE and mortality. However, serum iMg levels were not associated with these outcomes.
The local topology of dynamical network models for biology
Authors: Borriello Enrico
Published: February 2024

The search for motifs—recurrent patterns in network topology—has led to the identification of universal classes of complex systems across diverse fields and has served as a quantitative tool to reveal common properties in both evolved and designed networks. In this study, we investigate the presence and significance of network superfamilies—previously identified through the census of triadic motifs—in the largest data set of dynamic, biological network models. We present triad significance profiles of 71 existing biological network models, all experimentally inspired. The generated data are treated in an unbiased manner and consistently clustered into two classes using several unsupervised techniques. The more prevalent class does exhibit a strong correlation with the superfamily of sensory transmission networks, which are characterized by the feedforward loop motif commonly found in signal-processing systems. Surprisingly, the remaining class shows a better correlation with the superfamily of word-adjacency networks. To better understand this, the results are analysed for varying network size thresholds, and their connection to the effect of model building activity is examined. It is highlighted that the more the model focuses on smaller portions of the regulatory network, as a result of the coarse-graining of the boundary dynamics and the peripheral regions of the network, the more its topology starts resembling that of ‘sentences’ of word-adjacency networks.
Meeting the Needs of Students and Families: Adapting Service Delivery of Special Education Social Workers during a Pandemic
Authors: Knox Kimberly M
Published: February 2024

During the COVID-19 pandemic, special education social workers (SESWs) had to adapt to meet the needs of families and students rapidly. Traditionally SESWs delivered services through in-person modalities in schools. However, as the world changed overnight to comply with stay-at-home orders, these social workers found themselves in a unique position to utilize social work skills to mitigate the challenges of remote schooling, the mental health needs of students, and technology scarcity all while maintaining their dedication of service to students, families, and schools. The experience of SESWs as they navigated through the changes and challenges the pandemic caused was explored through in-depth interviews. Via thematic analysis, themes emerged regarding being unprepared, bridging communication (a high priority for mental health services), finding the missing, privacy, eagerness for in-person services, and technology scarcity. The study highlights SESWs’ voices, experiences, and commitment to service.
Systematic Review of Interventions with Some School Involvement for School Refusal in High School–Age Adolescents
Authors: Fernandes Claudi-Santi F , Kannoth Sneha , Pendergrass Boomer Tyra M , Hieftje Kimberly D , Fiellin Lynn E
Published: February 2024

Chronic absenteeism is a public health concern. School refusal due to emotional distress is one reason students exhibit chronic absenteeism. The objective of this systematic review was to determine potential aspects of interventions, in school settings or involving a school-based component, that are successful in addressing school refusal among high school–age adolescents. After duplicated records were excluded, 1,864 studies were identified from searches. The abstracts and full text articles were independently reviewed and received two votes from each of the five reviewers using the eligibility criteria. Two reviewers independently evaluated the remaining articles and met to discuss findings with a third reviewer. The 10 articles included eight studies that noted techniques in cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) as promising and two studies that considered CBT as effective as other approaches. The study design for three studies were randomized controlled trials. The remaining seven studies were quasiexperimental. Only three of the 10 studies received a high rating using the Quality Appraisal Tool. There was a limited number of quality studies that used rigorous scientific methods and variation in how each study engaged schools. Further exploration and development of interventions with an integral school-based component are needed.
The Epidemiology of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Comparison of Two Nationwide Cohorts
Authors: Atia Ohad , Bryder Nicklas , Mendelovici Adi , Ledderman Natan , Ben-Tov Amir , Osooli Mehdi , Forss Anders , Loewenberg Weisband Yiska , Matz Eran , Dotan Iris , Turner Dan , Olén Ola
Published: February 2024

Background

We aimed to explore the epidemiology of inflammatory bowel diseases [IBD] in association with the COVID-19 pandemic in two countries with different lockdown policies.

