bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deep learning enhanced noise spectroscopy of a spin qubit environment
Authors: Martina Stefano , Hernández-Gómez Santiago , Gherardini Stefano , Caruso Filippo , Fabbri Nicole
Published: May 2023

The undesired interaction of a quantum system with its environment generally leads to a coherence decay of superposition states in time. A precise knowledge of the spectral content of the noise induced by the environment is crucial to protect qubit coherence and optimize its employment in quantum device applications. We experimentally show that the use of neural networks (NNs) can highly increase the accuracy of noise spectroscopy, by reconstructing the power spectral density that characterizes an ensemble of carbon impurities around a nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond. NNs are trained over spin coherence functions of the NV center subjected to different Carr–Purcell sequences, typically used for dynamical decoupling (DD). As a result, we determine that deep learning models can be more accurate than standard DD noise-spectroscopy techniques, by requiring at the same time a much smaller number of DD sequences.
Double-stranded RNA immunohistochemistry as a screening tool for viral encephalitis
Authors: Piantadosi Anne , Shariatzadeh Nima , Bombin Andrei , Arkun Knarik , Alexandrescu Sanda , Kleinschmidt-DeMasters B K , Solomon Isaac H
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Viral infections of the central nervous system can be challenging to diagnose because of the wide range of causative agents and nonspecific histologic features. We sought to determine whether detection of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), produced during active RNA and DNA viral infections, could be used to select cases for metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded brain tissue.

Methods

Eight commercially available anti-dsRNA antibodies were optimized for immunohistochemistry (IHC) and the top antibody tested in a series of cases with confirmed viral infections (n = 34) and cases with inflammatory brain lesions of unclear etiology (n = 62).

Results

Among known positives, anti-dsRNA IHC produced a strong cytoplasmic or nuclear staining pattern for Powassan virus, West Nile virus, rabies virus, JC polyoma virus, and adenovirus while failing to detect Eastern equine encephalitis virus, Jamestown Canyon virus, or any herpesvirus. All the unknown cases were negative by anti-dsRNA IHC, while mNGS detected rare viral reads (0.3-1.3 reads per million total reads) in 2 cases (3%), with only 1 having potential clinical significance.

Conclusions

Anti-dsRNA IHC can effectively identify a subset of clinically relevant viral infections but not all. The absence of staining should not exclude cases from mNGS if sufficient clinical and histologic suspicion exists.
Influence of Neighborhood Social and Natural Environment on Prostate Tumor Histology in a Cohort of Male Health Professionals
Authors: Iyer Hari S , Vaselkiv Jane B , Stopsack Konrad H , Roscoe Charlotte , DeVille Nicole V , Zhang Yiwen , Penney Kathryn L , Balk Steven P , Fiorentino Michelangelo , Hart Jaime E , James Peter , De Vivo Immaculata , Mucci Lorelei A , Laden Francine , Rebbeck Timothy R
Published: May 2023

Adverse neighborhood social and natural (green space) environments may contribute to the etiology of prostate cancer (CaP), but mechanisms are unclear. We examined associations between neighborhood environment and prostate intratumoral inflammation in 967 men diagnosed with CaP with available tissue samples from 1986–2009 in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Exposures were linked to work or residential addresses in 1988. We estimated indices of neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) and segregation (Index of Concentration at the Extremes (ICE)) using US Census tract–level data. Surrounding greenness was estimated using seasonal averaged Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data. Surgical tissue underwent pathological review for acute and chronic inflammation, corpora amylacea, and focal atrophic lesions. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for inflammation (ordinal) and focal atrophy (binary) were estimated using logistic regression. No associations were observed for acute or chronic inflammation. Each interquartile-range increase in NDVI within 1,230 m of the participant’s work or home address (aOR = 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59, 0.93), in ICE-income (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.61, 1.04), and in ICE-race/income (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63, 0.99) was associated with lower odds of postatrophic hyperplasia. Interquartile-range increases in nSES (aOR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.57, 1.02) and ICE-race/income (aOR = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.99) were associated with lower odds of tumor corpora amylacea. Histopathological inflammatory features of prostate tumors may be influenced by neighborhood.
Self-Measured Blood Pressure Telemonitoring Programs: A Pragmatic How-to Guide
Authors: McGrath Debra , Meador Margaret , Wall Hilary K , Padwal Raj S
Published: May 2023

Self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) telemonitoring is the process of securely storing and tele-transmitting reliably measured, patient self-performed blood pressure (BP) measurements to healthcare teams, while ensuring that these data are viewable and clinically actionable for the purposes of improving hypertension diagnosis and management. SMBP telemonitoring is a vital component of an overall hypertension control strategy. Herein, we present a pragmatic guide for implementing SMBP in clinical practice and provide a comprehensive list of resources to assist with implementation. Initial steps include defining program goals and scope, selecting the target population, staffing, choosing appropriate (clinically validated) BP devices with proper cuff sizes, and selecting a telemonitoring platform. Adherence to recommended data transmission, security, and data privacy requirements is essential. Clinical workflow implementation involves patient enrollment and training, review of telemonitored data, and initiating or titrating medications in a protocolized fashion based upon this information. Utilizing a team-based care structure is preferred and calculation of average BP for hypertension diagnosis and management is important to align with clinical best practice recommendations. Many stakeholders in the United States are engaged in overcoming challenges to SMBP program adoption. Major barriers include affordability, clinician and program reimbursement, availability of technological elements, challenges with interoperability, and time/workload constraints. Nevertheless, it is anticipated that uptake of SMBP telemonitoring, still at a nascent stage in many parts of the world, will continue to grow, propagated by increased clinician familiarity, broader platform availability, improvements in interoperability, and reductions in costs that occur with scale, competition, and technological innovation.
Access to inclusive and culturally sensitive mental healthcare in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color pharmacy students and residents
Authors: Thakkar Esha , Liu Ina , Hosea Kalynn , Katz Shana , Marks Katie , Hall Sarah , Liu Cat , Harris Suzanne C
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Disparities in accessing culturally sensitive mental healthcare exist and may be exacerbated in pharmacy trainees. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers to culturally sensitive mental healthcare and how to improve access for racially and ethnically minoritized pharmacy students and residents.

