bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symmetry and quantitative stability for the parallel surface fractional torsion problem
Authors: Ciraolo Giulio , Dipierro Serena , Poggesi Giorgio , Pollastro Luigi , Valdinoci Enrico
Published: November 2022

We study symmetry and quantitative approximate symmetry for an overdetermined problem involving the fractional torsion problem in a bounded open set

Ω
⊂

R

n

\Omega \subset \mathbb R^n

. More precisely, we prove that if the fractional torsion function has a

C
1

C^1

level surface which is parallel to the boundary

∂
Ω

\partial \Omega

then

Ω
\Omega

is a ball. If instead we assume that the solution is close to a constant on a parallel surface to the boundary, then we quantitatively prove that

Ω
\Omega

is close to a ball. Our results use techniques which are peculiar of the nonlocal case as, for instance, quantitative versions of fractional Hopf boundary point lemma and boundary Harnack estimates for antisymmetric functions. We also provide an application to the study of rural-urban fringes in population settlements.
The theta invariants and the volume function on arithmetic varieties
Authors: Hajli Mounir
Published: November 2022

We introduce a new arithmetic invariant for hermitian line bundles on arithmetic varieties. We use this invariant to measure the variation of the volume function with respect to the metric. We apply the theory developed here to the study of the arithmetic geometry of toric varieties. As an application, we obtain a generalized Hodge index theorem for hermitian line bundles which are not necessarily toric. When the metrics are toric, we recover some results due to Burgos, Phillippon, Sombra and Moriwaki.
Aurora A phosphorylates Ndel1 to reduce the levels of Mad1 and NuMA at spindle poles
Authors: Janczyk Paweł Ł. , Żyłkiewicz Eliza , De Hoyos Henry , West Thomas , Matson Daniel R. , Choi Won-Chan , Young Heather M. Raimer , Derewenda Zygmunt S. , Stukenberg P. Todd
Published: November 2022

Aurora kinase A phosphorylates the Dynein regulator Ndel1 spindle near poles. This leads to the release of dynein substrates, including the spindle checkpoint regulator Mad1 and the microtubule binding protein NuMA, near this location to control mitotic events.
MCRS1 modulates the heterogeneity of microtubule minus-end morphologies in mitotic spindles
Authors: Laguillo-Diego Alejandra , Kiewisz Robert , Martí-Gómez Carlos , Baum Daniel , Müller-Reichert Thomas , Vernos Isabelle
Published: November 2022

Microtubule (MT) minus ends in HeLa cell metaphase spindles have open or closed morphologies in electron tomograms. The proportion of open MT minus ends increases upon silencing the minus end–specific stabilizer, MCRS1, suggesting a correlation between their morphology and dynamic state. This points to an unsynchronized behavior of MTs at the spindle poles.
Impact of switching from the 2009 to the 2021 CKD-EPI Equation for eGFR
Authors: Bailey Cedric , Farnsworth Christopher
Published: November 2022

Recent national and international guidelines have recommended implementing the 2021 CKD-EPI equation for estimating glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Relative to the 2009 CKD-EPI equation, the 2021 equation eliminates race-based modifiers in the calculation of eGFR based on a remodeling of the original CKD-EPI dataset. Further, updated guidelines now recommend integrating Cystatin C as a confirmatory test in all patients with an eGFR between 45-59 mL/min/1.73m2. Here we assess the impact of switching from the 2009 CKD-EPI creatinine-based equation to the 2021 CKD-EPI creatinine-based equation on both non-black and black populations and assess the feasibility of implementing a reflex for Cystatin C on all patients with an eGFR between 45-59 mL/min/1.73m2. The laboratory information system was queried retrospectively from 11/01/2021 to 12/31/2021 for age, sex, self-identified ethnicity, and serum creatinine concentrations from basic/comprehensive metabolic panels and renal panels. Slope and linearity of the reported eGFR with the 2009 and 2021 equations were compared using Deming regression and Fisher’s exact test was used to assess the proportion of eGFR results <30 ml/min/1.73m2 and between 45-59 ml/min/1.73m2. Of the 64,657 serum creatinine values, 37,589 were from self-identifying non-black patients and 27,068 were from self-identifying black patients. Deming regression revealed a slope of 0.997 (95% CI; 0.997-0.998) and intercept of 2.69 (2.65-2.74) for the non-black population and a slope of 0.863 (0.862-0.864) and intercept of 2.451 (2.39-2.51) for the black population. The number of non-black individuals with an eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73m2 decreased 5622 to 5060 (p<0.001) and black patients increased from 4018 to 4387 (p<0.001). The number of non-black individuals with an eGFR in the range of 45-59 ml/min/1.73m2 increased marginally from 4,410 (11.7%) to 4,525(12.0%, p=0.19) and the number of black individuals increased from 2,501 (9.2%) to 3,299 (12.2%, p<0.001). If a Cystatin C reflex test was performed on all patients with an eGFR between 45-59 mL/min/1.73m2, 2325 assays would have been performed on out-patients and 5499 on in-patients. These results, in the context of recently updated guidelines imply that the changing from the 2009 CKD-EPI equation to the 2021 CKD-EPI equation is likely to increase the proportion of black individuals diagnosed with moderate to severe and severe loss of kidney function more so than the non-black populations. Implementation of a Cystatin C reflex on all patients with an eGFR between 45-59 mL/min/1.73m2 is likely to lead to considerable overuse and should be limited to out-patients and physician ordered tests.
An Investigation into Occupational Related Stress of At-Risk Workers During COVID-19
Authors: Gerding Thomas , Davis Kermit G , Wang Jun
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Nearly all workers and industry sectors have been affected by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in some form since March 2020. However, the pandemic-related stressors experienced in the workplace may vary from industry to industry and may have disproportionally affected some workers. This study investigates increased stress levels, stressor events, and other perceptions of stress from at-risk workers during COVID-19.

