bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural Properties of Mercapto Stabilizers on an Autocatalytic Pure Copper Metal Deposition
Authors: Balaramesh P , Jayalakshmi S , Anitha V , Fdo Absara , Venkatesh P
Published: October 2022

This article focuses on the effect of mercapto additives on electroless pure copper thin film deposition. The copper deposits produced by the autocatalytic bath comprising xylitol, glyoxylic acid, and potassium hydroxide as complexing agents, reducing agents, and pH adjusters, respectively, were of superior grade. pH 13.0 ± 0.25 and 45°C were ideal bathing conditions. In order to improve the thermal stability and the good take hold off with copper, a trace quantity of methanesulphonic acid was used. Nitrogen and sulphur containing heterocyclic compounds such as 2-mercaptopyridine and 2-mercaptopyrimidine were used as the bath stabilizers. 1 ppm of the mercapto stabilizers stabilizes the bath conditions and their inhibiting potential was studied. The influence of the fundamental bath parameters on autocatalytic pure copper deposition have been investigated in our study. Physical properties and stability were characterized by the gravimetric method. The diffraction method was used to examine the structural characteristics of the copper deposits.
The Oberbeck–Boussinesq system with non-local boundary conditions
Authors: Abbatiello Anna , Feireisl Eduard
Published: October 2022

We consider the Oberbeck–Boussinesq system with non-local boundary conditions arising as a singular limit of the full Navier–Stokes–Fourier system in the regime of low Mach and low Froude numbers. The existence of strong solutions is shown on a maximal time interval

[
0
,

T

m
a
x

)

[0, T_{\mathrm {max}})

. Moreover,

T

m
a
x

=
∞

T_{\mathrm {max}} = \infty

in the two-dimensional setting.
Basal bodies bend in response to ciliary forces
Authors: Junker Anthony D. , Woodhams Louis G. , Soh Adam W. J. , O’Toole Eileen T. , Bayly Philip V. , Pearson Chad G.
Published: October 2022

It is found that basal bodies bend in coordination with the motile ciliary beating pattern. Environmental temperature, ciliary waveform, and each intra- and interbasal body connection differentially impact the patterns of basal body bending that, in turn, affect ciliary beating.
All-cause and in-hospital mortality after aspirin use in patients hospitalized with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Baral Nischit , Mitchell Joshua D , Savarapu Pramod K , Akanbi Maxwell , Acharya Bandana , Kambalapalli Soumya , Seri Amith , Bashyal Krishna P , Kunadi Arvind , Ojha Niranjan , Volgman Annabelle Santos , Gupta Tripti , Paul Timir K
Published: October 2022

Background

With the results of the largest randomized controlled trial (RECOVERY) and the most extensive retrospective cohort study on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recently published, we performed a meta-analysis on the association of aspirin with mortality of COVID-19. We aimed to investigate the role of aspirin in COVID-19 hospitalizations.

Materials and Methods

We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane databases for studies from 1 January 2020 until 20 July 2022, that compared aspirin versus non-aspirin use in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We excluded case reports, review articles and studies on non-hospitalized COVID-19 infections. We used the inverse variance method and random effects model to pool the individual studies.

Results

Ten observational studies and one randomized controlled trial met the criteria for inclusion. There were 136 695 total patients, of which 27 168 were in the aspirin group and 109 527 were in the non-aspirin group. Aspirin use was associated with a 14% decrease in all-cause mortality compared with non-aspirin use in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 [relative risk (RR) 0.86, confidence interval (95% CI) 0.76–0.97; P = 0.002; I2 =64%]. Among subgroups of studies reporting in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 hospitalizations, aspirin use was associated with a 16% decrease in in-hospital mortality compared with non-aspirin use (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71–0.99; P = 0.007; I2 =64%).

Conclusion

Our study shows that aspirin decreases in-hospital mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Further studies are needed to assess which COVID-19 patient populations benefit most, such as patients on aspirin for primary versus secondary prevention of atherosclerotic disease. In addition, significant bleeding also needs to be considered when assessing the risk–benefit of aspirin use.
Common signatures of differential microRNA expression in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease brains
Authors: Dobricic Valerija , Schilling Marcel , Farkas Ildiko , Gveric Djordje O , Ohlei Olena , Schulz Jessica , Middleton Lefkos , Gentleman Steve M , Parkkinen Laura , Bertram Lars , Lill Christina M
Published: October 2022