Methods

This institutional review board–exempt study included in-person and virtual focus groups. Eligible participants were first-, second-, third-, and fourth-year doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students and pharmacy residents completing a postgraduate year 1 or 2 program who identified as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Barriers to care, identity’s influence on seeking care, and areas in which the training programs are doing well or areas for improvement were assessed. Responses were transcribed and analyzed using an open coding system by 2 reviewers, followed by discussion as a team to reach consensus.

Results

This study enrolled 8 first-year, 5 second-year, 7 third-year, and 2 fourth-year PharmD students and 4 residents (N = 26). Barriers to care included time, access to resources, and internal and external stigma. Identity barriers included cultural and family stigma and lack of representation in therapists with regard to race, ethnicity, and gender. Areas going well included supportive faculty and paid time off, while areas for improvement included wellness days, reduced workload, and increased diversity within the workforce.

Conclusion

This study is the first to identify barriers to culturally sensitive mental healthcare in pharmacy trainees who identify as BIPOC while providing insight on how to increase culturally sensitive mental healthcare resources.
Kimma: flexible linear mixed effects modeling with kinship covariance for RNA-seq data
Authors: Dill-McFarland Kimberly A , Mitchell Kiana , Batchu Sashank , Segnitz Richard Max , Benson Basilin , Janczyk Tomasz , Cox Madison S , Mayanja-Kizza Harriet , Boom William Henry , Benchek Penelope , Stein Catherine M , Hawn Thomas R , Altman Matthew C
Published: May 2023

Motivation

The identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from transcriptomic datasets is a major avenue of research across diverse disciplines. However, current bioinformatic tools do not support covariance matrices in DEG modeling. Here, we introduce kimma (Kinship In Mixed Model Analysis), an open-source R package for flexible linear mixed effects modeling including covariates, weights, random effects, covariance matrices, and fit metrics.

Results

In simulated datasets, kimma detects DEGs with similar specificity, sensitivity, and computational time as limma unpaired and dream paired models. Unlike other software, kimma supports covariance matrices as well as fit metrics like Akaike information criterion (AIC). Utilizing genetic kinship covariance, kimma revealed that kinship impacts model fit and DEG detection in a related cohort. Thus, kimma equals or outcompetes current DEG pipelines in sensitivity, computational time, and model complexity.

Availability and implementation

Kimma is freely available on GitHub https://github.com/BIGslu/kimma with an instructional vignette at https://bigslu.github.io/kimma_vignette/kimma_vignette.html.
ROptimus: a parallel general-purpose adaptive optimization engine
Authors: Johnson Nicholas A G , Tamon Liezel , Liu Xin , Sahakyan Aleksandr B
Published: May 2023

Motivation

Various computational biology calculations require a probabilistic optimization protocol to determine the parameters that capture the system at a desired state in the configurational space. Many existing methods excel at certain scenarios, but fail in others due, in part, to an inefficient exploration of the parameter space and easy trapping into local minima. Here, we developed a general-purpose optimization engine in R that can be plugged to any, simple or complex, modelling initiative through a few lucid interfacing functions, to perform a seamless optimization with rigorous parameter sampling.

Results

ROptimus features simulated annealing and replica exchange implementations equipped with adaptive thermoregulation to drive Monte Carlo optimization process in a flexible manner, through constrained acceptance frequency but unconstrained adaptive pseudo temperature regimens. We exemplify the applicability of our R optimizer to a diverse set of problems spanning data analyses and computational biology tasks.

Availability and implementation

ROptimus is written and implemented in R, and is freely available from CRAN (http://cran.r-project.org/web/packages/ROptimus/index.html) and GitHub (http://github.com/SahakyanLab/ROptimus).
Metapaths: similarity search in heterogeneous knowledge graphs via meta-paths
Authors: Noori Ayush , Li Michelle M , Tan Amelia L M , Zitnik Marinka
Published: May 2023

Heterogeneous knowledge graphs (KGs) have enabled the modeling of complex systems, from genetic interaction graphs and protein-protein interaction networks to networks representing drugs, diseases, proteins, and side effects. Analytical methods for KGs rely on quantifying similarities between entities, such as nodes, in the graph. However, such methods must consider the diversity of node and edge types contained within the KG via, for example, defined sequences of entity types known as meta-paths. We present metapaths, the first R software package to implement meta-paths and perform meta-path-based similarity search in heterogeneous KGs. The metapaths package offers various built-in similarity metrics for node pair comparison by querying KGs represented as either edge or adjacency lists, as well as auxiliary aggregation methods to measure set-level relationships. Indeed, evaluation of these methods on an open-source biomedical KG recovered meaningful drug and disease-associated relationships, including those in Alzheimer’s disease. The metapaths framework facilitates the scalable and flexible modeling of network similarities in KGs with applications across KG learning.