Methods

An in-depth work-related stress survey that incorporated many aspects of work, life, work-life balance, and the health of employer-employee relationships was developed with a focus on COVID-19-related stressors. The cross-sectional survey was distributed online through professional networks from October to November 2021. The survey results were statically analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) after grouping the industry sectors into the four groups to determine trends within these groupings.

Results

The survey was completed by 670 workers in sectors such as manual labor, business/office service, healthcare, and education. A variety of trends were determined between the occurrence of COVID-19 and work stress which had, in some cases, affected some industry sectors to a larger degree than others. More than 50% of the participants reported experiencing an increased workload since the onset of the pandemic with some sectors, like healthcare, reporting an increased workload more frequently at 80%. Around 55% of respondents believed they could be exposed to COVID-19 in their workplace, ranging from 52% of business/office service workers to 77% of healthcare workers.

Conclusions

As workplaces navigate past the pandemic, occupational stress should be addressed head-on through workplaces providing expanded resources so as to assure work stress associated with future pandemics are mitigated appropriately. Whether the stressor is associated with irregular shift work or psychosocial aspects (i.e. relying on coworkers), many of these stressors have the possibility to become exacerbated by external factors such as pandemics.
Evaluation of Breast Implant–Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma With Whole Exome and Genome Sequencing
Authors: Akkad Neha , Kodgule Rohan , Duncavage Eric J , Mehta-Shah Neha , Spencer David H , Watkins Marcus , Shirai Cara , Myckatyn Terence M
Published: November 2022

Background

Breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a rare malignancy originating from the periprosthetic capsule of a textured, most often macrotextured, breast implant. Identified in women whose indications for breast implants can be either aesthetic or reconstructive, the genomic underpinnings of this disease are only beginning to be elucidated.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the exomes, and in some cases the entire genome, of patients with BIA-ALCL. Specific attention was paid to copy number alterations, chromosomal translocations, and other genomic abnormalities overrepresented in patients with BIA-ALCL.

Methods

Whole-exome sequencing was performed on 6 patients, and whole-genome sequencing on 3 patients, with the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencer. Data were analyzed with the Illumina DRAGEN Bio-IT Platform and the ChromoSeq pipeline. The Pathseq Genome Analysis Toolkit pipeline was used to detect the presence of microbial genomes in the sequenced samples.

Results

Two cases with STAT3 mutations and 2 cases with NRAS mutations were noted. A critically deleted 7-Mb region was identified at the 11q22.3 region of chromosome 11, and multiple nonrecurrent chromosomal rearrangements were identified by whole-genome sequencing. Recurrent gene-level rearrangements, however, were not identified. None of the samples showed evidence of potential microbial pathogens.

Conclusions

Although no recurrent mutations were identified, this study identified mutations in genes not previously reported with BIA-ALCL or other forms of ALCL. Furthermore, not previously reported with BIA-ALCL, 11q22.3 deletions were consistent across whole-genome sequencing cases and present in some exomes.

Level of Evidence: 5
Deep learning identifies explainable reasoning paths of mechanism of action for drug repurposing from multilayer biological network
Authors: Yang Jiannan , Li Zhen , Wu William Ka Kei , Yu Shi , Xu Zhongzhi , Chu Qian , Zhang Qingpeng
Published: November 2022

The discovery and repurposing of drugs require a deep understanding of the mechanism of drug action (MODA). Existing computational methods mainly model MODA with the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. However, the molecular interactions of drugs in the human body are far beyond PPIs. Additionally, the lack of interpretability of these models hinders their practicability. We propose an interpretable deep learning-based path-reasoning framework (iDPath) for drug discovery and repurposing by capturing MODA on by far the most comprehensive multilayer biological network consisting of the complex high-dimensional molecular interactions between genes, proteins and chemicals. Experiments show that iDPath outperforms state-of-the-art machine learning methods on a general drug repurposing task. Further investigations demonstrate that iDPath can identify explicit critical paths that are consistent with clinical evidence. To demonstrate the practical value of iDPath, we apply it to the identification of potential drugs for treating prostate cancer and hypertension. Results show that iDPath can discover new FDA-approved drugs. This research provides a novel interpretable artificial intelligence perspective on drug discovery.
Monarch Butterfly Ecology, Behavior, and Vulnerabilities in North Central United States Agricultural Landscapes
Authors: Grant Tyler J , Fisher Kelsey E , Krishnan Niranjana , Mullins Alexander N , Hellmich Richard L , Sappington Thomas W , Adelman James S , Coats Joel R , Hartzler Robert G , Pleasants John M , Bradbury Steven P
Published: November 2022