Dysregulation of microRNA gene expression has been implicated in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s disease. However, the individual dysregulated microRNAs remain largely unknown. Previous meta-analyses have highlighted several microRNAs being differentially expressed in post-mortem Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer's disease brains versus controls, but they were based on small sample sizes. In this study, we quantified the expression of the most compelling Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease microRNAs from these meta-analyses (‘candidate miRNAs’) in one of the largest Parkinson’s/Alzheimer’s disease case–control post-mortem brain collections available (n = 451), thereby quadruplicating previously investigated sample sizes. Parkinson’s disease candidate microRNA hsa-miR-132-3p was differentially expressed in our Parkinson’s (P = 4.89E−06) and Alzheimer’s disease samples (P = 3.20E−24) compared with controls. Alzheimer’s disease candidate microRNAs hsa-miR-132-5p (P = 4.52E−06) and hsa-miR-129-5p (P = 0.0379) were differentially expressed in our Parkinson’s disease samples. Combining these novel data with previously published data substantially improved the statistical support (α = 3.85E−03) of the corresponding meta-analyses, clearly implicating these microRNAs in both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, hsa-miR-132-3p/-5p (but not hsa-miR-129-5p) showed association with α-synuclein neuropathological Braak staging (P = 3.51E−03/P = 0.0117), suggesting that hsa-miR-132-3p/-5p play a role in α-synuclein aggregation beyond the early disease phase. Our study represents the largest independent assessment of recently highlighted candidate microRNAs in Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease brains, to date. Our results implicate hsa-miR-132-3p/-5p and hsa-miR-129-5p to be differentially expressed in both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, pinpointing shared pathogenic mechanisms across these neurodegenerative diseases. Intriguingly, based on publicly available high-throughput sequencing of RNA isolated by cross-linking immunoprecipitation data, hsa-miR-132 may interact with SNCA messenger RNA in the human brain, possibly pinpointing novel therapeutic approaches in fighting Parkinson’s disease.
A Lattice-Based Redactable Signature Scheme using Cryptographic Accumulators for Trees
Authors: Zhao Yong , Yang Shaojun , Wu Wei , Huang Xinyi
Published: October 2022

Redactable signatures allow the signature holder to remove admissible data blocks in the signed data while generating valid signatures about different redacted data without communicating with the primary signer. Now, this sort of signature has attracted widespread attention due to its many application scenarios such as electronic medical records, smart grids and XML files. However, there are rarely redactable signature schemes that can resist quantum attacks so far. In the wake of quantum calculation era, it is essential to blossom more quantum-resistant redactable signatures for different data structures. Moreover, it is popular to use accumulators to design redactable signature schemes. Unfortunately, the existing accumulators do not support tree data structures. Therefore, this paper first gives the definition of accumulator schemes for trees, and designs a lattice-based accumulator scheme for trees. Our accumulator scheme features shorter accumulator values and a faster witness generation algorithm than existing lattice trapdoor accumulators. Second, this paper resorts to approximate trapdoors and the preimage sampleable technique, and presents a lattice-based redactable signature scheme for trees using our accumulator scheme. Meanwhile, this scheme fulfills unforgeability, transparency and privacy under adaptive chosen-message attacks. Furthermore, the experiment results show that the redactable signature scheme meets actual revision requirements well.
The mating system of Himalayan marmots as inferred by microsatellite markers
Authors: Chen Yi , Guo Cheng , Zhou Shuailing , Xiang Zuofu
Published: October 2022

The Himalayan marmot Marmota himalayana is widely distributed across the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and lives in social groups, yet the mating system of this highly social marmot species is unknown. In this study, the genetic mating system of Himalayan marmots was investigated using microsatellite markers to determine which mating strategies individuals employ. Results revealed that both monogamous and polygamous mating relationships occur in our study population, indicating that the genetic mating system of this marmot species is promiscuity. This study presents the first genetic evidence on the mating system for Himalayan marmots, yet indicates that further studies employing both a genetic and behavioral framework are needed to better understand the social structure and reproductive biology of this marmot species.
Same place, different time, head up: Multiple antipredator responses to a recolonizing apex predator
Authors: Esattore Bruno , Rossi Agnese Carlotta , Bazzoni Francesco , Riggio Chiara , Oliveira Raquel , Leggiero Ivan , Ferretti Francesco
Published: October 2022

Prey adjust their antipredator behavioral tactics to minimize the risk of an encounter with predators. Spatiotemporal responses of prey to predators have been reported, but the nature of antipredator response is not ubiquitous and it is the object of increasing interest, especially considering the recent recovery of large carnivores in Europe, and the potential for behavioral antipredator responses to elicit consequences at the ecosystem level. We have tested multiple antipredator responses by fallow deer Dama dama to wolf Canis lupus in a Mediterranean protected area recently recolonized by this apex predator. Through intensive camera trapping, we tested for temporal and spatial association between predator and prey, and we have also studied deer vigilance in forest habitats where focal observations are usually impossible. Wolf detection rates were spatially associated with those of fallow deer. Accordingly, no evidence was found for fallow deer avoiding sites with higher predator detection rates. Temporal activity patterns were significantly different between the 2 species, with the wolf being mainly nocturnal whereas fallow deer was active especially during daylight. A comparison with a preliminary study strongly suggests an increase in the diurnal activity of fallow deer along with the stabilization of wolf presence in the area. Both the rate and the duration of vigilance of female fallow deer increased with the local frequency of wolf activity. We suggest an antipredator response based on temporal—rather than spatial—avoidance, as well as increased vigilance.
Bleeding and ischaemic events after first bleed in anticoagulated atrial fibrillation patients: risk and timing
Authors: Meyre Pascal B , Blum Steffen , Hennings Elisa , Aeschbacher Stefanie , Reichlin Tobias , Rodondi Nicolas , Beer Jürg H , Stauber Annina , Müller Andreas , Sinnecker Tim , Moutzouri Elisavet , Paladini Rebecca E , Moschovitis Giorgio , Conte Giulio , Auricchio Angelo , Ramadani Alexandra , Schwenkglenks Matthias , Bonati Leo H , Kühne Michael , Osswald Stefan , Conen David
Published: October 2022

Aims

To determine the risk of subsequent adverse clinical outcomes in anticoagulated patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who experienced a new bleeding event.