Availability and implementation

The metapaths R package is available via GitHub at https://github.com/ayushnoori/metapaths and is released under MPL 2.0 (Zenodo DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7047209). Package documentation and usage examples are available at https://www.ayushnoori.com/metapaths.
HAMPLE: deciphering TF-DNA binding mechanism in different cellular environments by characterizing higher-order nucleotide dependency
Authors: Wang Zixuan , Xiong Shuwen , Yu Yun , Zhou Jiliu , Zhang Yongqing
Published: May 2023

Motivation

Transcription factor (TF) binds to conservative DNA binding sites in different cellular environments and development stages by physical interaction with interdependent nucleotides. However, systematic computational characterization of the relationship between higher-order nucleotide dependency and TF-DNA binding mechanism in diverse cell types remains challenging.

Results

Here, we propose a novel multi-task learning framework HAMPLE to simultaneously predict TF binding sites (TFBS) in distinct cell types by characterizing higher-order nucleotide dependencies. Specifically, HAMPLE first represents a DNA sequence through three higher-order nucleotide dependencies, including k-mer encoding, DNA shape and histone modification. Then, HAMPLE uses the customized gate control and the channel attention convolutional architecture to further capture cell-type-specific and cell-type-shared DNA binding motifs and epigenomic languages. Finally, HAMPLE exploits the joint loss function to optimize the TFBS prediction for different cell types in an end-to-end manner. Extensive experimental results on seven datasets demonstrate that HAMPLE significantly outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches in terms of auROC. In addition, feature importance analysis illustrates that k-mer encoding, DNA shape, and histone modification have predictive power for TF-DNA binding in different cellular environments and are complementary to each other. Furthermore, ablation study, and interpretable analysis validate the effectiveness of the customized gate control and the channel attention convolutional architecture in characterizing higher-order nucleotide dependencies.

Availability and implementation

The source code is available at https://github.com/ZhangLab312/Hample.
ppBAM: ProteinPaint BAM track for read alignment visualization and variant genotyping
Authors: Paul Robin , Wang Jian , Reilly Colleen , Sioson Edgar , Patel Jaimin , Matt Gavriel , Acić Aleksandar , Zhou Xin
Published: May 2023

ProteinPaint BAM track (ppBAM) is designed to assist variant review for cancer research and clinical genomics. With performant server-side computing and rendering, ppBAM supports on-the-fly variant genotyping of thousands of reads using Smith–Waterman alignment. To better visualize support for complex variants, reads are realigned against the mutated reference sequence using ClustalO. ppBAM also supports the BAM slicing API of the NCI Genomic Data Commons (GDC) portal, letting researchers conveniently examine genomic details of vast amounts of cancer sequencing data and reinterpret variant calls.

Availability and implementation

BAM track examples, tutorial, and GDC file access links are available at https://proteinpaint.stjude.org/bam/. Source code is available at https://github.com/stjude/proteinpaint.
Multisite thalamic recordings to characterize seizure propagation in the human brain
Authors: Wu Teresa Q , Kaboodvand Neda , McGinn Ryan J , Veit Mike , Davey Zachary , Datta Anjali , Graber Kevin D , Meador Kimford J , Fisher Robert , Buch Vivek , Parvizi Josef
Published: May 2023

Neuromodulation of the anterior nuclei of the thalamus (ANT) has shown to be efficacious in a subset of patients with refractory focal epilepsy. One important uncertainty is to what extent thalamic subregions other than the ANT could be recruited more prominently in the propagation of focal onset seizures. We designed the current study to simultaneously monitor the engagement of the ANT, mediodorsal (MD) and pulvinar (PUL) nuclei during seizures in patients who could be candidates for thalamic neuromodulation.

We studied 11 patients with clinical manifestations of presumed temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) undergoing invasive stereo-encephalography (sEEG) monitoring to confirm the source of their seizures. We extended cortical electrodes to reach the ANT, MD and PUL nuclei of the thalamus. More than one thalamic subdivision was simultaneously interrogated in nine patients. We recorded seizures with implanted electrodes across various regions of the brain and documented seizure onset zones (SOZ) in each recorded seizure. We visually identified the first thalamic subregion to be involved in seizure propagation. Additionally, in eight patients, we applied repeated single pulse electrical stimulation in each SOZ and recorded the time and prominence of evoked responses across the implanted thalamic regions.

Our approach for multisite thalamic sampling was safe and caused no adverse events. Intracranial EEG recordings confirmed SOZ in medial temporal lobe, insula, orbitofrontal and temporal neocortical sites, highlighting the importance of invasive monitoring for accurate localization of SOZs. In all patients, seizures with the same propagation network and originating from the same SOZ involved the same thalamic subregion, with a stereotyped thalamic EEG signature. Qualitative visual reviews of ictal EEGs were largely consistent with the quantitative analysis of the corticothalamic evoked potentials, and both documented that thalamic nuclei other than ANT could have the earliest participation in seizure propagation. Specifically, pulvinar nuclei were involved earlier and more prominently than ANT in more than half of the patients. However, which specific thalamic subregion first demonstrated ictal activity could not be reliably predicted based on clinical semiology or lobar localization of SOZs.