The North American monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a candidate species for listing under the Endangered Species Act. Multiple factors are associated with the decline in the eastern population, including the loss of breeding and foraging habitat and pesticide use. Establishing habitat in agricultural landscapes of the North Central region of the United States is critical to increasing reproduction during the summer. We integrated spatially explicit modeling with empirical movement ecology and pesticide toxicology studies to simulate population outcomes for different habitat establishment scenarios. Because of their mobility, we conclude that breeding monarchs in the North Central states should be resilient to pesticide use and habitat fragmentation. Consequently, we predict that adult monarch recruitment can be enhanced even if new habitat is established near pesticide-treated crop fields. Our research has improved the understanding of monarch population dynamics at the landscape scale by examining the interactions among monarch movement ecology, habitat fragmentation, and pesticide use.
Comparative Safety and Attributable Healthcare Expenditures Following Inappropriate Versus Appropriate Outpatient Antibiotic Prescriptions Among Adults With Upper Respiratory Infections
Authors: Butler Anne M , Brown Derek S , Newland Jason G , Nickel Katelin B , Sahrmann John M , O’Neil Caroline A , Olsen Margaret A , Zetts Rachel M , Hyun David Y , Durkin Michael J
Published: November 2022

Background

Little is known about the clinical and financial consequences of inappropriate antibiotics. We aimed to estimate the comparative risk of adverse drug events and attributable healthcare expenditures associated with inappropriate versus appropriate antibiotic prescriptions for common respiratory infections.

Methods

We established a cohort of adults aged 18 to 64 years with an outpatient diagnosis of a bacterial (pharyngitis, sinusitis) or viral respiratory infection (influenza, viral upper respiratory infection, nonsuppurative otitis media, bronchitis) from 1 April 2016 to 30 September 2018 using Merative MarketScan Commercial Database. The exposure was an inappropriate versus appropriate oral antibiotic (ie, non-guideline-recommended vs guideline-recommended antibiotic for bacterial infections; any vs no antibiotic for viral infections). Propensity score-weighted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association between inappropriate antibiotics and adverse drug events. Two-part models were used to calculate 30-day all-cause attributable healthcare expenditures by infection type.

Results

Among 3 294 598 eligible adults, 43% to 56% received inappropriate antibiotics for bacterial and 7% to 66% for viral infections. Inappropriate antibiotics were associated with increased risk of several adverse drug events, including Clostridioides difficile infection and nausea/vomiting/abdominal pain (hazard ratio, 2.90; 95% confidence interval, 1.31–6.41 and hazard ratio, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–1.18, respectively, for pharyngitis). Thirty-day attributable healthcare expenditures were higher among adults who received inappropriate antibiotics for bacterial infections ($18–$67) and variable (−$53 to $49) for viral infections.

Conclusions

Inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for respiratory infections were associated with increased risks of patient harm and higher healthcare expenditures, justifying a further call to action to implement outpatient antibiotic stewardship programs.
VPM1002 as Prophylaxis Against Severe Respiratory Tract Infections Including Coronavirus Disease 2019 in the Elderly: A Phase 3 Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Clinical Study
Authors: Blossey Alexandra M , Brückner Sina , May Marcus , Parzmair Gerald P , Sharma Hitt , Shaligram Umesh , Grode Leander , Kaufmann Stefan H E , Netea Mihai G , Schindler Christoph
Published: November 2022

Background

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination can potentially reduce the rate of respiratory infections in vulnerable populations. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of VPM1002 (a genetically modified BCG) as prophylaxis against severe respiratory tract infections including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in an elderly population.

Methods

In this phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter clinical trial, healthy elderly volunteers (N = 2064) were enrolled, randomized (1:1) to receive either VPM1002 or placebo, and followed up remotely for 240 days. The primary outcome was the mean number of days with severe respiratory infections at hospital and/or at home. Secondary endpoints included the incidence of self-reported fever, number of hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, and number of adverse events.

Results

A total of 31 participants in the VPM1002 group reported at least 1 day with severe respiratory disease and a mean number of days with severe respiratory disease of 9.39 ± 9.28 while in the placebo group; 38 participants reported a mean of 14.29 ± 16.25 days with severe respiratory disease. The incidence of self-reported fever was lower in the VPM1002 group (odds ratio, 0.46 [95% confidence interval, .28–.74]; P = .001), and consistent trends to fewer hospitalization and ICU admissions due to COVID-19 were observed after VPM1002 vaccination. Local reactions typical for BCG were observed in the VPM1002-vaccinated group, which were mostly of mild intensity.

Conclusions

Vaccination with VPM1002 is well tolerated and seems to have a prophylactic effect against severe respiratory disease in the elderly.

