bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early mortality critically impedes improvements in thyroid cancer survival through a half century
Authors: Tichanek Filip , Försti Asta , Liska Vaclv , Hemminki Otto , Koskinen Anni , Hemminki Akseli , Hemminki Kari
Published: September 2023

Objectives

We analyze survival in thyroid cancer from Denmark (DK), Finland (FI), Norway (NO), and Sweden (SE) over a 50-year period (1971-2020), and additionally consider concomitant changes in incidence and mortality.

Design

Population-based survival study.

Methods

Relative 1-, 5/1 (conditional)-, and 5-year survival data were obtained from the NORDCAN database for years 1971-2020. Incidence and mortality rates were also assessed.

Results

A novel consistent observation was that 1-year survival was worse than 5/1-year survival but the difference between these decreased with time. Relative 1-year survival in thyroid cancer (mean for the 4 countries) reached 92.7% for men and 95.6% for women; 5-year survival reached 88.0% for men and 93.7% for women. Survival increased most for DK which started at a low level and reached the best survival at the end. Male and female incidence rates for thyroid cancer increased 3- and 4-fold, respectively. In the same time, mortality halved for men and for women, it decreased by 2/3.

Conclusions

We documented worse relative survival in the first year than in the 4 subsequent years, most likely because of rare anaplastic cancer. Overall survival in thyroid cancer patients increased in the Nordic countries in the course of 50 years; 5-year survival was close to 90% for men and close to 95% for women. Even though overdiagnosis may explain some of 5-year survival increase, it is unlikely to influence the substantial increase in 1-year survival. The unmet need is to increase 1-year survival by diagnosing and treating aggressive tumors before metastatic spread.
Comparison of conservation instruments under long-run yield uncertainty and farmer risk aversion
Authors: Ma Meilin , Reeling Carson , Hughes Megan N , Armstrong Shalamar , Roth Richard
Published: September 2023

Consumers and policymakers are increasingly concerned with environmental sustainability in food production. Yet rates of adoption of many conservation practices vary and are generally low. Existing instruments for practice adoption increase farmers’ expected net benefits from sustainable practices but do not manage associated risks which may be critical to risk-averse farmers. We build a model to characterize practice adoption by risk-averse farmers given practice-driven, long-run yield dynamics under various instruments, including price premiums, lump-sum subsidies and green insurance. We find rich scale and compositional effects that differ across instruments and that green insurance is significantly more cost-effective under plausible conditions.
Demographic reconstruction of the Western sheep expansion from whole-genome sequences
Authors: Morell Miranda Pedro , Soares André E R , Günther Torsten
Published: September 2023

As one of the earliest livestock, sheep (Ovis aries) were domesticated in the Fertile Crescent about 12,000–10,000 years ago and have a nearly worldwide distribution today. Most of our knowledge about the timing of their expansions stems from archaeological data but it is unclear how the genetic diversity of modern sheep fits with these dates. We used whole-genome sequencing data of 63 domestic breeds and their wild relatives, the Asiatic mouflon (O. gmelini, previously known as O. orientalis), to explore the demographic history of sheep. On the global scale, our analysis revealed geographic structuring among breeds with unidirectional recent gene flow from domestics into Asiatic mouflons. We then selected 4 representative breeds from Spain, Morocco, the United Kingdom, and Iran to build a comprehensive demographic model of the Western sheep expansion. We inferred a single domestication event around 11,000 years ago. The subsequent westward expansion is dated to approximately 7,000 years ago, later than the original Neolithic expansion of sheep and slightly predating the Secondary Product Revolution associated with wooly sheep. We see some signals of recent gene flow from an ancestral population into Southern European breeds which could reflect admixture with feral European mouflon. Furthermore, our results indicate that many breeds experienced a reduction of their effective population size during the last centuries, probably associated with modern breed development. Our study provides insights into the complex demographic history of Western Eurasian sheep, highlighting interactions between breeds and their wild counterparts.
A scoping review of food and nutrition literacy programs
Authors: Cabezas María-Francisca , Nazar Gabriela
Published: September 2023

The impact of food literacy (FL) and nutrition literacy (NL) programs on lifestyles and health is recognized in the literature, yet few studies systematize it. This study aims to deepen the understanding of FL/NL from the characterization of programs in terms of (i) theoretical foundations, conceptualization and measuring instruments; (ii) characterization of the FL/NL programs and results and (iii) limitations and future directions declared. A scoping review of original articles addressing FL/NL programs from the Web of Science, Scopus and PubMed databases published between 2015 and 2023. There was a somewhat restricted view of the construct and the absence of a clear boundary between FL and NL. Half of the studies reported theoretical foundations. The most used model was Social Cognitive Learning Theory. More significant development of programs was observed in Australia, using quasi-experimental designs. Most of the studies informed positive results. Limitations of the studies related to the sampling process, absence of a control group and lack of follow-up. It is suggested that long-term interventions consider economic, social and cultural factors. Despite that theoretical and empirical aspects should be revised, FL/NL programs are a suitable strategy to mitigate the social and health effects of inadequate nutrition.
Neural-specific alterations in glycosphingolipid biosynthesis and cell signaling associated with two human ganglioside GM3 synthase deficiency variants
Authors: Dookwah Michelle , Wagner Shannon K , Ishihara Mayumi , Yu Seok-Ho , Ulrichs Heidi , Kulik Michael J , Zeltner Nadja , Dalton Stephen , Strauss Kevin A , Aoki Kazuhiro , Steet Richard , Tiemeyer Michael
Published: September 2023