Our findings document the feasibility and safety of bilateral multisite sampling from the human thalamus. This may allow more personalized thalamic targets to be identified for neuromodulation. Future studies are needed to determine if a personalized thalamic neuromodulation leads to greater improvements in clinical outcome.
PLACK syndrome caused by novel pathogenic variants in CAST: a case report and literature review
Authors: Hu Bin , Gong Zhuoqing , Peng Sha , Wang Huijin , Chen Liuqing , Lin Zhimiao
Published: May 2023

We report on a patient with PLACK syndrome carrying compound heterozygous novel variants in CAST, and provide a literature review. PLACK syndrome is an extremely rare skin disease with only 10 cases reported worldwide.
Efficacy and safety of supramolecular active zinc in the treatment of scalp psoriasis: a multicentre, randomized, observed-blind, parallel-group, placebo- and active-controlled noninferiority trial
Authors: Yu Chen , Yu Nan , Jiang Xian , Gao Xinghua , Lv Shichao , Wang Gang
Published: May 2023

Background

Controlling the relapses of scalp psoriasis is a clinical issue.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a supramolecular active zinc antidandruff hair conditioner in managing scalp psoriasis (SP).

Methods

This multicentre randomized, observed-blind, parallel-group, placebo- and active-controlled noninferiority trial enrolled 211 patients with SP between October 2018 and June 2019. The participants were randomized 1 : 1 : 1 to the experimental (supramolecular active zinc antidandruff hair conditioner), placebo (supramolecular hydrogel) or positive control (calcipotriol ointment) group. The primary efficacy endpoint was the disease control rate at the end of the fourth week of treatment, measured using the Investigator’s Global Assessment score.

Results

This study included 70, 70 and 71 participants in the experiment, control and placebo groups, respectively. The disease control rates of SP at the end of week 4 of treatment in the full-analysis set (FAS) were 39%, 25% and 37% in the experimental, placebo and control groups. The margin of superiority between the experimental and placebo groups was > 0 [96% confidence interval (CI) 13.22% (0.43% to ∞)] in the FAS. The experimental group was superior to the placebo group. The noninferiority margin between the experiment and control groups was > –15% [96% CI –1.43% (–14.91% to ∞)] in the FAS. The experimental group was not inferior to the control group.

Conclusions

Supramolecular active zinc antidandruff hair conditioner was helpful for the treatment of SP, and it has good clinical efficacy in maintaining therapeutic effect and assisting in preventing the recurrence of psoriasis.
Primary cutaneous lymphomas: exploration of 10-year data from supraregional mutlidisciplinary team meetings in Glasgow, UK
Authors: McCusker Sarah , Ngu Ivy
Published: May 2023

Primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs) are non-Hodgkin lymphomas, presenting in the skin. They are classified into cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (CBCLs) or cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs). The most common CTCL subtypes are mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS). All patient’s cases should be discussed at a specialist multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting. This is the first published review, to our knowledge, of PCL MDT case discussion in the UK. Patient cases between 2008 and 2019 were reviewed to assess: frequency of PCL subtype, documentation of CTCL staging and management of MF/SS. Of 356, 103 (29%) were CBCLs and the majority (n = 200, 56%) were CTCLs. MF/SS was the diagnosis in 120 (34%). Staging was documented in 44% (n = 53) of patients with MF/SS. Management largely followed guidelines for MF/SS, topical corticosteroids were the most common treatment (n = 93, 78%). Frequency of PCL subtype is largely comparable with previously published data. Documentation of CTCL staging is low, but higher than other reports. Our work begins to address the gap in real-world data on CTCLs. A standardized approach to data collection would inform clinical practice.
Rites of Resistance: Urban Liturgy and the Crowd in the Patarine Revolt of Milan, c.1057–75
Authors: Norrie James
Published: May 2023

This essay uses an unexploited liturgical source, a twelfth-century order book by the Milanese cleric Beroldo, to illuminate how processions shaped the practice of the largest and most radical popular movement of the central Middle Ages, the Pataria of Milan, during a pivotal moment of urban change. Religious processions had the power to project episcopal authority across a rapidly expanding urban population. They also sanctioned the redistribution of wealth and resources to city churches. At the same time, they provided a possible grammar of resistance to those who rose up against urban elites. The Pataria struggled at the pulpit and on the streets for the sexual and economic purity of the clergy. It first erupted in the city on 10 May 1057—during a liturgical parade. The conflict between supporters of religious reform on the one hand, and the archbishop’s aristocratic court and clergy on the other, persisted until the movement’s defeat in 1075. Until then, Patarine violence continually disrupted liturgical time, tearing priests from their altars and overturning solemn processions.