Clinical Trials Registration

NCT04435379.
Onion Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) Host Plant Preference and Performance are Mediated by a Facultative Plant Pathogen of Onion
Authors: Constancio Natalie , Higgins Doug , Hausbeck Mary , Szendrei Zsofia
Published: November 2022

Insect vector and phytopathogen interactions are mediated by host plants. Insects interact with pathogens directly or indirectly and they may prefer host plants based on infection status. Performance on infected hosts varies depending on the type of pathogen involved. Species specific studies of economically important insects and phytopathogens are needed to understand how these interactions impact crop yields. Onion thrips, Thrips tabaci Lindeman (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is an economically devastating insect pest of onions (Allium cepa L., Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae) worldwide and it co-occurs simultaneously with many different pathogens. Colletotrichum coccodes (Wallr) (Glomerellales: Glomerellaceae) is a generalist fungal pathogen that attacks onion foliage, causing tan lesions and decreasing yield. Onion thrips and C. coccodes represent two important pests of onions, but the relationship between onion thrips and C. coccodes infected onions has not been studied, and it is unclear if onion thrips contribute to the spread of C. coccodes in onion fields. A four-choice test with control, artificially injured, artificially injured + symptomatic, and inoculated-symptomatic onion suggests that onion thrips distinguish between hosts based on health status. Furthermore, a two-choice test with control, inoculated-asymptomatic, and inoculated-symptomatic onion pairings revealed that onion thrips distinguish between hosts based on infection status and prefer inoculated-symptomatic hosts. In a no-choice test, onion thrips numbers increased on inoculated-symptomatic plants compared to control or inoculated-asymptomatic plants. Overall, we found that onion thrips preferred and performed best on C. coccodes infected plants.
NT-proBNP and stem cell factor plasma concentrations are independently associated with cardiovascular outcomes in end-stage renal disease hemodialysis patients
Authors: Rossignol P , Duarte K , Bresso E , A Åsberg , Devignes M D , Eriksson N , Girerd N , Glerup R , Jardine A G , Holdaas H , Lamiral Z , Leroy C , Massy Z , März W , Krämer B , Wu P H , Schmieder R , Soveri I , Christensen J H , Svensson M , Zannad F , Fellström B
Published: November 2022

Aims

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated by chronic hemodialysis (HD) is associated with poor cardiovascular (CV) outcomes, with no available evidence-based therapeutics. A multiplexed proteomic approach may identify new pathophysiological pathways associated with CV outcomes, potentially actionable for precision medicine.

Methods and results

The AURORA trial was an international, multicentre, randomized, double-blind trial involving 2776 patients undergoing maintenance HD. Rosuvastatin vs. placebo had no significant effect on the composite primary endpoint of death from CV causes, nonfatal myocardial infarction or nonfatal stroke. We first compared CV risk-matched cases and controls (n = 410) to identify novel biomarkers using a multiplex proximity extension immunoassay (276 proteomic biomarkers assessed with OlinkTM). We replicated our findings in 200 unmatched cases and 200 controls. External validation was conducted from a multicentre real-life Danish cohort [Aarhus-Aalborg (AA), n = 331 patients] in which 92 OlinkTM biomarkers were assessed. In AURORA, only N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP, positive association) and stem cell factor (SCF) (negative association) were found consistently associated with the trial's primary outcome across exploration and replication phases, independently from the baseline characteristics. Stem cell factor displayed a lower added predictive ability compared with NT-ProBNP. In the AA cohort, in multivariable analyses, BNP was found significantly associated with major CV events, while higher SCF was associated with less frequent CV deaths.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that NT-proBNP and SCF may help identify ESRD patients with respectively high and low CV risk, beyond classical clinical predictors and also point at novel pathways for prevention and treatment.
Cost-effectiveness of population screening for atrial fibrillation: the STROKESTOP study
Authors: Lyth Johan , Svennberg Emma , Bernfort Lars , Aronsson Mattias , Frykman Viveka , Al-Khalili Faris , Friberg Leif , Rosenqvist Mårten , Engdahl Johan , Levin Lars-Åke
Published: November 2022

Aims

Previous studies on the cost-effectiveness of screening for atrial fibrillation (AF) are based on assumptions of long-term clinical effects. The STROKESTOP study, which randomised 27 975 persons aged 75/76 years into a screening invitation group and a control group, has a median follow-up time of 6.9 years. The aim of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of population-based screening for AF using clinical outcomes.

Methods and results

The analysis is based on a Markov cohort model. The prevalence of AF, the use of oral anticoagulation, clinical event data, and all-cause mortality were taken from the STROKESTOP study. The cost for clinical events, age-specific utilities, utility decrement due to stroke, and stroke death was taken from the literature. Uncertainty in the model was considered in a probabilistic sensitivity analysis. Per 1000 individuals invited to the screening, there were 77 gained life years and 65 gained quality-adjusted life years. The incremental cost was €1.77 million lower in the screening invitation group. Gained quality-adjusted life years to a lower cost means that the screening strategy was dominant. The result from 10 000 Monte Carlo simulations showed that the AF screening strategy was cost-effective in 99.2% and cost-saving in 92.7% of the simulations. In the base-case scenario, screening of 1000 individuals resulted in 10.6 [95% confidence interval (CI): −22.5 to 1.4] fewer strokes (8.4 ischaemic and 2.2 haemorrhagic strokes), 1.0 (95% CI: −1.9 to 4.1) more cases of systemic embolism, and 2.9 (95% CI: −18.2 to 13.1) fewer bleedings associated with hospitalization.