GM3 Synthase Deficiency (GM3SD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from pathogenic variants in the ST3GAL5 gene, which encodes GM3 synthase, a glycosphingolipid (GSL)-specific sialyltransferase. This enzyme adds a sialic acid to the terminal galactose of lactosylceramide (LacCer) to produce the monosialylated ganglioside GM3. In turn, GM3 is extended by other glycosyltransferases to generate nearly all the complex gangliosides enriched in neural tissue. Pathogenic mechanisms underlying the neural phenotypes associated with GM3SD are unknown. To explore how loss of GM3 impacts neural-specific glycolipid glycosylation and cell signaling, GM3SD patient fibroblasts bearing one of two different ST3GAL5 variants were reprogrammed to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and then differentiated to neural crest cells (NCCs). GM3 and GM3-derived gangliosides were undetectable in cells carrying either variant, while LacCer precursor levels were elevated compared to wildtype (WT). NCCs of both variants synthesized elevated levels of neutral lacto- and globo-series, as well as minor alternatively sialylated GSLs compared to WT. Ceramide profiles were also shifted in GM3SD variant cells. Altered GSL profiles in GM3SD cells were accompanied by dynamic changes in the cell surface proteome, protein O-GlcNAcylation, and receptor tyrosine kinase abundance. GM3SD cells also exhibited increased apoptosis and sensitivity to erlotinib-induced inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. Pharmacologic inhibition of O-GlcNAcase rescued baseline and erlotinib-induced apoptosis. Collectively, these findings indicate aberrant cell signaling during differentiation of GM3SD iPSCs and also underscore the challenge of distinguishing between variant effect and genetic background effect on specific phenotypic consequences.
Analysis of the alleviating effect of modified Huangqi Chifeng decoction on rats with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis based on gut microbiota and fecal metabolomics
Authors: Shi Xiujie , Zhang Yifan , Shi Yue , Zhang Qi , Duan Hangyu , Liu Jing , Yang Bin , Zhang Yu
Published: September 2023

Aims

To investigate the reno-protective effects of modified Huangqi Chifeng decoction (MHCD) on focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) rats, and the underlying mechanisms of systemic regulation of gut microbiota and metabolite profiles.

Methods and results

A rat FSGS model was established via unilateral nephrectomy plus doxorubicin injections. Rats were divided into sham, FSGS, and MHCD groups from which urine, blood, and histological tests were conducted. Fecal microbiotas were identified via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Fecal metabolomics allowed for metabolic pathways analysis. Biochemical indices and pathological examination revealed that MHCD treatment improved the symptoms of FSGS, and corrected dysbiosis of gut microbiota, enriched the abundance of Bifidobacterium, Odoribacter, Christensella, Oscillospira, and reduced that of harmful bacteria such as Collinsella and Coprobacterilus at the genus level. Fecal metabolomic profiles revealed 152 different metabolites between the FSGS and sham groups, which are mainly enriched in signaling pathways like arachidonic acid, serotonergic synapse, and oxytocin. Besides, 93 differential metabolites between MHCD and FSGS groups were identified, which are mainly enriched in signaling pathways like steroid hormone biosynthesis, prostate cancer, and linoleic acid metabolism. Spearman's correlation analysis showed a correlation between differential fecal metabolites and enriched gut microbiota or serum biochemical parameters.

Conclusions

MHCD may exert a reno-protective effect by regulating the gut microbiome and metabolite profiles in FSGS rats.
Flow parameter setting methods in numerical simulation of the unconventional reservoir and its impact on production
Authors: Li Bince , Lai Fengpeng , Ren Guanglei , Sun Huachao
Published: September 2023