The article introduces Beroldo and other Milanese liturgical sources in context, and their value as witnesses to later eleventh-century history. It surveys how episcopal processions responded to urban expansion and developed a growing but unstable social and political importance. With a picture of the urban and liturgical landscape in place, it then investigates how Patarine violence contested the ways that processions, on days such as Easter baptism or the Three Day Litanies, created civic community and communicated relations of power.
Pre-treatment bicarbonate levels and decongestion by acetazolamide: the ADVOR trial
Authors: Martens Pieter , Verbrugge Frederik H , Dauw Jeroen , Nijst Petra , Meekers Evelyne , Augusto Silvio Nunes , Ter Maaten Jozine M , Heylen Line , Damman Kevin , Mebazaa Alexandre , Filippatos Gerasimos , Ruschitzka Frank , Tang Wai Hong Wilson , Dupont Matthias , Mullens Wilfried
Published: May 2023

Aims

Acetazolamide inhibits proximal tubular sodium and bicarbonate re-absorption and improved decongestive response in acute heart failure in the ADVOR trial. It is unknown whether bicarbonate levels alter the decongestive response to acetazolamide.

Methods and results

This is a sub-analysis of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ADVOR trial that randomized 519 patients with acute heart failure and volume overload in a 1:1 ratio to intravenous acetazolamide (500 mg/day) or matching placebo on top of standardized intravenous loop diuretics (dose equivalent of twice oral maintenance dose). The primary endpoint was complete decongestion after 3 days of treatment (morning of day 4). Impact of baseline HCO3 levels on the treatment effect of acetazolamide was assessed. : Of the 519 enrolled patients, 516 (99.4%) had a baseline HCO3 measurement. Continuous HCO3 modelling illustrated a higher proportional treatment effect for acetazolamide if baseline HCO3 ≥ 27 mmol/l. A total of 234 (45%) had a baseline HCO3 ≥ 27 mmol/l. Randomization towards acetazolamide improved decongestive response over the entire range of baseline HCO3− levels (P = 0.004); however, patients with elevated baseline HCO3 exhibited a significant higher response to acetazolamide [primary endpoint: no vs. elevated HCO3; OR 1.37 (0.79–2.37) vs. OR 2.39 (1.35–4.22), P-interaction = 0.065), with higher proportional diuretic and natriuretic response (both P-interaction < 0.001), greater reduction in congestion score on consecutive days (treatment × time by HCO3-interaction <0.001) and length of stay (P-interaction = 0.019). The larger proportional treatment effect was mainly explained by the development of diminished decongestive response in the placebo arm (loop diuretics only), both with regard to reaching the primary endpoint of decongestion as well as reduction in congestion score. Development of elevated HCO3 further worsened decongestive response in the placebo arm (P-interaction = 0.041). A loop diuretic only strategy was associated with an increase in the HCO3 during the treatment phase which was prevented by acetazolamide (day 3: placebo 74.8% vs. acetazolamide 41.3%, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Acetazolamide improves decongestive response over the entire range of HCO3− levels; however, the treatment response is magnified in patients with baseline or loop diuretic-induced elevated HCO3 (marker of proximal nephron NaHCO3 retention) by specifically counteracting this component of diuretic resistance.
Regional disparity on patient characteristics and perceptions after implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantation: results from an EHRA patient survey
Authors: Januszkiewicz Łukasz , Barra Sérgio , Providencia Rui , Chun Julian K R , Conte Giulio , Farkowski Michał M , Guerra Jose M , Marijon Eloi , de Asmundis Carlo , Boveda Serge
Published: May 2023

Aims

The aim of this study was to identify potential regional disparities in characteristics of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) recipients, patient perceptions and perspectives after implantation and level of information provided to patients.

Methods and results

The prospective, multicentre, and multinational European Heart Rhythm Association patient Survey ‘Living with an ICD’ included patients already implanted with an ICD (median ICD dwell time – 5 years, interquartile range 2–10). An online questionnaire was filled-in by patients invited from 10 European countries. A total of 1809 patients (the majority in their 40s to 70s, 65.5% men) were enrolled, with 877 (48.5%) from Western Europe (group 1), followed by 563 from Central/Eastern Europe (group 2, 31.1%), and 369 from Southern Europe (group 3, 20.4%). A total of 52.9% of Central/Eastern Europe patients reported increased satisfaction after ICD placement compared with 46.6% from Western and 33.1% from Southern Europe (1 vs. 2 P = 0.047, 1 vs. 3 P < 0.001, 2 vs. 3 P < 0.001). About 79.2% of Central/Eastern and 76.0% of Southern Europe patients felt optimally informed at the time of device implantation compared with just 64.6% from Western Europe (1 vs. 2 P < 0.001, 1 vs. 3 P < 0.001, 2 vs. 3 P = ns).

Conclusions

While physicians in Southern Europe should address the patients’ concerns about the impact of the ICD on quality of life, physicians from Western Europe should focus on improving the quality of information provided to their prospective ICD patients. Novel strategies to address regional differences in patients’ quality of life and provision of information are warranted.
National policies on physical activity from 64 countries with different economies: a scoping review with thematic analysis
Authors: Minatto Giseli , Silva Kelly Samara , Bandeira Alexsandra da Silva , dos Santos Priscila Cristina , Sandreschi Paula Fabricio , Manta Sofia Wolker , da Silva Juliana Rezende Melo , Parente Raphael Câmara Medeiros , Barbosa Filho Valter Cordeiro
Published: May 2023