Conclusion

Based on the STROKESTOP study, this analysis shows that a broad AF screening strategy in an elderly population is cost-effective. Efforts should be made to increase screening participation.
The association between psychological factors and self-care in patients with heart failure: an integrative review
Authors: Wang Zequan , Tocchi Christine , Chyun Deborah , Kim Kyounghae , Cong Xiaomei , Starkweather Angela
Published: November 2022

Aims

This integrative review aims to describe the current evidence concerning the relationship between a broad range of psychological factors (depression, depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, and type-D personality) and self-care in patients with heart failure.

Methods and results

Six electronic databases were searched and keywords were used to identify potential eligible studies published within the last 10 years. To be eligible, individuals with heart failure aged 18 years or older and who were included in any type of observational study that examined the association between psychological factors and self-care were considered. Twenty articles were included, and 16 of them reported that depression/depressive symptoms were associated with poorer self-care, after controlling for age, sex, education level, cardiac history, or comorbidities. Five studies found that self-care confidence/self-efficacy mediates the relationship between depression/depressive symptoms and self-care. The association between depression/depressive symptoms and self-care varied in assessment methods and statistical approaches. Seven studies showed an inverse association between anxiety and self-care. Four studies found a stronger association between self-care and depression compared with the relationship between self-care and other psychological factors. Stress and type-D personality were both associated with self-care in four studies.

Conclusion

Depression/depressive symptoms and anxiety were found to be inversely associated with self-care in patients with heart failure. Depression exhibited a stronger impact on self-care than other psychological factors. Limited studies assessed stress and type-D personality; the results should be considered with caution. Further studies are warranted on different psychological factors and their underlying mechanisms in individuals with heart failure.
Measles cases in Split-Dalmatia County (a Croatian tourist region), in May–July 2019: outbreak report and lessons learnt
Authors: Brzovic Milka , Barac Juretic Katija , Jurcev-Savicevic Anamarija , Mihojevic Linda , Nonkovic Diana , Rizvan Pero , Vujevic Petrovic Matea , Tonkic Marija , Kaic Bernard , Babic-Erceg Andrea , Vilibic-Cavlek Tatjana , Ivancic-Jelecki Jelena
Published: November 2022

Background

Measles elimination was accomplished in Croatia in 2016. Split-Dalmatia County, with population of ca. 425 000 inhabitants, is among the most important Croatian tourist areas with numerous seasonal workers coming during summer months. In both 2018 and 2019, more than 3 million tourists visited this county. In 2000–2018, there were no measles cases in this county, or their number was low (1–3 cases per year).

Methods

After measles was clinically suspected, all contacts were traced and contacted. Detection of specific IgM/IgG antibodies and real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction detection of viral RNA were used for laboratory confirmation. Sequencing and genotyping were performed for strains’ molecular epidemiology analysis.

Results

Six epidemiologically unlinked measles virus occurrences happened in Split-Dalmatia County in 15 May–19 July 2019. Causative viral strains belonged to genotypes B3 and D8. Four were single imported cases. Ten patients belonged to two separate clusters within domicile population. Multiple individual and public health measures were implemented. In total, 483 contacts were identified, 64.2% within healthcare system where two persons contracted the disease.

Conclusions

Besides the importance of timely vaccination of children, the lessons learned from this outbreak point to the need of stricter implementation of other aspects of Croatian measles prevention programme, such as checking of vaccination status in early adulthood. Despite the fact that measles elimination within domicile population in this tourist region has been accomplished and maintained for years, continuous public health workers’ efforts are still necessary for identification and diminishment of populational pockets of susceptibility.
Identification of yeasts in fermented foods and beverages using MALDI-TOF MS
Authors: Boyaci Gunduz Cennet Pelin , Agirman Bilal , Erten Huseyin
Published: November 2022

Yeasts are an important group of microorganisms and contribute to the fermentation of a broad range of foods and beverages spontaneously or as a starter culture. Rapid and reliable microbial species identification is essential to evaluate biodiversity in fermented foods and beverages. Nowadays, high-throughput omics technologies and bioinformatics tools produce large-scale molecular-level data in many fields. These omics technologies generate data at different expression levels and are used to identify microorganisms. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a powerful analytical technique in proteomic technology. It is a tool used to analyze the peptides or proteins of microorganisms for identification. MALDI-TOF MS has been used for the taxonomic identification of microorganisms as a fast, high-throughput, and cost-effective method. This review briefly discussed the application of MALDI-TOF MS in identifying yeasts in fermented foods and beverages.
Contrasting Norway spruce disturbance dynamics in managed forests and strict forest reserves in Slovakia
Authors: Potterf Mária , Svitok Marek , Mezei Pavel , Jarčuška Benjamín , Jakuš Rastislav , Blaženec Miroslav , Hlásny Tomáš
Published: November 2022