Methods

We utilized nationwide IBD cohorts in Israel and Sweden to explore the incidence of IBD during the pandemic compared to 3 years prior [2017–2019]. We examined temporal trends through the presence of inflection points by Joinpoint regression analysis and reported average monthly percentage changes [AMPC].

Results

A total of 155 837 patients with IBD were included [Israel, 58 640; Sweden, 97 197]. The annual incidence of IBD was stable until 2019 in both countries but then decreased in Israel (AAPC −16.6% [95% confidence interval, CI, −19.9% to −10.0%]) and remained stable in Sweden (AAPC −3.5% [95% CI −11.6% to 3.7%]). When exploring the monthly incidence during the pandemic, in Israel the rate remained stable until November 2020 (AMPC 2.3% [95% CI −13.4% to 29.9%]) and then decreased sharply (AMPC –6.4% [95% CI –20.8% to 17.0%] until February 2021 and to −20.1% [95% CI –38.9% to –4.7%] from February 2021), while in Sweden, which had a less stringent lockdown policy, it decreased slightly until July 2020 (AMPC −3.3% [95% CI −21.6% to 20.3%]), but increased thereafter (AMPC 13.6% [95% CI –12.6% to 27.0%]). The change of incidence rate in Sweden occurred mainly in elderly-onset patients, the only population with significant restrictions during the pandemic.

Conclusion

The incidence of IBD decreased during the pandemic in association with lockdowns, more so in Israel, which had more stringent policies. Future studies are needed to determine the long-term effect of the pandemic on IBD.
Pulmonary hypertension in an adult patient with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome: a case report
Authors: Terui Yosuke , Ohura Shoko , Nozaki Tetsuji , Yagi Takuya
Published: February 2024

Background

Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) is a life-threatening disorder of autonomic respiratory control. Mutations in the paired-like homeobox 2B (PHOX2B) gene impair respiratory drive, causing hypercarbia and hypoxaemia. Most patients with CCHS are diagnosed in the neonatal period; however, a few are diagnosed in adulthood.

Case summary

We report a 32-year-old man with a history of unexplained cyanosis 14 days after birth. He presented to our hospital with breathlessness and abnormal electrocardiogram findings discovered in a health check-up. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was suspected based on electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evidence of right ventricular (RV) overload. Results of pulmonary function tests and chest computed tomography were normal. Arterial blood gas analysis revealed type 2 respiratory failure without a significant alveolar–arterial oxygen gradient, indicating alveolar hypoventilation. Right heart catheterization (RHC) showed pre-capillary PH [pulmonary artery pressure 47/24 (35) mmHg], and a hyperventilation challenge test and a non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) treatment during RHC provided drastic improvement in PH [pulmonary artery pressure 28/12 (18) mmHg]. Congenital central hypoventilation syndrome was diagnosed based on genetic testing (20/25 polyalanine repeat expansion mutations in PHOX2B). After NPPV therapy initiation, the RV overload was slightly improved.

Discussion

Some patients with CCHS develop mild hypoventilation without overt clinical signs, and PH can be the first clinical manifestation. In our case, the hyperventilation challenge test improved PH. Although CCHS causes chronic alveolar hypoxia and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction with subsequent PH, optimal ventilation therapy can improve pulmonary circulation even in affected adults.
Superior cavopulmonary shunt via right vertical axillary mini-thoracotomy
Authors: Tocharoenchok Teerapong , Haller Christoph
Published: February 2024

We present 2 cases of patients with univentricular heart physiology of different anatomic variants who successfully underwent minimally invasive bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis via the right vertical axillary mini-thoracotomy.
The prognosis of patients with primary pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma: Treated with surgery or chemotherapy?
Authors: Ning Ye , He Haiyan , Li Qiuyuan , Zhao Deping , Xie Dong
Published: February 2024

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this project was to evaluate the effect of surgical treatment and the long-term survival of patients with staged IE/IIE pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma.