In 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (PA), which included 20 policy actions for creating active societies, environments, people and systems. The objective of this scoping review was to summarize the themes/contents of national PA policies/plans conforming to the WHO’s proposals and the country’s economy. This review followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for scoping reviews. A systematic search of electronic databases (Web of Science, Medline/PubMed, LILACS, PsycINFO, Scopus and SPORTDiscus) and 441 government documents/websites from 215 countries/territories was conducted (February 2021). Documents on national-level policies, published in English, Spanish and Portuguese since 2000, were eligible. The information on content and structure was systematically extracted and summarized into dimensions proposed by the WHO: active societies, environments, people and systems. The search identified 888 article references and 586 potentially relevant documents. After the screening, 84 policy documents from 64 countries were eligible. Most documents (n = 46) provided detailed PA policies/plans amid other health topics (e.g. non-communicable diseases, named ‘general documents’), and 38 were PA-specific. The content analysis merged 54 visions, 65 missions, 108 principles, 119 objectives, 53 priorities, 105 targets, 126 indicators and 1780 actions/strategies from 38 PA-specific and 46 general documents. Among the PA-specific documents, the active system’s dimension was the most contemplated in the principles (n = 43), priorities (n = 51) and action/strategies (n = 530) elements. At the same time, the objectives (n = 39), targets (n = 52) and indicators (n = 58) presented contents more frequently related to the active people dimension. For the general documents, all principles (n = 4), objectives (n = 14) and priorities (n = 7) were related to the dimension of active people, while target (n = 51), indicator (n = 53) and actions/strategies (n = 292) elements presented content related to all dimensions. The increase in countries with national PA policies/plans should be followed by improving the current ones because important dimensions seem to be not considered in these documents. This will facilitate a global PA agenda that considers the complexity and multidimensionality of PA promotion.
ABI5 promotes heat stress-induced chlorophyll degradation by modulating the stability of MYB44 in cucumber
Authors: Liu Weikang , Chen Guangling , He Mingming , Wu Jianqiang , Wen Wenxu , Gu Qinsheng , Guo Shirong , Wang Yu , Sun Jin
Published: May 2023

The yellowing of leaves caused by the decomposition of chlorophyll (Chl) is a characteristic event during senescence, which can be induced by various environmental stresses. However, the molecular mechanisms of high temperature-induced Chl degradation in horticultural plants remain poorly understood. Here, we found that heat stress induced Chl degradation and the expression of ABI5 and MYB44 in cucumber. Silencing of ABI5 compromised heat stress-induced Chl degradation, and the transcription of pheophytinase (PPH) and pheophorbide a oxygenase (PAO), two key genes in Chl catabolic pathway, but silencing of MYB44 exhibited the opposite results. Furthermore, ABI5 interacted with MYB44 in vitro and in vivo. ABI5 positively regulated heat stress-induced Chl degradation through two pathways. ABI5 directly bound to PPH and PAO promoters to promote their expression, leading to accelerating Chl degradation. On the other hand, the interaction between ABI5 and MYB44 reduced the binding of MYB44 to PPH and PAO promoters and led to the ubiquitination-depended protein degradation of MYB44, thereby alleviating the transcription inhibitory effect of MYB44 on PPH and PAO. Taken together, our findings propose a new regulatory network for ABI5 in regulating heat stress-induced Chl degradation.
Growth and diet of a larval myctophid across distinct upwelling regimes in the California Current
Authors: Swieca K , Sponaugle S , Schmid M S , Ivory J , Corrales-Ugalde M , Sutherland K R , Cowen R K
Published: May 2023

Eastern boundary systems support major fisheries of species whose early stages depend on upwelling production. However, upwelling can be highly variable at the regional scale, leading to complex patterns of feeding, growth, and survival for taxa that are broadly distributed in space and time. The northern California Current (NCC) is characterized by latitudinal variability in the seasonality and intensity of coastal upwelling. We examined the diet and larval growth of a dominant myctophid (Stenobrachius leucopsarus) in the context of their prey and predators in distinct NCC upwelling regimes. Larvae exhibited significant differences in diet and growth, with greater seasonal than latitudinal variability. In winter, during reduced upwelling, growth was substantially slower, guts less full, and diets dominated by copepod nauplii. During summer upwelling, faster-growing larvae had guts that were more full from feeding on calanoid copepods and relying less heavily on lower trophic level prey. Yet, our findings revealed a dome-shaped relationship with the fastest growth occurring at moderate upwelling intensity. High zooplanktivorous predation pressure led to above average growth, which may indicate the selective loss of slower-growing larvae. Our results suggest that species whose spatio-temporal distributions encompass multiple regional upwelling regimes experience unique feeding and predation environments throughout their range with implications for larval survivorship.
Predictors of 5-Year Persistence of Antibody Responses to Zoster Vaccines
Authors: Weinberg Adriana , Scott Schmid D , Leung Jessica , Johnson Michael J , Miao Congrong , Levin Myron J
Published: May 2023

Background

Protection against herpes zoster is primarily conferred by cell-mediated immunity. However, anti–varicella-zoster virus (VZV) glycoprotein (anti-gp) antibody responses to zoster vaccine live (ZVL) are correlated with protection, suggesting a potential protective role for antibody. Detailed studies of antibody responses to the recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) are provided.

Methods

We compared enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay–measured anti–VZV glycoproteins (anti-gp) and glycoprotein E (anti-gE) antibody levels and avidity in 159 participants randomized to RZV (n = 80) or ZVL (n = 79) recipients over 5 years after vaccination and identified predictors of antibody persistence.