Forest disturbances are intensifying globally, yet regional drivers of these dynamics remain poorly understood. We investigated recent disturbance intensities in Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) forests in Slovakia (Central Europe) with different management objectives in 2000–2017 based on Landsat imagery. We focused on 122 strict reserves without any management, their actively managed surroundings (500 m and 2000 m buffers), and managed production forests beyond the buffer areas. We used generalized additive mixed models to test for differences in temporal trends of disturbance intensity among these management categories. We found that disturbance intensity was increasing in all management categories during the studied period. The increase was more pronounced in the managed forests (compound annual disturbance rate 1.76% year−1) and the 2000 m buffer (2.21% year−1) than in the strict reserves (0.58% year−1). The predicted cumulative disturbance during the 18-year period was 9.9% in the reserves and 30.5% in the 2000 m buffer. We found that forests in nature reserves can be more resistant to disturbances than forests managed for timber production, despite management efforts to control disturbances in managed forests. Our findings can help reconcile the different perceptions of natural disturbances and their management in Central Europe and support climate-adapted management strategies that consider natural disturbances as an indispensable component of ecosystem dynamics.
Muscle Endurance and Self-Perceived Fatigue Predict Decline in Gait Speed and Activities of Daily Living After 1-Year Follow-Up: Results From the BUTTERFLY Study
Authors: Knoop Veerle , Costenoble Axelle , Debain Aziz , Bravenboer Bert , Jansen Bart , Scafoglieri Aldo , Bautmans Ivan ,   Gerontopole Brussels Study Group, Bautmans Ivan , Verté Dominque , Beyer Ingo , Petrovic Mirko , De Donder Liesbeth , Kardol Tinie , Rossi Gina , Clarys Peter , Scafoglieri Aldo , Cattrysse Erik , de Hert Paul , Jansen Bart
Published: November 2022

Background

Fatigue might influence the losses in activities of daily living (ADL). When fatigue parameters are present before the experience of losses in ADL and gait speed, they can be used as early warning signals. This study aimed to explore the predictive value of muscle endurance and fatigue on changes in ADL and gait speed in community-dwelling older adults aged 80 and older.

Methods

Three hundred twenty four community-dwelling older adults aged 80 and older of the BUTTERFLY study were assessed after 1 year for muscle endurance, self-perceived fatigue, ADL, and gait speed. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed to explore, whether there is an underlying arrangement of the fatigue parameters. Mediating logistic regression analyses were used to investigate whether muscle endurance mediated by self-perceived fatigue predicts the decline in gait speed and ADL after 1-year follow-up.

Results

EFA indicated a 2-factor model (muscle endurance factor and self-perceived fatigue factor) and had a moderate fit (X2: 374.81, df: 2, comparative fit index; 0.710, Tucker–Lewis index (TLI): 0.961, root mean square error of approximation [90%]: 0.048 [0.00–0.90]). Muscle endurance mediated by self-perceived fatigue had an indirect effect on the prediction of decline in Basal-ADL (−0.27), Instrumental-ADL (−0.25), and gait speed (−0.28) after 1-year follow-up.

Conclusion

This study showed that low muscle endurance combined with high self-perceived fatigue can predict changes in ADL after 1-year follow-up. These parameters might be very suitable for use in evaluating intrinsic capacity and can help to reduce the limitations in clinical usage of the vitality domain in the framework of intrinsic capacity.
Estimation of fluid salinity using coseismic electric signal generated by an earthquake
Authors: Ma Xinpeng , Liu Yunhe , Yin Changchun , Zhang Bo , Ren Xiuyan
Published: November 2022

The seismoelectric effect is a coupling phenomenon between the seismic wavefield and electromagnetic field caused by the electric double layer in a fluid-saturated porous medium. As seismoelectric signals are sensitive to porous medium properties, such as the water saturation, salinity, porosity and permeability, they have good potential for imaging the structure and estimating underground parameters. In this study, we proposed an inversion method for estimating the salinity using coseismic electric fields generated by electrokinetic effects. The method was established by waveform matching between synthetic and observed coseismic electric signals based on a horizontally layered model. We used an L1 norm measure to construct the regularization term and achieve a high-resolution layer interface. Subsequently, we applied the first-order Taylor expansion to estimate the sensitivity and used logarithm transformation to constrain the range of parameters and reduce the solution space. Finally, we used an iteratively reweighted least-squares method to solve the final Gauss–Newton-type inversion function in each iteration to obtain the model update until the inversion converged. Numerical experiments were conducted to test the resolution, anti-noise ability and stability of the inversion algorithm. These results demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively recover the salinity structure, which broadens the application of seismoelectric effects. We further applied the method to the Mw 6.5 Jiuzhaigou earthquake in 2017 and used the observed coseismic electric field to estimate the salinity and conductivity beneath the station.
Genome-wide identification of copy neutral loss of heterozygosity reveals its possible association with spatial positioning of chromosomes
Authors: Kim Hyeonjeong , Suyama Mikita
Published: November 2022