METHODS

From January 2004 to December 2018, we retrospectively analysed 96 patients diagnosed with low-stage primary pulmonary MALT lymphoma according to the modified Ann Arbor staging system (IE/IIE). We compared the outcomes of different treatment modalities for staged IE/IIE MALT lymphoma. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves, and the differences were compared using the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used in this study.

RESULTS

The median PFS time of low-staged MALT lymphomas was 118 months. The overall survival and PFS of the radical surgery group and the biopsy + chemotherapy group suggested no significant difference (P = 0.63, P = 0.65). Patients positive for Blc-2 and Ki-67 suffered from a compromised PFS (P = 0.023, P = 0.006). The Cox adjusted proportional hazards model analysis suggested that surgical procedures were not protective factors for patients with low-staged (IE/IIE) pulmonary MALT lymphoma, whereas being positive for Blc-2 and Ki-67 was a risk factor for patients with low-staged pulmonary MALT lymphoma (hazard ratio: 9.567; P = 0.044; hazard ratio: 6.042, P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggested that for staged IE/IIE pulmonary MALT lymphoma, radical surgical resection did not provide a survival benefit compared with chemotherapy after biopsy. Thus, radical surgery may be avoided unless biopsy is necessary for a diagnosis that requires sublobar resection. For those lesions that were Blc-2- or Ki-67-positive, compromised survival may be suggested.
Long-term depot specific changes in adipose tissue after treatment of acromegaly
Authors: Falch Camilla M , Godang Kristin , Lekva Tove , Ueland Thor , Heck Ansgar , Bollerslev Jens , Olarescu Nicoleta C
Published: February 2024

Context

Patients with active acromegaly present a decreased adipose tissue (AT) mass, and short-term studies show that treatment leads to AT depot-specific gain. However, it remains unclear if the increase is persistent in the long-term perspective and/or is sex-dependent.

Design

To characterize the depot-specific changes of AT after treatment of acromegaly and identify contributing factors.

Methods

Adipose tissue, including visceral (VAT), subcutaneous (SAT), and total (TAT), and android to gynoid ratio (A/G ratio) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at diagnosis (n = 62), and after treatment at short-term (median (IQR) 1.9 (1.5-2.3)) and long-term 5.5 (3.9-9.5) years, and correlated to clinical and biochemical measurements. Growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), glucose and HbA1c levels, gonadal status, and the presence of diabetes mellitus were recorded. Remission status was assessed at the long-term visit (IGF-1/ULN ≤ 1.3). Differences in the temporal course of AT from baseline to short- and long-term follow-up according to sex, diabetes, gonadal, and remission status were evaluated by mixed model analysis, adjusted for age.

Results

Despite a stable body mass index, VAT and A/G ratio increased at both time points, whereas SAT mainly increased at short-term, plateauing afterwards (P < .05 for all). Visceral adipose tissue and A/G ratio were higher in men (P = .035 and P < .001), and the A/G ratio increased more than in women (P = .003). Glucose and HbA1c decreased short-term (P < .05) and remained stable at long-term. The increase in AT depots correlated with the decrease of disease activity at long-term. Remission status had no effect on changes in AT mass during follow-up.

Conclusion

Treatment of acromegaly leads to an increase in AT mass in a depot- and sex-specific manner both at short-term and long-term follow-up. Glucose metabolism improves rapidly after disease control and persists.
COVID-19, social determinants of transmission in the home. A population-based study
Authors: Soriano López Jesús , Gómez Gómez Jesús Humberto , Ballesta-Ruiz Monica , Garcia-Pina Rocio , Sánchez-Rodríguez Inés , Bonilla-Escobar Bertha A , Salmerón Diego , Rodríguez Berta Suárez , Chirlaque Maria-Dolores
Published: February 2024