Methods and results

Anticoagulated AF patients were followed in two prospective cohort studies. Information on incident bleeding was systematically collected during yearly follow-up visits and events were adjudicated as major bleeding or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) according to the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis guidelines. The primary outcome was a composite of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), or all-cause death. Time-updated multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models were used to compare outcomes in patients with and without incident bleeding. Median follow-up was 4.08 years [interquartile range (IQR): 2.93–5.98]. Of the 3277 patients included (mean age 72 years, 28.5% women), 646 (19.7%) developed a new bleeding, 297 (9.1%) a major bleeding and 418 (12.8%) a CRNMB. The incidence of the primary outcome was 7.08 and 4.04 per 100 patient-years in patients with and without any bleeding [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16–1.61; P < 0.001; median time between a new bleeding and a primary outcome 306 days (IQR: 23–832)]. Recurrent bleeding occurred in 126 patients [incidence, 8.65 per 100 patient-years (95% CI: 7.26–10.30)]. In patients with and without a major bleeding, the incidence of the primary outcome was 11.00 and 4.06 per 100 patient-years [aHR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.69–2.46; P < 0.001; median time to a primary outcome 142 days (IQR: 9–518)], and 59 had recurrent bleeding [11.61 per 100 patient-years (95% CI: 8.99–14.98)]. The incidence of the primary outcome was 5.29 and 4.55 in patients with and without CRNMB [aHR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.76–1.15; P = 0.53; median time to a composite outcome 505 days (IQR: 153–1079)], and 87 had recurrent bleeding [8.43 per 100 patient-years (95% CI: 6.83–10.40)]. Patients who had their oral anticoagulation (OAC) discontinued after their first bleeding episode had a higher incidence of the primary composite than those who continued OAC (63/89 vs. 159/557 patients; aHR: 4.46, 95% CI: 3.16–6.31; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In anticoagulated AF patients, major bleeding but not CRNMB was associated with a high risk of adverse outcomes, part of which may be explained by OAC discontinuation. Most events occurred late after the bleeding episode, emphasizing the importance of long-term follow-up in these patients.
Standardized pre-procedural clinical workup for protected percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Al-Rashid Fadi , Van Mieghem Nicolas M , Bonello Laurent , Oreglia Jacopo , Romagnoli Enrico
Published: October 2022

In addition to appropriate patient screening, pre-procedural preparation is essential to optimize both technical success and patient outcome for protected percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A critical component of optimization is the identification and preparation of a suitable femoral access site. Here, we describe several options for both imaging and image-guided access to optimize the approach.
Integrative analysis of transcriptome reveals the possible mechanism of delayed leaf senescence in pak choi (Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis) following melatonin treatment
Authors: Liu Xuesong , Li Yuntong , Zhu Junzhen , Li Pengxia
Published: October 2022

Melatonin (MT) is a low molecular weight compound with a wide variety of biological functions in plants. It is known to delay senescence in various fruits and vegetables. This study demonstrates that MT (100 μmol/L) delayed the senescence of pak choi stored at 20 °C. A total of 1121 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in an MT-treated group in comparison to untreated pak choi. Analysis of DEGs revealed that MT-induced delay in senescence involved reduction in the expression of chlorophyll metabolism genes and regulation of the expression of hormone-related genes and leaf senescence-related transcription factors. MT decreased the activity of chlorophyll metabolism-related enzymes Mg-dechelatase, pheophytinase, and pheide a oxygenase, decreased the concentrations of abscisic acid and jasmonic acid, and increased auxin concentration. MT delayed the impact of senescence-related transcription factors BcNAC41 and BcNAC87 on tobacco leaf senescence. This study provides an insight into the molecular mechanisms of MT-induced delay of postharvest senescence in pak choi and confirms its potential as a preservation technique.
Gene Recruitments and Dismissals in the Argonaut Genome Provide Insights into Pelagic Lifestyle Adaptation and Shell-like Eggcase Reacquisition
Authors: Yoshida Masa-aki , Hirota Kazuki , Imoto Junichi , Okuno Miki , Tanaka Hiroyuki , Kajitani Rei , Toyoda Atsushi , Itoh Takehiko , Ikeo Kazuho , Sasaki Takenori , Setiamarga Davin H E
Published: October 2022

The paper nautilus or greater argonaut, Argonauta argo, is a species of octopods which is characterized by its pelagic lifestyle and by the presence of a protective spiral-shaped shell-like eggcase in females. To reveal the genomic background of how the species adapted to the pelagic lifestyle and acquired its shell-like eggcase, we sequenced the draft genome of the species. The genome size was 1.1 Gb, which is the smallest among the cephalopods known to date, with the top 215 scaffolds (average length 5,064,479 bp) covering 81% (1.09 Gb) of the total assembly. A total of 26,433 protein-coding genes were predicted from 16,802 assembled scaffolds. From these, we identified nearly intact HOX, Parahox, Wnt clusters, and some gene clusters that could probably be related to the pelagic lifestyle, such as reflectin, tyrosinase, and opsin. The gene models also revealed several homologous genes related to calcified shell formation in Conchiferan mollusks, such as Pif-like, SOD, and TRX. Interestingly, comparative genomics analysis revealed that the homologous genes for such genes were also found in the genome of the shell-less octopus, as well as Nautilus, which has a true outer shell. Therefore, the draft genome sequence of Arg. argo presented here has helped us to gain further insights into the genetic background of the dynamic recruitment and dismissal of genes to form an important, converging extended phenotypic structure such as the shell and the shell-like eggcase. Additionally, it allows us to explore the evolution of from benthic to pelagic lifestyles in cephalopods and octopods.
A salutogenic urban design framework: the case of UK local high streets and older people
Authors: Brunelli Luca , Smith Harry , Woolrych Ryan
Published: October 2022