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) is a genetic alteration that results from the loss of one allele at a heterozygous locus. In particular, copy neutral LOH (CN-LOH) events are generated, for example, by mitotic homologous recombination after monoallelic defection or gene conversion, resulting in novel homozygous locus having two copies of the normal counterpart allele. This phenomenon can serve as a source of genome diversity and is associated with various diseases. To clarify the nature of the CN-LOH such as the frequency, genomic distribution and inheritance pattern, we made use of whole-genome sequencing data of the three-generation CEPH/Utah family cohort, with the pedigree consisting of grandparents, parents and offspring. We identified an average of 40.7 CN-LOH events per individual taking advantage of 285 healthy individuals from 33 families in the cohort. On average 65% of them were classified as gonosomal-mosaicism-associated CN-LOH, which exists in both germline and somatic cells. We also confirmed that the incidence of the CN-LOH has little to do with the parents’ age and sex. Furthermore, through the analysis of the genomic region including the CN-LOH, we found that the chance of the occurrence of the CN-LOH tends to increase at the GC-rich locus and/or on the chromosome having a relatively close inter-homolog distance. We expect that these results provide significant insights into the association between genetic alteration and spatial position of chromosomes as well as the intrinsic genetic property of the CN-LOH.
Laughter of the Oppressor: Humour, Whiteness and Masculinity in Late Rhodesia
Authors: Ginsburgh Nicola
Published: November 2022

In the 1960s and 1970s Rhodesian settlers engaged in a violent struggle to maintain white minority rule. Humour and jokes offer insights into how different sections of the settler population attempted to articulate a distinct Rhodesian-ness in this historical situation. I argue that jokes told by white men, for white men, both expressed an idealized white masculinity and engaged fears over its impossibility. In exploring these dynamics I show how humour can be used to explore the production and regulation of social identities and the symbiotic, unnerving relations between white power and white anxiety.
Evaluating lleal Pouch Anal Anastomosis Function: Time to Expand Our ARM-amentarium
Authors: Luo Yuying , Schmidt Natalia , Dubinsky Marla C , Jaffin Barry , Kayal Maia
Published: November 2022

Background

Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) for medically refractory ulcerative colitis or dysplasia may be associated with structural and inflammatory complications. However, even in their absence, defecatory symptoms secondary to dyssynergic defecation or fecal incontinence may occur. Although anorectal manometry is well established as the diagnostic test of choice for defecatory symptoms, its utility in the assessment of patients with IPAA is less established. In this systematic review, we critically evaluate the existing evidence for anopouch manometry (APM).

Methods

A total of 393 studies were identified, of which 6 studies met all inclusion criteria. Studies were not pooled given different modalities of testing with varying outcome measures.

Results

Overall, less than 10% of symptomatic patients post-IPAA were referred to APM. The prevalence of dyssynergic defecation as defined by the Rome IV criteria in symptomatic patients with IPAA ranged from 47.0% to 100%. Fecal incontinence in patients with IPAA was characterized by decreased mean and maximal resting anal pressure on APM, as well as pouch hyposensitivity. The recto-anal inhibitory reflex was absent in most patients with and without incontinence.

Conclusion

Manometry alone is an imperfect assessment of pouch function in patients with defecatory symptoms, and confirmatory testing may need to be performed with dynamic imaging.
The effect of financial literacy on policy preferences: evidence from Argentina
Authors: Petrachkova Alexandra
Published: November 2022

In this article, I study the role of economic knowledge in economic policy preferences. I find that this domain-specific knowledge has a direct effect on attitudes toward economic issues. Using evidence from two surveys of 7,565 of Argentines, I demonstrate that people who score higher on the financial literacy and economic knowledge tests are more supportive of pro-market economic policies, such as the elimination of trade barriers and subsidies, and integration into the global financial markets. These results are independent of partisan ties, self-interest, or personal investment in financial literacy.
Complementarity or substitution? The interaction effects between knowledge and trust on public attitudes toward genetic modification
Authors: Zhu Yina , He Guangxi , Gao Lu
Published: November 2022

Knowledge and trust are generally viewed as key drivers of favorable attitudes toward technology, but it remains uncertain whether and how different types of knowledge and trust interact with each other in predicting public acceptance. To address this gap, the present study hypothesized that knowledge and trust would exert both main and interaction effects on public opinion. Data from a national survey of public attitudes toward genetic modification (GM) in China were used to test an interactive model of attitudes. We have found that factual knowledge of and perceived familiarity with GM and trust in university scientists interacted as complements, with knowledge impacting positive attitudes more strongly for people who had high levels of trust; while we found no such interaction for knowledge/familiarity and trust in industry scientists and governmental officials. The implications of these findings for future research and policymaking in the domain of science and risk communication are discussed.
Determination of Ethanol in Food by Enzymatic Method Enzytec™ Liquid Ethanol, Collaborative Study: Final Action 2017.07
Authors: Lacorn Markus , Heßler-Noll Michaela , Wehling Paul , Hektor Thomas
Published: November 2022

Background

Enzytec™ Liquid Ethanol was approved as AOAC Official MethodSM2017.07 First Action in September 2017 and is now further characterized by a collaborative study using the manual and automated version of the test.