Results

The comparison between vaccine groups showed higher anti-gE and anti-gp antibody levels after RZV than after ZVL over the 5-year study duration. RZV recipients also had higher anti-gE avidity for 5 years and higher anti-gp avidity in the first year after vaccination. Compared with prevaccination levels, RZV recipients maintained higher levels of anti-gE antibodies and avidity for 5 years, whereas ZVL recipients only maintained higher anti-gE avidity. Anti-gp antibody levels and avidity decreased to prevaccination levels or below beyond 1 year after vaccination in both groups. Independent predictors of persistence of antibody levels and avidity included vaccine type, prevaccination and peak antibody levels and avidity, prevaccination and peak cell-mediated immunity, and age. Sex or prior ZVL administration did not affect persistence.

Conclusions

Antibody responses and avidity were higher and more persistent in RZV than in ZVL recipients. The effect of age on antibody persistence in RZV recipients is novel.
Immunogenicity and Reactogenicity of Messenger RNA Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Booster Administered by Intradermal or Intramuscular Route in Thai Older Adults
Authors: Assantachai Prasert , Niyomnaitham Suvimol , Chatthanawaree Wichai , Intalapaporn Somboon , Muangpaisan Weerasak , Phannarus Harisd , Saichompoo Rangsimatiti Binda , Sura-amonrattana Unchana , Wongprompitak Patimaporn , Toh Zheng Quan , Licciardi Paul V , Srisutthisamphan Kanjana , Chokephaibulkit Kulkanya
Published: May 2023

Background

Intradermal (ID) vaccination may alleviate COVID-19 vaccine shortages and vaccine hesitancy.

Methods

Persons aged ≥65 years who were vaccinated with 2-dose ChAdOx1 12–24 weeks earlier were randomized to receive a booster vaccination by either ID (20 µg mRNA-1273 or 10 µg BNT162b2) or intramuscular (IM) (100 µg mRNA-1273 or 30 µg BNT162b2) route. Anti–receptor-binding domain (RBD) immunoglobulin G (IgG), neutralizing antibody (NAb), and interferon gamma (IFN-γ)–producing cells were measured at 2–4 weeks following vaccination.

Results

Of 210 participants enrolled, 70.5% were female and median age was 77.5 (interquartile range, 71–84) years. Following booster dose, both ID vaccinations induced 37% lower levels of anti-RBD IgG compared with IM vaccination of the same vaccine. NAb titers against ancestral and Omicron BA.1 were highest following IM mRNA-1273 (geometric mean, 1718 and 617), followed by ID mRNA-1273 (1212 and 318), IM BNT162b2 (713 and 230), and ID BNT162b2 (587 and 148), respectively. Spike-specific IFN-γ responses were similar or higher in the ID groups compared with IM groups. ID route tended to have fewer systemic adverse events (AEs), although more local AEs were reported in the ID mRNA-1273 group.

Conclusions

Fractional ID vaccination induced lower humoral but comparable cellular immunity compared to IM and may be an alternative for older people.

Clinical Trials Registration

TCTR20220112002.
195 Fescue Toxicosis: Understanding the Fungal Cause and the Fungal Solution
Authors: Young Carolyn A
Published: May 2023

Dr. Young has been internationally recognized for research on seed transmitted fungal endophytes and their impact on forage grazing systems, endophyte diversity in native grasses and crop wild relatives, pecan scab and a root rot pathogen of alfalfa. She has discovered genes for the synthesis of bioprotective alkaloids, identified and described new endophyte species, and developed genomic and culture resources. Dr. Young will share research on utilizing genomic techniques to better understand the various endophyte species in forage grazing systems.
33 Supplementation Level Effects on Early-Weaned Beef Calves Receiving Annual Ryegrass
Authors: Lazarin Joao , Vendramini Joao , Moriel Philipe , Silva Hiran , Izquierdo Vinicius , Garzon Jaime , Lage Nauara
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of concentrate supplementation levels on performance and DM intake of early-weaned beef calves consuming annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorium). The experiments were conducted at the UF/IFAS Range Cattle Research and Education Center, Ona, FL from January to May 2022. In experiment 1, treatments were two levels of concentrate supplementation (0.75% or 1.0% of BW) distributed in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Concentrate was fed daily and had 18% CP and 78% TDN. Thirty-two Angus crossbred calves were weaned with 90 ± 14 kg BW at 76 ± 10 d of age and allocated to 1 of 8 annual ryegrass pastures (experimental units; 0.3 ha/pasture; 4 calves/pasture) with a continuous and fixed stocking rate. Herbage mass and nutritive value were estimated every 14 d and calves were weighed every 28 d. There was no difference in herbage mass (mean = 1.300 kg DM/ha; P = 0.44; SE = 0.46), herbage allowance (mean = 0.86 kg DM/kg LW; P = 0.66; SE = 0.03), CP (mean = 24.4%; P = 0.46; SE = 0.78), and in vitro digestible organic matter (mean = 77%; P = 0.49; SE = 1) concentration between treatments. There was a treatment × month interaction on ADG and the interaction occurred because calves receiving 1% BW had greater ADG than 0.75% BW in April (1.0 vs. 0.8 kg/d; P = 0.04; 0.03) but there were no differences between treatments in February, March, and May. In experiment 2, treatments were supplementation with 0.75% or 1.0% BW concentrate distributed in a complete randomized design with seven replicates. Fourteen steers calves (166 ± 17 kg BW) from experiment 1 were maintained in the same treatment, transferred to a drylot (1 steer/pen), and evaluated for forage and total DM intake, and in vivo DM digestibility. Ground annual ryegrass hay (11% CP, 58% IVDOM) was offered and adjusted to allow 10% refusals. There was no difference in forage DM intake (mean = 1.8 kg DM/d; P = 0.3; SE = 0.06) between treatments but calves receiving 1.0% BW had greater total DM intake (2.7 vs. 2.5 kg DM/d; P = 0.05; SE = 0.06) and in vivo DM digestibility (77 vs. 75%; P < 0.01; SE = 0.53) than 0.75% BW. Decreasing concentrate supplementation level from 1.0 to 0.75% BW may be a viable management practice to reduce cost of developing early weaned beef calves grazing annual ryegrass.
115 A Challenging and Motivational Presentation to Past, Present and Future Animal and Forage Scientists and Professionals
Authors: Ballerstedt Peter J
Published: May 2023