Tight reservoirs have poor physical properties and complex pore structures, and well production is often affected by the starting threshold gradient, stress sensitivity, and water blockage. In this paper, the numerical simulation method is used to make these three factors equal. In addition, normalized influence coefficient analysis and grey relation analysis are used to investigate the degree of influence of each factor on well production. In this study, three methods are developed to set the threshold pressure gradient according to the permeability zoning, and the effect of reservoir heterogeneity is considered to set the threshold pressure gradient for unconventional reservoirs. The equivalent accuracy of the numerical simulation of the threshold pressure gradient can be improved compared to the traditional method. Stress sensitivity and water blockage effects are equated by correcting for rock compressibility coefficient and gas relative permeability. The fit rate of the gas well production history is improved by 2–3% after considering complex factors. The inclusion of the complex factors reduces the reservoir energy mobilization. The threshold pressure gradient results in an additional pressure reduction of about 1.8 MPa around the gas well. Residual gas identification and development is helped by clarifying the effect of complex factors on formation pressure When only the effect of a single factor is considered, water blockage has the most significant effect on gas well production, followed by threshold pressure and the weakest stress sensitivity. When several factors are considered together, the effect of stress sensitivity is increased.
Failure analysis of overlying strata in fault fracture zone during coal mining
Authors: Wang Feng , Chen Tong , Chen Zetao , Chen Shaojie , Ding Xiyang , Liu Zunxin
Published: September 2023

Faults encountered during coal mining can compromise the continuity and integrity of the overburden, resulting in considerable differences in the stress, displacement, and failure fields of the rocks surrounding the fault zone. When a working face is located adjacent to a fault, the fault-disturbed overburden becomes activated and unstable along the fault plane, which could lead to mining disasters. The fault-adjacent overburden morphology during mining was analyzed using a physical model. A mechanical model of the stability of the fault-disturbed overburden was constructed. The criteria for determining the sliding failure of the overburden during mining were defined, from which the critical coal pillar width required to maintain the overburden stability was determined. The results indicate that an inverted trapezoidal block forms in the overburden due to the combined effects of mining and faulting. The morphology of this block is influenced by the coal pillar width, the height of the fractured zone, and the dip angles of fault and coal seam. The block is prone to sliding or rotational failure along the fault plane during mining. As the coal seam and fault dip angles increase, the critical coal pillar width for maintaining overburden stability decreases. Conversely, increasing coal seam thickness increases the critical coal pillar width. The critical width of coal pillar was determined to be 176 m, which was verified through field observations performed in the #3307 working face.
Transnational economic activism and private regulatory power
Authors: Delimatsis Panagiotis
Published: September 2023

Private bodies involved in global regulatory governance shape and monitor economic behaviour. Their regulatory power has greatly increased over the last several decades. Thanks to an impressive apparatus of standard-setting, they have transformed economic activity. The dominance of private bodies in standard-setting has continued despite crises to which they themselves have contributed. Existing literature suggests that the State ‘orchestrates’ private regulatory activity, thereby retaining a high level of control. Yet, this article shows that the opposite has occurred: crises, broadly defined as disruptive events, make private bodies more resilient or generate new transnational ones. The lack of State control has ushered in a new era of private authority. Private bodies use crises as opportunities to reorganize and become more assertive in norm-creation, overriding and substituting State powers. Free from organizational hierarchies, formal accountability structures, scrutiny, pressure, and obligations, private bodies expand their regulatory domain, enhance their collective memory and identity, and grow stronger through crises. Future empirical work on the interaction between public regulatory and supervisory authorities and private rule-makers can make a difference in ensuring that private rule-making serves the public interest.
Derandomised knockoffs: leveraging e-values for false discovery rate control
Authors: Ren Zhimei , Barber Rina Foygel
Published: September 2023

Model-X knockoffs is a flexible wrapper method for high-dimensional regression algorithms, which provides guaranteed control of the false discovery rate (FDR). Due to the randomness inherent to the method, different runs of model-X knockoffs on the same dataset often result in different sets of selected variables, which is undesirable in practice. In this article, we introduce a methodology for derandomising model-X knockoffs with provable FDR control. The key insight of our proposed method lies in the discovery that the knockoffs procedure is in essence an e-BH procedure. We make use of this connection and derandomise model-X knockoffs by aggregating the e-values resulting from multiple knockoff realisations. We prove that the derandomised procedure controls the FDR at the desired level, without any additional conditions (in contrast, previously proposed methods for derandomisation are not able to guarantee FDR control). The proposed method is evaluated with numerical experiments, where we find that the derandomised procedure achieves comparable power and dramatically decreased selection variability when compared with model-X knockoffs.
Causal analysis at extreme quantiles with application to London traffic flow data
Authors: Bhuyan Prajamitra , Jana Kaushik , McCoy Emma J
Published: September 2023

Transport engineers employ various interventions to enhance traffic-network performance. Quantifying the impacts of Cycle Superhighways is complicated due to the non-random assignment of such an intervention over the transport network. Treatment effects on asymmetric and heavy-tailed distributions are better reflected at extreme tails rather than at the median. We propose a novel method to estimate the treatment effect at extreme tails incorporating heavy-tailed features in the outcome distribution. The analysis of London transport data using the proposed method indicates that the extreme traffic flow increased substantially after Cycle Superhighways came into operation.
Role of Candida in the bioremediation of pollutants: a review
Authors: Rana Samriti , Handa Shristi , Aggarwal Yadu , Puri Sanjeev , Chatterjee Mary
Published: September 2023