Background

Studying transmission within the home is essential to understand the transmission dynamics of numerous infectious diseases. For Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), transmission within the home constitutes the majority exposure context. The risk of infection in this setting can be quantified by the household/intra-family secondary attack rate (SAR). In the literature, there are discrepancies in these values and little information about its social determinants. The aim of this study was to investigate transmission in the home by analyzing the influence of occupational social class, country of origin and gender/sex.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of a population registry of cohabiting contacts with COVID-19 cases diagnosed from 15 June to 23 December 2020, in the Murcia Region. The household SAR was analyzed considering the characteristics of the primary case (sex, age, symptoms, occupational social class, country of origin and number of people in the household) and contact (age and sex) using a multilevel binary logistic regression model.

Results

Among the 37 727 contacts included, the intra-family SAR was 39.1%. The contacts of confirmed primary cases in the migrant population (Africa and Latin America) had higher attack rates, even after adjusting for the other variables. Older age and female sex were independent risk factors for contracting Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) within the home.

Conclusion

There was greater intra-domiciliary transmission among immigrants, likely related to the conditions of the home and situation of social vulnerability. Women were more likely to be infected by transmission from a cohabiting infected individual.
Insights into freshwater ciliate diversity through high throughput DNA metabarcoding
Authors: Abraham Jeeva Susan , Somasundaram Sripoorna , Maurya Swati , Sood Utkarsh , Lal Rup , Toteja Ravi , Makhija Seema
Published: February 2024

The freshwater bodies of India are highly biodiverse but still understudied, especially concerning ciliates. Ciliates constitute a significant portion of eukaryotic diversity and play crucial roles in microbial loops, nutrient recycling, and ecosystem maintenance. The present study aimed to elucidate ciliate diversity in three freshwater sites in the Delhi region of India: Okhla Bird Sanctuary (OBS), Sanjay Lake (SL), and Raj Ghat pond (RJ). This study represents the first investigation into the taxonomic diversity and richness of freshwater ciliates in India using a high-throughput DNA metabarcoding approach. For the analysis, total environmental DNA was extracted from the three freshwater samples, followed by sequencing of the 18S V4 barcode region and subsequent phylogenetic analyses. Operational taxonomic units (OTU) analyses revealed maximum species diversity in OBS (106), followed by SL (104) and RJ (99) sites. Ciliates from the classes Oligohymenophorea, Prostomatea, and Spirotrichea were dominant in the three sites. The study discusses the ability of the metabarcoding approach to uncover unknown and rare species. The study highlights the need for refined reference databases and cautious interpretation of the high-throughput sequencing-generated data while emphasizing the complementary nature of molecular and morphological approaches in studying ciliate diversity.
Enhancing grapevine breeding efficiency through genomic prediction and selection index
Authors: Brault Charlotte , Segura Vincent , Roques Maryline , Lamblin Pauline , Bouckenooghe Virginie , Pouzalgues Nathalie , Cunty Constance , Breil Matthieu , Frouin Marina , Garcin Léa , Camps Louise , Ducasse Marie-Agnès , Romieu Charles , Masson Gilles , Julliard Sébastien , Flutre Timothée , Le Cunff Loïc
Published: February 2024

Grapevine (Vitis vinifera) breeding reaches a critical point. New cultivars are released every year with resistance to powdery and downy mildews. However, the traditional process remains time-consuming, taking 20–25 years, and demands the evaluation of new traits to enhance grapevine adaptation to climate change. Until now, the selection process has relied on phenotypic data and a limited number of molecular markers for simple genetic traits such as resistance to pathogens, without a clearly defined ideotype, and was carried out on a large scale. To accelerate the breeding process and address these challenges, we investigated the use of genomic prediction, a methodology using molecular markers to predict genotypic values. In our study, we focused on 2 existing grapevine breeding programs: Rosé wine and Cognac production. In these programs, several families were created through crosses of emblematic and interspecific resistant varieties to powdery and downy mildews. Thirty traits were evaluated for each program, using 2 genomic prediction methods: Genomic Best Linear Unbiased Predictor and Least Absolute Shrinkage Selection Operator. The results revealed substantial variability in predictive abilities across traits, ranging from 0 to 0.9. These discrepancies could be attributed to factors such as trait heritability and trait characteristics. Moreover, we explored the potential of across-population genomic prediction by leveraging other grapevine populations as training sets. Integrating genomic prediction allowed us to identify superior individuals for each program, using multivariate selection index method. The ideotype for each breeding program was defined collaboratively with representatives from the wine-growing sector.
Family Caregivers’ Management of Behavioral Expressions of Dementia
Authors: Roberto Karen A , McCann Brandy Renee , Savla Jyoti , Blieszner Rosemary
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives

Behavioral expressions of dementia are often stressful for family caregivers to manage as they strive to ensure their relative’s needs are met. Guided by Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, we identified specific behaviors that disrupt daily routines and challenge the achievement of caregiving goals, and the approaches and strategies caregivers employ to address them.

Research Design and Methods

We conducted semistructured interviews with 30 family caregivers in rural Appalachia caring for a relative living with dementia. Analysis involved use of open and focused coding processes to identify the ways caregivers managed behaviors and bar graphs to examine management approaches relative to categories of behaviors and caregiver demographic and emotional well-being variables.

Results

Analyses revealed 10 types of behavioral expressions of dementia associated with confusion, irritability, and resistance to engaging in necessary activities of daily living. Caregiver approaches to managing behaviors included gentle persuasion, being harsh by yelling or threatening, being persistent in expecting the person with dementia to complete the tasks at hand, disengaging by postponing the activity, and employing a combination of strategies. Approaches differed across types of behavior and caregiver demographics and had varying effects on caregiver well-being.

Discussion and Implications

Uncovering specific behaviors family caregivers of persons living with dementia found bothersome, caregivers’ adaptive strategies for managing behaviors, and the impact of those approaches provides new information to inform training on effective dementia caregiving practices and development of targeted intervention programs for dementia care.
Scoping an Integrated Ecosystem Assessment for the southern Benguela: fisheries still biggest risk
Authors: Bornman Eugin , Shannon Lynne , Jarre Astrid
Published: February 2024

The southern Benguela ecosystem faces complex pressures from anthropogenic activities and climate change, leading to structural and functional changes. To counter ecosystem service losses, intergovernmental marine science organizations propose integrated management. However, predictions to evaluate alternative strategies are challenging due to multifaceted sector interactions affecting ecological components. Scoping phases of Integrated Ecosystem Assessments (IEA), such as the Options for Delivering Ecosystem-Based Marine Management (ODEMM), identify priority sectors and pressures for management using linkage chains and impact risk scores. This study expands a South African-wide ODEMM assessment to investigate dependent sectors in the southern Benguela. Fishing emerged as the primary sector, exhibiting high connectance and impact risk on ecological components. Disaggregation of the fishing sector into sub-sectors and over three 21-year time periods revealed the demersal trawl and mixed species inshore trawl sectors to still have the greatest impact despite recent mitigation efforts, driven by species extraction, bycatch, and ‘incidental loss’. Research gaps, such as the effects of recreational fisheries and underwater noise, were identified and need to be addressed to improve future ecosystem assessments. Additionally, the effects of climate on long-term, ecosystem-scale variability and change need more attention in IEAs and should be incorporated into frameworks such as ODEMM.
Network Meta-Analysis Indicates Superior Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Preventing the Transition to Psychosis in Individuals at Clinical High-Risk
Authors: Chen Chengfeng , Deng Yongyan , Li Yuling , Zhang Meiting , Yu Tong , Xie Kun , Bao Wuyou , Li Peiying , Sun Ling , Zhang Tianhong , Zhu Yikang , Zhang Bin
Published: February 2024

Background

The efficacy of pharmacological and nutritional interventions in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) remains elusive. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of pharmacological and nutritional interventions in CHR-P and whether these interventions can enhance the efficacy of psychological treatments.