The article provides a novel look at the links between salutogenesis, health promotion, and urban design supported by the findings of recent research on local high streets and their benefits for the well-being of older people. Salutogenesis and the related explanatory concept of sense of coherence (SOC) have provided a theoretical framework for developing healthy settings interventions, shifting the focus from exploring barriers and deficits to assets and resources in promoting people’s health and well-being. While these concepts have informed policies and programmes at the level of regions and cities, no attempt has been made to establish more direct links with the disciplines devoted to the organization and design of the built environment at the scale of public spaces and streets. This article advances the idea that the main categories of SOC—comprehensibility, manageability and meaningfulness—have found application in urban design theory. Linking these categories with urban design concepts in a comprehensive framework, it is possible to guide interventions aimed at strenghtening well-being resources available in the public realm. This is corroborated by the findings resulting from a study of the well-being experiences of older people (n = 84) across a range of local high streets in the city of Edinburgh (UK) applying an innovative multi-methods approach. The discussion establishes the links between well-being benefits, SOC constructs and urban design concepts, and underscores the potential of the proposed framework to guide a design-oriented salutogenic approach to the built environment.
Cucumber glossy fruit 1 (CsGLF1) encodes the zinc finger protein 6 that regulates fruit glossiness by enhancing cuticular wax biosynthesis
Authors: Yang Yan , Cai Congxi , Wang Yipeng , Wang Yanran , Ju Haolun , Chen Xuehao
Published: October 2022

Cucumber glossiness is an important visual quality trait that affects consumer choice. Accumulating evidence suggests that glossy trait is associated with cuticular wax accumulation. However, the molecular genetic mechanism controlling cucumber glossiness remains largely unknown. Here, we report the map-based cloning and functional characterization of CsGLF1, a locus that determines the glossy trait in cucumber. CsGLF1 encodes a homolog of the Cys2His2-like fold group (C2H2) -type zinc finger protein 6 (ZFP6) and its deletion leads to glossier pericarp and decreased cuticular wax accumulation. Consistently, transcriptomic analysis demonstrated that a group of wax biosynthetic genes were downregulated when CsZFP6 was absent. Further, transient expression assay revealed that CsZFP6 acted as a transcription activator of cuticular wax biosynthetic genes. Taken together, our findings demonstrated a novel regulator of fruit glossiness, which will provide new insights into regulatory mechanism of fruit glossiness in cucumber.
Gapless genome assembly of azalea and multi-omics investigation into divergence between two species with distinct flower color
Authors: Nie Shuai , Zhao Shi-Wei , Shi Tian-Le , Zhao Wei , Zhang Ren-Gang , Tian Xue-Chan , Guo Jing-Fang , Yan Xue-Mei , Bao Yu-Tao , Li Zhi-Chao , Kong Lei , Ma Hai-Yao , Chen Zhao-Yang , Liu Hui , El-Kassaby Yousry A , Porth Ilga , Yang Fu-Sheng , Mao Jian-Feng
Published: October 2022

The genus Rhododendron (Ericaceae), with more than 1000 species highly diverse in flower color, is providing distinct ornamental values and a model system for flower color studies. Here, we investigated the divergence between two parental species with different flower color widely used for azalea breeding. Gapless genome assembly was generated for the yellow-flowered azalea, Rhododendron molle. Comparative genomics found recent proliferation of long terminal repeat retrotransposons (LTR-RTs), especially Gypsy, has resulted in a 125 Mb (19%) genome size increase in species-specific regions, and a significant amount of dispersed gene duplicates (13 402) and pseudogenes (17 437). Metabolomic assessment revealed that yellow flower coloration is attributed to the dynamic changes of carotenoids/flavonols biosynthesis and chlorophyll degradation. Time-ordered gene co-expression networks (TO-GCNs) and the comparison confirmed the metabolome and uncovered the specific gene regulatory changes underpinning the distinct flower pigmentation. B3 and ERF TFs were found dominating the gene regulation of carotenoids/flavonols characterized pigmentation in R. molle, while WRKY, ERF, WD40, C2H2, and NAC TFs collectively regulated the anthocyanins characterized pigmentation in the red-flowered R simsii. This study employed a multi-omics strategy in disentangling the complex divergence between two important azaleas and provided references for further functional genetics and molecular breeding.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase 14-mediated phosphorylation of MaMYB4 negatively regulates banana fruit ripening
Authors: Yang Yingying , Wu Chaojie , Shan Wei , Wei Wei , Zhao Yating , Kuang Jianfei , Chen Jianye , Jiang Yueming , Lu Wangjin
Published: October 2022