The population and modernization of society have increased dramatically from past few decades. In order to meet societal expectations, there has been a massive industrialization and resource exploitation. Anthropogenic practices like disposal of hazardous waste, large carbon footprint release variety of xenobiotic substances into the environment, which endanger the health of the natural ecosystem. Therefore, discovering proper long-term treatment approaches is a global concern. Various physical and chemical approaches are employed to remove contaminants. However, these technologies possess limitations like high cost and low efficacy. Consequently, bioremediation is regarded as one of the most promising remedies to these problems. It creates the option of either totally removing pollutants or transforming them into nonhazardous compounds with the use of natural biological agents. Several microorganisms are being utilized for bioremediation among which yeasts possess benefits such as high biodegradability, ease of cultivation etc. The yeast of Candida genus has the capability to effectively eliminate heavy metal ions, as well as to degrade and emulsify hydrocarbons which makes it a promising candidate for this purpose. The review highlights many potential uses of Candida in various remediation strategies and discusses future directions for research in this field.
Transition Needs Among Veterans Living With Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review
Authors: Patel Mansi , Jomy Jane , Couban Rachel J , Scelleur Hélène Le , Busse Jason W
Published: September 2023

Introduction

A third of Canadian Armed Forces veterans report difficulty adjusting to post-military life. Moreover, an estimated 40% of Canadian veterans live with chronic pain, which is likely associated with greater needs during the transition from military to civilian life. This review explores challenges and transition needs among military personnel living with chronic pain as they return to civilian life.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science from inception to July 2022, for qualitative, observational, and mixed-method studies exploring transition needs among military veterans released with chronic pain. Reviewers, working independently and in duplicate, conducted screening and used a standardized and pilot-tested data collection form to extract data from all included studies. Content analysis was used to create a coding template to identify patterns in challenges and unmet needs of veterans transitioning to civilian life, and we summarized our findings in a descriptive manner.

Results

Of 10,532 unique citations, we identified 43 studies that reported transition challenges and needs of military personnel; however, none were specific to individuals released with chronic pain. Most studies (41 of 43; 95%) focused on military personnel in general, with one study enrolling individuals with traumatic brain injury and another including homeless veterans. We identified military-to-civilian challenges in seven areas: (1) identity, (2) interpersonal interactions/relationships, (3) employment, (4) education, (5) finances, (6) self-care and mental health, and (7) accessing services and care.

Conclusions

Military personnel who transition to civilian life report several important challenges; however, the generalizability to individuals released with chronic pain is uncertain. Further research is needed to better understand the transition experiences of veterans with chronic pain to best address their needs and enhance their well-being.
Evolution of double oxygen–neon white dwarf merger remnant
Authors: Wu Chengyuan , Xiong Heran , Han Zhanwen , Wang Bo
Published: September 2023

Double white dwarf (WD) merger process and their post-merger evolution are important in many fields of astronomy, such as supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, gravitational waves, and so on. The evolutionary outcomes of double ultra-massive WD merger remnants are still a subject of debate, though the general consensus is that the merger remnant will collapse to form a neutron star (NS). In this work, we investigate the evolution of a $2.20\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$ merger remnant stemmed from the coalescence of double $1.10\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$ ONe WDs. We find that the remnant ignites off-centre neon burning at the position near the surface of primary WD soon after the merger, resulting in the stable inwardly propagating oxygen/neon (O/Ne) flame. The final outcomes of the merger remnant are sensitive to the effect of convective boundary mixing. If the mixing cannot stall the O/Ne flame, the flame will reach the centre within 20 yr, leading to the formation of super Chandrasekhar mass silicon core, and its final fate probably be NS through iron-core-collapse supernova. In contrast, if the convective mixing is effective enough to prevent the O/Ne flame from reaching the centre, the merger remnant will undergo electron capture supernova to form an ONeFe WD. Meanwhile, we find that the wind mass loss process may hardly alter the final fate of the remnant due to its fast evolution. Our results imply that the coalescence of double ONe WDs can form short lived giant like object, but the final outcomes (NS or ONeFe WD) are influenced by the uncertain convective mixing in O/Ne flame.
Constraining the X-ray heating and reionization using 21-cm power spectra with Marginal Neural Ratio Estimation
Authors: Saxena Anchal , Cole Alex , Gazagnes Simon , Meerburg P Daniel , Weniger Christoph , Witte Samuel J
Published: September 2023