Methods

We systematically reviewed data from 5 databases until July 24, 2021: PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang Data. The primary outcome was the transition to psychosis. Network meta-analyses were conducted at 3 time points (6, 12, and ≥24 months) considering both pharmacological/nutritional interventions alone and its combination with psychotherapy.

Results

Out of 11 417 identified references, 21 studies were included, comprising 1983 participants. CHR-P participants receiving omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids treatment were associated with a lower probability of transition compared with placebo/control at 6 months (odds ratio [OR] = 0.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] = .01 to .054), 12 months (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = .03 to .66), and ≥24 months (OR = 0.16, 95% CI = .05 to .54). Moreover, risperidone plus psychotherapy was associated with a lower likelihood of transition at 6 months compared with placebo/control plus psychotherapy, but this result was not sustained over longer durations.

Conclusion

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids helped in preventing transitions to psychosis compared with controls.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021256209.
Microeukaryotic plankton evolutionary constraints in a subtropical river explained by environment and bacteria along differing taxonomic resolutions
Authors: Ren Kexin , Mo Yuanyuan , Xiao Peng , Rønn Regin , Xu Zijie , Xue Yuanyuan , Chen Huihuang , Rivera Windell L , Rensing Christopher , Yang Jun
Published: February 2024

Microeukaryotic plankton communities are keystone components for keeping aquatic primary productivity. Currently, variations in microeukaryotic plankton diversity have often been explained by local ecological factors but not by evolutionary constraints. We used amplicon sequencing of 100 water samples across five years to investigate the ecological preferences of the microeukaryotic plankton community in a subtropical riverine ecosystem. We found that microeukaryotic plankton diversity was less associated with bacterial abundance (16S rRNA gene copy number) than bacterial diversity. Further, environmental effects exhibited a larger influence on microeukaryotic plankton community composition than bacterial community composition, especially at fine taxonomic levels. The evolutionary constraints of microeukaryotic plankton community increased with decreasing taxonomic resolution (from 97% to 91% similarity levels), but not significant change from 85% to 70% similarity levels. However, compared with the bacterial community, the evolutionary constraints were shown to be more affected by environmental variables. This study illustrated possible controlling environmental and bacterial drivers of microeukaryotic diversity and community assembly in a subtropical river, thereby indirectly reflecting on the quality status of the water environment by providing new clues on the microeukaryotic community assembly.
The use of salmonid epithelial cells to characterize the toxicity of Tenacibaculum maritimum soluble extracellular products
Authors: Michnik Matthew L , Semple Shawna L , Joshi Reema N , Whittaker Patrick , Barreda Daniel R
Published: February 2024

Aims

This study assessed how the etiological agent of mouth rot in farmed Atlantic salmon, Tenacibaculum maritimum, induces toxicity in host salmonid barrier cells, and determined whether environmental changes are relevant for these effects.

Methods and results

Tenacibaculum maritimum soluble extracellular products (ECPs) were collected and used to treat Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout intestinal barrier cell lines as a comparative model of bacterial–salmonid cell interactions. Cellular assays that examine cell membrane integrity, marker expression, and metabolic activity revealed that T. maritimum ECPs induced salmonid epithelial cell death through an apoptosis mechanism. Changes in salinity (25, 29, and 33 ppt) and temperature (12°C, 18°C, and 24°C) within the natural ranges observed in Pacific Northwest aquaculture facilities affected bacterial growth and cytotoxicity of T. maritimum ECPs.

Conclusions

Our results suggest epithelial barriers as targets of T. maritimum-mediated toxicity in farmed mouth rot-infected Atlantic salmon. The induction of apoptosis by T. maritimum soluble ECPs may also help to explain the absence of overt inflammation typically reported for these fish.