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK/MPK) cascades play crucial parts in plant growth, development processes, immune ability, and stress responses; however, the regulatory mechanism by which MAPK affects fruit ripening remains largely unexplored. Here, we reported that MaMPK14 cooperated with MaMYB4 to mediate postharvest banana fruit ripening. Transient overexpression of individual MaMPK14 and MaMYB4 in banana fruit delayed fruit ripening, confirming the negative roles in the ripening. The ripening negative regulator MaMYB4 could repress the transcription of genes associated with ethylene biosynthesis and fruit softening, such as MaACS1, MaXTH5, MaPG3, and MaEXPA15. Furthermore, MaMPK14 phosphorylated MaMYB4 at Ser160 via a direct interaction. Mutation at Ser160 of MaMYB4 reduced its interaction with MaMPK14 but did not affect its subcellular localization. Importantly, phosphorylation of MaMYB4 by MaMPK14 enhanced the MaMYB4-mediated transcriptional inhibition, binding strength, protein stability, and the repression of fruit ripening. Taken together, our results delineated the regulation pathway of MAPK module during banana fruit ripening, which involved the phosphorylation modification of MaMYB4 mediated by MaMPK14.
Political stability, trust and support for public policies: a survey experiment examining source effects for COVID-19 interventions in Australia and Hong Kong
Authors: Martin Aaron , Mikołajczak Gosia , Baekkeskov Erik , Hartley Kris
Published: October 2022

What is the relationship between political stability, trust, and source effects on support for public policies? In this article, we examine how source type (and the trust respondents have in different sources) impacts support for new policies and the degree to which this impact is moderated by political stability. This article reports the results of a survey experiment administered simultaneously in Australia and Hong Kong in late 2020 examining source effects on public attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination and testing policies. For each case, the analyses compare source effects between a lesser trusted source (government) and a more trusted source (medical scientists). The study also compares these effects between cases, contrasting an environment of continuing political stability (Australia) with one of decreasing political stability (Hong Kong). Australian respondents tended to have similar attitudes toward policies regardless of the source, while Hong Kong respondents looked significantly more favorably on policies put forward by medical scientists than those put forward by the government. The results show that source effects can be moderated by political context—a finding that holds implications for the design of comparative studies about public trust and political legitimacy in settings where policy development relies on scientific input.
Electing More Women to National Legislatures: An Interplay between Global Normative Pressure and Domestic Political Regimes
Authors: Hong Mi Hwa , Kim Nam Kyu
Published: October 2022

Existing studies show that democracies are no better than autocracies in terms of women's legislative representation. This finding seems counterintuitive because democracies are more politically inclusive and foster greater respect for civil and political rights, compared to autocracies. We revisit the relationship between democracy and women's legislative representation by considering the interaction between democracy and global norms of gender equality in politics. We argue that democracies are better able than autocracies to translate a global norm of gender-balanced political representation into actual domestic practices. Further, we contend that the effect of democracies also depends on the external normative pressure. Using a time-series cross-sectional dataset covering 147 countries from 1951 to 2013, our analysis shows that the more democratic a country is, the more responsive it is to global norms promoting gender equality in politics. It also demonstrates that the effect of democracy on women's representation strengthens, as global normative pressure for women's inclusion in politics grows.
Comparative effectiveness of antibiotic therapy for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) bloodstream infections in hospitalized US veterans
Authors: Wilson Geneva M , Fitzpatrick Margaret A , Suda Katie J , Smith Bridget M , Gonzalez Beverly , Jones Makoto , Schweizer Marin L , Evans Martin , Evans Charlesnika T
Published: October 2022

Background

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales bloodstream infections (CRE-BSI) increase mortality three-fold compared with carbapenem-susceptible bloodstream infections. Because these infections are rare, there is a paucity of information on mortality associated with different treatment regimens. This study examines treatment regimens and association with in-hospital, 30 day and 1 year mortality risk for patients with CRE-BSI.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study identified hospitalized patients within the Veteran Affairs (VA) from 2013 to 2018 with a positive CRE blood culture and started antibiotic treatment within 5 days of culture. Primary outcomes were in-hospital, 30 day and 1 year all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were healthcare costs at 30 days and 1 year and Clostridioides difficile infection 6 weeks post culture date. The propensity for receiving each treatment regimen was determined. Multivariable regression assessed the association between treatment and outcomes.

Results

There were 393 hospitalized patients from 2013 to 2018 included in the study. The cohort was male (97%) and elderly (mean age 71.0 years). Carbapenems were the most prescribed antibiotics (47%). In unadjusted analysis, ceftazidime/avibactam was associated with a lower likelihood of 30 day and 1 year mortality. After adjusting, ceftazidime/avibactam had a 30 day mortality OR of 0.42 (95% CI 0.17–1.02). No difference was found in C. difficile incidence at 6 weeks post-infection or total costs at 30 days or 1 year post culture date by any treatments.

Conclusions

In hospitalized veterans with CRE-BSI, none of the treatments were shown to be associated with all-cause mortality. Ceftazidime/avibactam trended towards protectiveness against 30 day and 1 year all-cause mortality. Use of ceftazidime/avibactam should be encouraged for treatment of CRE-BSI.
Antibiotic consumption in India: geographical variations and temporal changes between 2011 and 2019
Authors: Fazaludeen Koya Shaffi , Ganesh Senthil , Selvaraj Sakthivel , Wirtz Veronika J , Galea Sandro , Rockers Peter C
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To describe and compare private sector systemic (J01) antibiotic consumption across Indian states from 2011 to 2019.