Cosmic Dawn (CD) and Epoch of Reionization (EoR) are epochs of the Universe which host invaluable information about the cosmology and astrophysics of X-ray heating and hydrogen reionization. Radio interferometric observations of the 21-cm line at high redshifts have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of the Universe during this time. However, modelling the evolution of these epochs is particularly challenging due to the complex interplay of many physical processes. This makes it difficult to perform the conventional statistical analysis using the likelihood-based Markov-Chain Monte Carlo (mcmc) methods, which scales poorly with the dimensionality of the parameter space. In this paper, we show how the Simulation-Based Inference through Marginal Neural Ratio Estimation (mnre) provides a step towards evading these issues. We use 21cmFAST to model the 21-cm power spectrum during CD–EoR with a six-dimensional parameter space. With the expected thermal noise from the Square Kilometre Array, we are able to accurately recover the posterior distribution for the parameters of our model at a significantly lower computational cost than the conventional likelihood-based methods. We further show how the same training data set can be utilized to investigate the sensitivity of the model parameters over different redshifts. Our results support that such efficient and scalable inference techniques enable us to significantly extend the modelling complexity beyond what is currently achievable with conventional mcmc methods.
Linear and non-linear eccentric mode evolution in unstratified MHD discs
Authors: Lynch Elliot M , Dewberry Janosz W
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we develop a framework for studying unstratified, magnetized eccentric discs and compute uniformly precessing eccentric modes in a cylindrical annulus which provide convenient initial conditions for numerical simulations. The presence of a magnetic field in an eccentric disc can be described by an effective gas with a modified equation of state. At magnetic field strengths relevant to the magneto-rotational instability the magnetic field has negligible influence on the evolution of the eccentric disc, however, the eccentric disc can significantly enhance the magnetic field strength over that in the a circular disc. We verify the suitability of these eccentric disc solutions by carrying out 2D simulations in ramses. Our simulated modes (in 2D) follow a similar evolution to the purely hydrodynamical modes, matching theoretical expectations, provided they are adequately resolved. Such solutions will provide equilibrium states for studies of the eccentric magneto-rotational instability and magnetized parametric instability in unstratified discs and are useful for exploring the response of disc turbulence on top of a fluid flow varying on the orbital time-scale.
DUVET survey: mapping outflows in the metal-poor starburst Mrk 1486
Authors: McPherson Daniel K , Fisher Deanne B , Nielsen Nikole M , Kacprzak Glenn G , Chu Bronwyn Reichardt , Cameron Alex J , Bolatto Alberto D , Chisholm John , Fielding Drummond B , Berg Danielle , Herrera-Camus Rodrigo , Li Miao , Vaught Ryan J Rickards , Sandstrom Karin
Published: September 2023

We present a method to characterize star-formation driven outflows from edge-on galaxies and apply this method to the metal-poor starburst galaxy, Mrk 1486. Our method uses the distribution of emission line flux (from H β and [O iii] 5007) to identify the location of the outflow and measure the extent above the disc, the opening angle, and the transverse kinematics. We show that this simple technique recovers a similar distribution of the outflow without requiring complex modelling of line-splitting or multi-Gaussian components, and is therefore applicable to lower spectral resolution data. In Mrk 1486 we observe an asymmetric outflow in both the location of the peak flux and total flux from each lobe. We estimate an opening angle of 17–37° depending on the method and assumptions adopted. Within the minor axis outflows, we estimate a total mass outflow rate of ∼2.5 M⊙ yr−1, which corresponds to a mass loading factor of η = 0.7. We observe a non-negligible amount of flux from ionized gas outflowing along the edge of the disc (perpendicular to the biconical components), with a mass outflow rate ∼0.9 M⊙ yr−1. Our results are intended to demonstrate a method that can be applied to high-throughput low spectral resolution observations, such as narrow-band filters or low spectral resolution integral field spectrographs that may be more able to recover the faint emission from outflows.
Two large-scale sloshing cold fronts in the outskirts of the galaxy cluster Abell 3558
Authors: Mirakhor M S , Walker S A , Sundquist M , Chandra D
Published: September 2023

Previous studies of the massive nearby galaxy cluster Abell 3558 reported a cold front around the cluster core, which is attributed to the sloshing of the core as it responds to the gravitational disturbance created by a past minor merger. Here, using XMM–Newton mosaic, we report the detection of two rare large-scale sloshing cold fronts far outside the cooling radius of Abell 3558. One of the detected cold fronts is located 600 kpc from the cluster core to the south-east, while the other is located 1.2 Mpc from the cluster core to the north-west. The latter cold front is one of the most distant cold fronts ever observed in a galaxy cluster. Our findings are in agreement with previous studies that sloshing can extend well beyond the cooling radius, on scales exceeding half the virial radius, suggesting that sloshing is a cluster-wide phenomenon and may affect the cluster’s global properties.
Protection of COVID-19 Vaccination Against Hospitalization During the Era of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 Predominance: A Nationwide Case–Control Study Based on the French National Health Data System
Authors: Semenzato Laura , Botton Jérémie , Le Vu Stéphane , Jabagi Marie-Joëlle , Cuenot François , Drouin Jérôme , Dray-Spira Rosemary , Weill Alain , Zureik Mahmoud
Published: September 2023

Background

Knowing the duration of effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) booster doses is essential to providing decision-makers with scientific arguments about the frequency of subsequent injections. We estimated the level of protection against COVID-19-related hospitalizations (Omicron BA.4-BA.5) over time after vaccination, accounting for breakthrough infections.