Today’s 20-something graduate students will be close to 50-something professionals by midcentury. They have the opportunity, perhaps even the ethical and moral duty, to sustainably increase supply of animal source foods in humanity’s global food supply. The world these animal and forage science professionals will serve will contain perhaps 2 billion more human beings, with most of this increase coming from people living to 70 years old and beyond. Malnutrition, broadly and properly understood, is already an existential crisis today. Global agriculture will be required to produce not just more food, but food of greater nutritional value. Animal agriculture in general, and ruminant animal agriculture in particular, is an essential part of all food systems. Any sincere conversation about sustainable food systems must include efforts to increase the affordability and accessibility of culturally appropriate animal source foods. Improved livestock-cropping systems, which will include forages of various types, offer the potential to produce more food from the same land without increasingly expensive inputs of fertilizer and energy while stewarding precious resources. The unique ecological role of ruminant animals and their essential role in converting human-inedible biomass into high-quality sources of essential nutrition will be a fundamental part of these systems. The sustainable intensification of global animal agriculture must become a high priority of funding for research and teaching during the next two and one half decades. These realities exist, however, in a climate dominated by anti-animal agriculture messaging in media and political debates. What can we older professionals be doing to recruit, train and equip the next generation(s) of animal and forage scientists who must meet this challenge?
74 Ovulatory Follicle and Corpus Luteum Development ofBos Taurus Cows Under Nutrient Restriction
Authors: Craun Hannah , Goncherenko Guillermo , Pancini Stefania , Dias Nicholas W , Vidlund Trinity , Klonicke Zachary , White Baker , Seekford Emma , Pent Gabriel J , Henry Darren H , Ealy Alan , Biase Fernando , Pohler Ky , Lamb Cliff C , Mercadante Vitor R G
Published: May 2023

Establishment and maintenance of pregnancy is a central concern to the cattle industry, as it strongly impacts efficiency and profitability of beef cow-calf operations. The objective of this study was to determine if nutrient restriction impacts ovulatory follicle size and corpus luteum (CL) volume of Angus cows enrolled in estrous synchronization. A total of 26 Angus cows were housed at the Virginia Tech – Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Education Center (SVAREC) equipped with a Calan gate system for individual animal intake, stratified by body weight (BW) and randomly assigned to one of two treatments: 1) a maintenance diet that provided 100% of nutrient requirements (MTN; n = 13) or 2) a diet providing 70% of nutrient requirements (REST; n = 13). Nutrient requirements were calculated and adjusted weekly based on BW using the 2016 NRC version of Beef Cattle Nutrient Requirements Model Software. Cattle underwent an acclimation period of4 days and were exposed to nutritional treatments for 30 days before estrous synchronization. Body weight was measured daily using an automated scale, and a conventional livestock scale at the beginning and end of the experiment. Cows were synchronized using a 7-day CO-synch + CIDR protocol beginning on day -10. An estrus alert patch was applied on day -3 and read on day 0 to assess expression of estrus. Ultrasonography of the ovaries was performed at each event of the estrous synchronization protocol. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Initial BW was similar between treatments (P = 0.07; 600 ± 32 kg), but MTN compared with REST cows had greater final BW (P < 0.01; 687 ± 24 and 556 ± 27 kg, respectively) and greater average daily gain (1.35 ± 0.18 and -0.72 ± 0.21 kg/d, respectively). Estrus expression was numerically greater (P = 0.185) MTN (84.62%) than REST (61.54%) cows. Diameter of the largest follicle was similar (P = 0.851) between treatments at the CIDR insertion (12.6 ± 0.6 mm) and CIDR removal (12.9 ± 0.4 mm), but were greater for MTN than REST cows at 60 hours after CIDR removal (14.01 ± 0.6 and 12.37 ± 0.5 mm, respectively). Volume of CL was similar (P > 0.01) at 5 (3211 ±13 mm3) and 7 (5280.3 ± 212 mm3) days after ovulation. In conclusion, nutrient restriction during estrous synchronization negatively affects diameter of the ovulatory follicle, but it did not affect subsequent CL volume in mature Angus cows.