Methods

We used the nationally representative PharmaTrac dataset to describe the consumption rates in DDD across national, state and state-group [high focus (HF) and non-high focus (nHF)] levels. We used median and IQRs to describe and compare across states and state groups, and relative change and compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to examine temporal changes.

Results

The annual consumption rate decreased by 3.6% between 2011 and 2019. The share of Access antibiotics decreased (13.1%) and the Access/Watch ratio declined from 0.59 to 0.49. State consumption rates varied widely (HF states reported lower rates) and the inappropriate use increased over the years, especially among HF states. The HF and nHF states showed convergence in the share of the Access and the Access/Watch ratio, while they showed divergence in the use of Discouraged fixed-dose combinations.

Conclusions and implications

India’s private-sector antibiotic consumption rate was lower than global rates. The rates varied across states and appropriateness of use decreased in most states over the years. States with an increase in appropriate use over time could serve as best practice examples. Studies to understand the factors affecting inappropriate use are required alongside improved data systems to monitor the public-sector provision of antibiotics to understand the total consumption.
An analysis of the effects of limited training data in distributed learning scenarios for brain age prediction
Authors: Souza Raissa , Mouches Pauline , Wilms Matthias , Tuladhar Anup , Langner Sönke , Forkert Nils D
Published: October 2022

Objective

Distributed learning avoids problems associated with central data collection by training models locally at each site. This can be achieved by federated learning (FL) aggregating multiple models that were trained in parallel or training a single model visiting sites sequentially, the traveling model (TM). While both approaches have been applied to medical imaging tasks, their performance in limited local data scenarios remains unknown. In this study, we specifically analyze FL and TM performances when very small sample sizes are available per site.

Materials and Methods

2025 T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans were used to investigate the effect of sample sizes on FL and TM for brain age prediction. We evaluated models across 18 scenarios varying the number of samples per site (1, 2, 5, 10, and 20) and the number of training rounds (20, 40, and 200).

Results

Our results demonstrate that the TM outperforms FL, for every sample size examined. In the extreme case when each site provided only one sample, FL achieved a mean absolute error (MAE) of 18.9 ± 0.13 years, while the TM achieved a MAE of 6.21 ± 0.50 years, comparable to central learning (MAE = 5.99 years).

Discussion

Although FL is more commonly used, our study demonstrates that TM is the best implementation for small sample sizes.

Conclusion

The TM offers new opportunities to apply machine learning models in rare diseases and pediatric research but also allows even small hospitals to contribute small datasets.
Metabolism of the Synthetic Cathinone Alpha-Pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone in Humans Using UHPLC--MS-QToF
Authors: Kemenes K , Hidvégi E , Szabó L , Kerner Á , Süvegh G
Published: October 2022

Alpha-pyrrolidinoisohexanophenone (α-PHiP/α-PiHP) is a synthetic drug structurally related to cathine, a natural psychoactive alkaloid, isolated from Khat plant. The α-PiHP is a structural isomer of α-PHP, and both α-PHP and α-PiHP could be considered an analog of α-PVP, a Schedule I drug under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances by the United Nations. This α-pyrrolidinophenone was first reported to European Monitoring of Drug and Drug Addiction by Slovenia in December 2016. In Hungary, it was initially reported in August 2016, and until 2021, it had been detected in seizures only twice and never been identified in biological samples. However, in 2021, its consumption became prevalent in Hungary. This study aims to investigate the α-PiHP metabolites by performing in vitro and in vivo metabolite identification studies of human liver microsome (pHLM), S9 fraction (pS9) and urine samples (from control and users), using liquid chromatography in conjunction with high-resolution mass spectrometry. Ten in vivo urinary metabolites of α-PiHP were tentatively identified and confirmed by in vitro metabolites detected in pHLM and pS9 samples. Among the eight Phase I and the two Phase II metabolites, five were more abundant in urine than the parent compound. The two major metabolites via reduction of the keto moiety (M01) and via oxidation of the pyrrolidine ring combined with aliphatic hydroxylation and keto reduction (M06) were identified. The metabolites via the combination of keto reduction and aliphatic hydroxylation (M04), via ring-opening followed by carboxylation (M09) and via glucuronidation of the keto reduced metabolite (M07) were also dominant. The minor metabolites were one Phase II metabolite (M08), two metabolites via aliphatic hydroxylation (M02 and M03), one metabolite via the combination of keto reduction and oxidation of the pyrrolidine ring (M05) and one metabolite via oxidation of the pyrrolidine ring (M10).
β-1,4-Galactan suppresses lipid synthesis in sebaceous gland cells via TLR4
Authors: Ayaki Satomi , Mii Tomohiro , Matsuno Kosuke , Tokuyama Takaaki , Tokuyama Takahito , Tokuyama Takashi , Uyama Toru , Ueda Natsuo
Published: October 2022