Methods

In this nationwide case–control study, all cases of hospitalizations for COVID-19 identified in the comprehensive French National Health Data System between June 1, 2022, and October 15, 2022, were matched with up to 10 controls by year of birth, sex, department, and an individual COVID-19 hospitalization risk score. Conditional logistic regressions were used to estimate the level of protection against COVID-19-related hospitalizations conferred by primary and booster vaccination, accounting for history of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Results

A total of 38 839 cases were matched to 377 653 controls; 19.2% and 9.9% were unvaccinated, respectively, while 68.2% and 77.7% had received ≥1 booster dose. Protection provided by primary vaccination reached 45% (95% CI, 42%–47%). The incremental effectiveness of booster doses ranged from 69% (95% CI, 67%–71%; ≤2 months) to 22% (95% CI, 19%–25%; ≥6 months). Specifically, the second booster provided an additional protection compared with the first ranging from 61% (95% CI, 59%–64%; ≤2 months) to 7% (95% CI, 2%–13%; ≥4 months). Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection conferred a strong, long-lasting protection (51% ≥20 months). There was no incremental effectiveness of a second booster among individuals infected since the first booster.

Conclusions

In the era of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 predominance, primary vaccination still conferred protection against COVID-19 hospitalization, while booster doses provided an additional time-limited protection. The second booster had no additional protection in case of infection since the first booster.
Effect on the Resistome of Dual vs Monotherapy for the Treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial (ResistAZM Trial)
Authors: Vanbaelen Thibaut , Florence Eric , Van Dijck Christophe , Tsoumanis Achilleas , Laumen Jolein Gyonne Elise , Santhini Manoharan-Basil Sheena , Abdellati Saïd , De Block Tessa , De Baetselier Irith , Van den Bossche Dorien , Van Herrewege Yven , Rotsaert Anke , Kenyon Chris
Published: September 2023

Background

No randomized controlled trial (RCT) has compared the impact on the resistome of ceftriaxone (CRO) plus azithromycin (AZM) vs CRO for the treatment of Neisseria gonorrhoea (NG).

Methods

This was an open-label, single-center, RCT comparing the effect on the resistome of CRO plus AZM vs CRO for the treatment of NG. Men who have sex with men (MSM) with genital, anorectal, or pharyngeal NG infection were randomized into the CRO/AZM and CRO arms. Oral rinse and anorectal samples were taken for culture and resistome profiling at 2 visits (baseline and day 14). The primary outcome was the ratio of mean macrolide resistance determinants in anorectal samples from day 14 between arms.

Results

Twenty individuals were randomized into the CRO/AZM arm and 22 into the CRO arm. We found no significant difference in the mean macrolide resistance determinants in the day 14 anorectal samples between arms (ratio, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.55–1.83; P = .102). The prevalence of baseline macrolide resistance was high (CRO/AZM arm = 95.00%; CRO arm = 90.91%).

Conclusions

We could not demonstrate a significant effect of dual CRO/AZM therapy on the resistome compared with CRO alone, likely due to a high baseline resistance to AZM. Interventions to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistance in MSM are needed.
Researcher Experience and Comfort With Telemedicine and Remote Patient Monitoring in Cancer Treatment Trials
Authors: Lichtenstein Morgan R L , Levit Laura A , Schenkel Caroline , Kirkwood Kelsey , Fashoyin-Aje Lola A , Bruinooge Suanna S , Kelley Michael J , Mailman Josh A , Magnuson Allison , Mirda Daniel P , Natesan Divya , Hershman Dawn L
Published: September 2023

Background

Since the onset of COVID-19, oncology practices across the US have integrated telemedicine (TM) and remote patient monitoring (RPM) into routine care and clinical trials. The extent of provider experience and comfort with TM/RPM in treatment trials, however, is unknown. We surveyed oncology researchers to assess experience and comfort with TM/RPM.

Methods

Between April 10 and June 1, 2022, we distributed email surveys to US-based members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) whose member records indicated interest or specialization in clinical research. We collected respondent demographic data, clinical trial experience, workplace characteristics, and comfort and experience with TM/RPM use across trial components in phase I and phase II/III trials. TM/RPM was defined as clinical trial-related healthcare and monitoring for patients geographically separated from trial site.

Results

There were 141 surveys analyzed (5.1% response rate). Ninety percent of respondents had been Principal Investigators, 98% practiced in a norural site. Most respondents had enrolled patients in phase I (82%) and phase II/III trials (99%). Across all phases and trial components, there was a higher frequency of researcher comfort compared to experience. Regarding remote care in treatment trials, 75% reported using TM, RPM, or both. Among these individuals, 62% had never provided remote care to trial patients before the pandemic.