Method

It is applicable to quantify ethanol in diluted or undiluted kombucha, fruit juices, vegetable juices, and alcohol-free beer samples around 0.5% ABV within 20 min using two ready-to-use reagents and measurement of absorbance at 340 nm.

Results

The overall relative reproducibility standard deviation across a wide concentration range for kombucha was calculated to be 6.99% by modeling the reproducibility standard deviation by the mean concentration for each of the six kombucha pairs by a linear regression. Analysis of juices and beer showed an overall higher variation with an estimated overall RSD(R) value by regression of 10.1%. Mean recovery of aqueous ethanol reference solutions tested by each participant was between 100 and 103%.

Conclusions

The data obtained by this collaborative study show that the EnzytecTMLiquid Ethanol is suitable to quantify ethanol from matrices representing important alcohol-free liquid food categories.

Highlights

The EnzytecTMLiquid Ethanol was approved as AOAC Method 2017.07 Final Action.
Shifts in global mobility dictate the synchrony of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic waves
Authors: Tegally Houriiyah , Khan Kamran , Huber Carmen , de Oliveira Tulio , Kraemer Moritz U G
Published: November 2022

Background

Human mobility changed in unprecedented ways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In March and April 2020, when lockdowns and large travel restrictions began in most countries, global air-travel almost entirely halted (92% decrease in commercial global air travel in the months between February and April 2020). Initial recovery in global air travel started around July 2020 and subsequently nearly tripled between May and July 2021. Here, we aim to establish a preliminary link between global mobility patterns and the synchrony of SARS-CoV-2 epidemic waves across the world.

Methods

We compare epidemic peaks and human global mobility in two time periods: November 2020 to February 2021 (when just over 70 million passengers travelled) and November 2021 to February 2022 (when more than 200 million passengers travelled). We calculate the time interval during which continental epidemic peaks occurred for both of these time periods, and we calculate the pairwise correlations of epidemic waves between all pairs of countries for the same time periods.

Results

We find that as air travel increases at the end of 2021, epidemic peaks around the world are more synchronous with one another, both globally and regionally. Continental epidemic peaks occur globally within a 20 day interval at the end of 2021 compared with 73 days at the end of 2020, and epidemic waves globally are more correlated with one another at the end of 2021.

Conclusions

This suggests that the rebound in human mobility dictates the synchrony of global and regional epidemic waves. In line with theoretical work, we show that in a more connected world, epidemic dynamics are more synchronized.
Use of YEARS Algorithm in Military Health Care Beneficiaries to Evaluate Use of Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography
Authors: Meaney Colleen , Stroer Kenneth , Perdue Matthew , Walker Jerimiah , Umar Mohamad , Mitchell Christopher
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Pulmonary embolism (PE) can be difficult to rule out without computed tomography pulmonary angiograms (CTPAs), as presentations vary. Multiple clinical decision rules (CDRs) exist to risk-stratify patients to avoid unnecessary CTPAs. However, the currently used CDRs are complex, and research has shown low compliance with their usage. The YEARS algorithm is less complex and excludes patients from CTPA if PE is not the most likely diagnosis, they do not have a history of hemoptysis, and no clinical signs of deep vein thrombosis, is less complex. However, no studies have evaluated YEARS in the U.S. Military health care beneficiary population. Therefore, this study sought to determine if implementing the YEARS algorithm could decrease the number of CTPAs ordered to rule out PE in low-risk patients.

Methods

This retrospective, single-center cohort study applied the YEARS algorithm to low-risk military beneficiaries presenting to the emergency department in the calendar year 2020 at a single U.S. Army MTF. The primary outcome was the number of CTPAs indicated by the YEARS algorithm versus the number ordered via standard practice. We used chi-square testing to compare the number of subjects in whom YEARS indicated CTPA (meets criteria/does not meet criteria) versus the actual number of subjects who underwent CTPA (meets criteria/does not meet criteria). The secondary outcomes included applying YEARS similarly to the number of subjects >50 years of age (as opposed to age-adjusted d-dimer), determining the number of pregnant patients who could have avoided CTPA via application of YEARS, and assessing possible cost savings via reduction of CTPA.

Results

We included 353 subjects during the study period, 271 of whom underwent CTPA. YEARS would have only indicated 25 of them, P = .018. In patients >50 years of age, 164 underwent CTPA versus nine who met YEARS criteria, P = .014. Among pregnant patients, six underwent CTPA versus one who YEARS would have indicated, P = .130. Application of the YEARS algorithm would have led to a 90.8% reduction in CTPAs ordered with an overall known missed PE rate of 1.1%. Applying the YEARS algorithm in 2020 could have led to 246 fewer CTPAs at a minimum cost savings of $38,762.22 for the MTF based on the coded billing cost of $157.57 per CTPA when local staff radiologists performed image interpretation. This estimate does not consider the additional undisclosed cost of contracted radiologists interpreting after regular duty hours.

Conclusions

For our military beneficiaries, our study indicates that the YEARS algorithm would have reduced CTPA utilization in all age ranges and potentially among pregnant patients with a known missed PE rate of 1.1%.