Sebum is a lipid mixture secreted from sebaceous glands of the skin. The excessive secretion of sebum causes acne vulgaris and seborrheic dermatitis, while its deficiency causes xerosis. Therefore, the appropriate control of sebum secretion is crucially important to keep the skin healthy. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of naturally occurring polysaccharides on lipid biosynthesis in hamster sebaceous gland cells. Among the tested polysaccharides, β-1,4-galactan, the main chain of type I arabinogalactan, most potently suppressed lipid synthesis in the sebaceous gland cells as analysed by oil red O staining. Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 inhibitors counteracted this suppressive effect and lipopolysaccharide, a TLR4 ligand, mimicked this effect, suggesting the involvement of the TLR4 signalling pathway. In the cells β-1,4-galactan significantly decreased mRNA levels of lipogenesis-related transcription factors (peroxisomeGraphical Abstract$\includegraphics{\bwartpath }$ proliferator-activated receptor γ and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1) and enzymes (acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase) as well as the glucose transporter GLUT4. Furthermore, β-1,4-galactan increased the production of lactic acid serving as a natural moisturizing factor and enhanced the proliferation of sebaceous gland cells. These results suggest potential of β-1,4-galactan as a material with therapeutic and cosmetic values for the skin.
Comparative study of a novel arithmetic amplitude-phase weighted beamforming method in vector and tensor CSAMT
Authors: Fan Haifeng , Zhang Yiming , Wang Xuhong
Published: October 2022

Vector controlled-source audio-frequency magnetotellurics (CSAMT) emits electromagnetic waves with a low directivity coefficient using a grounded horizontal electric dipole (HED). During observations in the far-field region (FfR), only a fraction of radiation energy is used. To improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in the FfR, it is necessary to increase the power of the transmitter or shorten the transceiver distance, but it will restrict the development of vector CSAMT. Comparatively, the tensor CSAMT uses HEDs in two directions to measure geological bodies in every direction. If the geological conditions of two HEDs are vastly different, it is easy to cause issues, such as an imbalance of the SNR in two directions of the receiving point. This paper presents a comparative study of a novel arithmetic amplitude-phase (AAP) weighted beamforming method (BFM) in vector and tensor CSAMT, which uses multiple HEDs to transmit signals with controlled amplitude ratio and phase difference to modulate the wavefront, thereby achieving beam steering and other additional functions (such as amplitude compensation). By concentrating the radiation energy in the area of interest (AoI) using BFM, the SNR can be largely regulated. The comparative simulation and analysis demonstrate that the BFM has advantages in improving energy utilization and beam steering in vector and tensor CSAMT. On the premise of same power and transceiver distance, using the AAP-weighted BFM, the SNR received in the AoI can meet the requirements better than that received via the traditional method.
Conceptualizing Conflict-Related Child and Early Marriage as Insecurity: At the Intersection of Gender and Age
Authors: Lee-Koo Katrina , Gordon Eleanor
Published: October 2022

Child, early, and forced marriage (CEFM) remains prevalent worldwide. Rates are especially high in areas affected by crisis and conflict. CEFM predominately impacts girls, who are married to adult men; it increases their vulnerability to other threats, including physical, economic, and health insecurities, and curtails access to education. Moreover, because of these resultant threats, CEFM entrenches gender inequality and compromises the extent to which girls engage in community-based crisis response and recovery, thereby undermining efforts to build inclusive, meaningful, and sustainable peace and security. In spite of this, there is little consideration of CEFM in security theorizing or practice. This article explores the security-related causes and effects of CEFM on adolescent girls in conflict-affected contexts by drawing from research conducted in four crisis contexts: Lake Chad (Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon), South Sudan and Uganda, Lebanon (Beirut), and Bangladesh (Cox's Bazar). The article argues that, using an age-responsive critical feminist security framework, clear links can be made between gender inequality, CEFM in adolescent girls, and security.
Trees in silvopastoral systems reduce legume proportion with no consequence for internal N resorption efficiency
Authors: Schmiedgen Andrea , Komainda Martin , Kayser Manfred , Tonn Bettina , Isselstein Johannes
Published: October 2022

In legume-based grasslands, legumes supply the sward with nitrogen (N) from biological N2-fixation. Previous studies in silvopastoral systems have emphasized that legume proportions decline near trees which would cause spatial variation in the N supply and the concentration of N in the harvested herbage of grass swards between trees. In natural ecosystems, it was shown that the N resorption efficiency (NRE) was increased by nutrient limitation, hence, near trees where legumes are scarce. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that the NRE is increased near trees and compensates for the loss of legumes with respect to N concentration in live herbage. Two vegetation compositions consisting of legume-based grass swards were analysed across positions between tree lines in an alley cropping system established 5 years prior to this study. Legume proportion declined up to 45% towards the tree line, and also N concentration in live and dead herbage but on average only declined by 15%. As a consequence of a reduced N concentration and also herbage mass close to trees, the N yield decreased by up to 50%. Despite the loss of legumes near trees, the NRE was unaffected by the tree line irrespective of vegetation composition. Further, the results indicate that internal N cycling of managed grass swards in silvopastoral grassland with short defoliation intervals between harvests is of lesser relevance than in unmanaged ecosystems. Legume proportions control the N concentrations of live and dead herbage irrespective of tree shading in silvopastoral systems.
The Dark Energy Survey Supernova Program results: type Ia supernova brightness correlates with host galaxy dust
Authors: Meldorf C , Palmese A , Brout D , Chen R , Scolnic D , Kelsey L , Galbany L , Hartley W G , Davis T M , Drlica-Wagner A , Vincenzi M , Annis J , Dixon M , Graur O , Lidman C , Möller A , Nugent P , Rose B , Smith M , Allam S , Tucker D L , Asorey J , Calcino J , Carollo D , Glazebrook K , Lewis G F , Taylor G , Tucker B E , Kim A G , Diehl H T , Aguena M , Andrade-Oliveira F , Bacon D , Bertin E , Bocquet S , Brooks D , Burke D L , Carretero J , Carrasco Kind M , Castander F J , Costanzi M , da Costa L N , Desai S , Doel P , Everett S , Ferrero I , Friedel D , Frieman J , García-Bellido J , Gatti M , Gruen D , Gschwend J , Gutierrez G , Hinton S R , Hollowood D L , Honscheid K , James D J , Kuehn K , March M , Marshall J L , Menanteau F , Miquel R , Morgan R , Paz-Chinchón F , Pereira M E S , Plazas Malagón A A , Sanchez E , Scarpine V , Sevilla-Noarbe I , Suchyta E , Tarle G , Varga T N ,   DES Collaboration
Published: October 2022