Conclusion

COVID-19 spurred the rise of TM/RPM in cancer treatment trials, and some TM/RPM use continues in this context. Among oncology researchers, higher levels of comfort compared with real-world experience with TM/RPM reveal opportunities for expanding TM/RPM policies and guidelines in oncology research.
Efficacy of Capecitabine and Temozolomide Regimen in Neuroendocrine Tumors: Data From the Turkish Oncology Group
Authors: Ünal Çağlar , Azizy Abdulmunir , Karabulut Senem , Taştekin Didem , Akyıldız Arif , Yaşar Serkan , Yalçın Şuayib , Çoban Eyüp , Evrensel Türkkan , Kalkan Ziya , Oruç Zeynep , Derin Sümeyra , Turna Zeynep Hande , Bayram Doğan , Köş Fahriye Tuğba , Şendur Mehmet Ali Nihat , Sever Nadiye , Ercelep Özlem , Seyyar Mustafa , Kefeli Umut , Uygun Kazım , Özçelik Melike , Ön Sercan , Şanlı Ulus Ali , Canaslan Kübra , Ünek İlkay Tuba , Yücel Kadriye Bir , Özdemir Nuriye , Yazıcı Ozan , Güzel Halil Göksel , Salim Derya Kıvrak , Göksu Sema Sezgin , Tatlı Ali Murat , Ordu Çetin , Selvi Oğuzhan , Sakin Abdullah , Büyükbayram Mehmet Emin , Dursun Bengü , Ürün Yüksel , Arak Hacı , Ağdaş Gözde , Uğraklı Muzaffer , Hendem Engin , Eryılmaz Melek Karakurt , Bilgin Burak , Topçu Atakan , Şimşek Melih , Büyükşimşek Mahmut , Akay Büşra , Erdal Gülçin Şahingöz , Karataş Fatih , Alan Özkan , Çağlayan Melek , Kahvecioğlu Fatma Akdağ , Demirci Ayşe , Paksoy Nail , Çetin Bülent , Gümüş Mahmut , Ak Naziye , Aydınalp Yasemin , Paydaş Semra , Güven Deniz Can , Kılıçkap Saadettin , Sağlam Sezer
Published: September 2023

Introduction

This study aims to report the efficacy and safety of capecitabine plus temozolomide (CAPTEM) across different lines of treatment in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

Methods

We conducted a multicenter retrospective study analyzing the data of 308 patients with metastatic NETs treated with CAPTEM between 2010 and 2022 in 34 different hospitals across various regions of Turkey.

Results

The median follow-up time was 41.0 months (range: 1.7-212.1), and the median age was 53 years (range: 22-79). Our results across the entire patient cohort showed a median progression-free survival (PFS) of 10.6 months and a median overall survival (OS) of 60.4 months. First-line CAPTEM treatment appeared more effective, with a median PFS of 16.1 months and a median OS of 105.8 months (median PFS 16.1, 7.9, and 9.6 months in first-, second- and ≥third-line respectively, P = .01; with median OS values of 105.8, 47.2, and 24.1 months, respectively, P = .003) In terms of ORR, the first-line treatment again performed better, resulting in an ORR of 54.7% compared to 33.3% and 30.0% in the second and third or higher lines, respectively (P < .001). Grade 3-4 side effects occurred only in 22.5% of the patients, leading to a discontinuation rate of 9.5%. Despite the differences in outcomes based on treatment line, we did not observe a significant difference in terms of side effects between the first and subsequent lines of treatment.

Conclusions and Relevance

The substantial superior outcomes in patients receiving first-line CAPTEM treatment highlight its potential as an effective treatment strategy for patients with metastatic NET.
“State captured” policy advice? Think tanks as expert advisors in the Western Balkans
Authors: Djordjevic Irena , Stone Diane
Published: September 2023

Few scholars have dedicated their attention to the role of think tanks as policy experts within captured states. We investigate how, why, and to what extent think tanks are used in the captured states in the Western Balkans. Our assumption was that think tanks could become party to the processes of “capture”. However, original findings from focus group and interviews with think tankers show that think tank expertise is perceived as an imposed obligation—from external pressures and existing national regulatory frameworks. Accordingly, incorporation of think tank policy advice is fulfilled to an extent, but not necessarily for the sake of improving the quality of public policies. In this environment, think tanks are enrolled in the simulacra of inclusive policy deliberation without substantially influencing policy making. Nevertheless, these organizations have developed creative mechanisms to survive, preserve their independence, and still foster advice uptake within captured bureaucracies. Openly value-driven advice is the overarching one.
A 4D asymptotically flat rotating black hole solution including supertranslation correction
Authors: Takeuchi Shingo
Published: September 2023

In this study, beginning with the 4D asymptotically flat Kerr black hole solution in the Boyer–Lindquist (BL) coordinate system, then by using the technique of frame-dragging and some coordinate transformation to incorporate the linear-order supertranslation correction, we finally obtain a 4D asymptotically flat black hole solution with an arbitrary a in the linear-order supertranslated BL coordinate system. We can confirm that this satisfies the Einstein equation. At the end, we calculate the angular momentum of the spacetime we obtained in this study including the linear-order correction. Since the supertranslation is a type of general coordinate transformation, which is usually defined by linear order, the corrections we incorporate in this study is sufficient, considering the fact that a is arbitrary. This work would be interesting as a generalization of the supertranslated spacetime to the rotating system.
Aldhelm’s Fandom: The Humble Virtues of Boniface’s Riddles
Authors: Cavell Megan , Neville Jennifer
Published: September 2023