Cosmological analyses with type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) often assume a single empirical relation between colour and luminosity (β) and do not account for varying host-galaxy dust properties. However, from studies of dust in large samples of galaxies, it is known that dust attenuation can vary significantly. Here, we take advantage of state-of-the-art modelling of galaxy properties to characterize dust parameters (dust attenuation AV, and a parameter describing the dust law slope RV) for 1100 Dark Energy Survey (DES) SN host galaxies. Utilizing optical and infrared data of the hosts alone, we find three key aspects of host dust that impact SN cosmology: (1) there exists a large range (∼1–6) of host RV; (2) high-stellar mass hosts have RV on average ∼0.7 lower than that of low-mass hosts; (3) for a subsample of 81 spectroscopically classified SNe there is a significant (>3σ) correlation between the Hubble diagram residuals of red SNe Ia and the host RV that when corrected for reduces scatter by $\sim 13{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ and the significance of the ‘mass step’ to ∼1σ. These represent independent confirmations of recent predictions based on dust that attempted to explain the puzzling ‘mass step’ and intrinsic scatter (σint) in SN Ia analyses.
GRB 180325A: dust grain-size distribution and interstellar iron nanoparticles contribution
Authors: Cappellazzo Elizabeth , Zafar Tayyaba , Corcho-Caballero Pablo , Kann David Alexander , López-Sánchez Ángel , Ahmad Adeel
Published: October 2022

We modelled dust grain-size distributions for carbonaceous and silicates dust, as well as for free-flying iron nanoparticles in the environment of a γ-ray burst (GRB) afterglow, GRB 180325A. This GRB, at a redshift ($z$) of 2.2486, has an unambiguous detection of the 2175 Å extinction feature with RV = 4.58 and AV = 1.58 mag. In addition to silicates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and graphite, we used iron nanoparticles grain-size distributions for the first time to model the observed extinction curve of GRB 180325A. We fit the observed extinction for four model permutations, using 232 sets of silicates, graphite, carbon abundance in hydrocarbon molecules (bC), and fraction of iron abundance in free-flying nanoparticles (YFe). These four different permutations were chosen to test iron nanoparticles significance and carbon abundance in hydrocarbons. Our results indicate that iron nanoparticles contribution is insignificant and there is a degeneracy of carbon abundances, with the range (0.0 ≤ bC ≤ 0.7) × 10−5 providing the best-fit to the observed extinction curve of GRB 180325A. We therefore favour the simplest model of silicates and PAHs. The silicates are dominant and contribute to the entire wavelength range of the GRB extinction curve while graphite contributes towards both the 2175 Å bump and the ultraviolet (UV) extinction. The afterglow peak luminosity (1.5 × 1051 erg s−1) indicates dust destruction may have taken place. We conclude that further investigations into other potential contributors of extinction are warranted, particularly for steep UV extinction.
Orbital dynamics and histories of satellite galaxies around Milky Way – mass galaxies in the FIRE simulations
Authors: Santistevan Isaiah B , Wetzel Andrew , Tollerud Erik , Sanderson Robyn E , Samuel Jenna
Published: October 2022

The orbits of satellite galaxies encode rich information about their histories. We investigate the orbital dynamics and histories of satellite galaxies around Milky Way (MW)-mass host galaxies using the FIRE-2 cosmological simulations, which, as previous works have shown, produce satellite mass functions and spatial distributions that broadly agree with observations. We first examine trends in orbital dynamics at z = 0, including total velocity, specific angular momentum, and specific total energy: the time of infall into the MW-mass halo primarily determines these orbital properties. We then examine orbital histories, focusing on the lookback time of first infall into a host halo and pericentre distances, times, and counts. Roughly 37 per cent of galaxies with $M_{\rm star}\lesssim 10^7\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$ were ‘pre-processed’ as a satellite in a lower-mass group, typically $\approx 2.7\, {\rm Gyr}$ before falling into the MW-mass halo. Half of all satellites at z = 0 experienced multiple pericentres about their MW-mass host. Remarkably, for most (67 per cent) of these satellites, their most recent pericentre was not their minimum pericentre: the minimum typically was ∼40 per cent smaller and occurred $\sim 6\, {\rm Gyr}$ earlier. These satellites with growing pericentres appear to have multiple origins: for about half, their specific angular momentum gradually increased over time, while for the other half, most rapidly increased near their first apocentre, suggesting that a combination of a time-dependent MW-mass halo potential and dynamical perturbations in the outer halo caused these satellites’ pericentres to grow. Our results highlight the limitations of idealized, static orbit modelling, especially for pericentre histories.