St Boniface, the eighth-century scholar, missionary, and eventual martyr, is generally characterized as an important historical figure but a bad poet. In part it is because his verse is so strongly marked by direct borrowings from Aldhelm that it is easy to assume he did not possess the creativity or ability to write for himself. Here, we seek to rehabilitate Boniface’s collection of Latin riddles about the personified Virtues and Vices, engaging especially with Humilitas Cristiana (‘Christian Humility’), Virginitas … humilium (‘Virginity of the Humble’), Superbia (‘Pride’), and Vana gloria iactantia (‘Vainglorious Boasting’). We examine Boniface’s riddles through the lens of fan studies, arguing that fandom and fan fiction provide insights into group-identity formation and gift-giving that reframe Boniface’s debt to Aldhelm, as well as his entire creative project. Like a writer of fan fiction, Boniface creates new characters based on his reading of Aldhelm’s De virginitate (‘Concerning Virginity’) and, through them, he develops Aldhelm’s warning against taking pride in virtue. However, Boniface’s riddle-subjects speak an encoded message that only a true fan of Aldhelm could appreciate. Distance from this fandom has led to scholarly neglect of a fascinating poetic collection, but we hope to bridge the gap.
Tissue expression of the SARS-CoV-2 cell receptor gene ACE2 in children
Authors: Huang Jiyi , Guo Zhibin , Duan Junkai , Zou Yong , Chen Kuai , Huang Hui , Zhang Sheng , Zhou Yunguo
Published: September 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a significant global public health problem. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the disease, utilizes angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) as a major functional receptor to enter host cells. No study has systematically assessed ACE2 expression in multiple tissues in children. This study investigated ACE2 expression and ACE2 protein’s histological distribution in various organs in paediatric patients (the small intestine, thymus, heart and lungs). Our study revealed that ACE2 was highly expressed in enterocytes of the small intestine and widely expressed in the myocardium of heart tissues. The most notable finding was the positive staining of ACE2 in the Hassall’s corpuscles epithelial cells. Negligible ACE2 expression in the lung tissues may contribute to a lower risk of infection and fewer symptoms of pneumonia in children than in adults with COVID-19 infection. These findings provide initial evidence for understanding SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis and prevention strategies in paediatric clinical practice, which should be applicable for all children worldwide.
The Rise in Women’s Labor-Force Participation in Mexico—Supply vs. Demand Factors
Authors: Bhalotra Sonia , Fernández Manuel
Published: September 2023

This study estimates the relative importance of alternative supply and demand mechanisms in explaining the rise of female labor-force participation (FLFP) over the last 55 years in Mexico. The growth of FLFP in Mexico between 1960 and 2015 followed an S-shaped, with a considerable acceleration during the 1990s. Using descriptive decomposition methods and a shift-share design, the study shows that, put together, supply and demand factors can account for most of the rise of FLFP over the entire period, led by increases in women’s education, declining fertility, and shifts in the occupational structure of the workforce. However, there is unexplained variation in the 1990s, when FLFP spiked.
Glide-reflection symmetry in deuterostomes: an evolutionary perspective
Authors: Kuznetsov Alexander N
Published: September 2023

Alternation of left and right antimeres of segmental structures, generally known as the glide-reflection symmetry, was found to be unexpectedly widespread in deuterostomes. It occurs in both somatic and visceral organs. Its distribution in echinoderms, acorn worms, cephalochordates, ascidians, hagfishes, and chimaeras might suggest its ancestral nature in deuterostomes. It could have been inherited from Precambrian ancestors. There is a lead of the left segments against their right counterparts in all deuterostomes with glide-reflection symmetry, where the leading side is known. This allows us to presume an inherent left-to-left-side and right-to-right-side homology across all deuterostomes, contradicting a hypothesis of the whole-body dorsoventral inversion in chordates. The features of inversion could be alternatively explained by a transformation of the gastrulation process, which has caused an inversion of dorsoventral polarity in some parts of the body, but did not affect the left–right polarity. It is suggested that this process had involved the animal-vegetal extension of the blastopore along embryonic dorsal side in basal deuterostomes that was followed by the shift of the left–right organizer from the dorsal lip of the blastopore to the anterior tip of archenteron in non-chordate deuterostomes, which has caused roof-to-floor relocation of the notochordal area in their archenteron.
Seed Imbibition and Metabolism Contribute Differentially to Initial Assembly of the Soybean Holobiont
Authors: Gerna Davide , Clara David , Antonielli Livio , Mitter Birgit , Roach Thomas
Published: September 2023

Seed germination critically determines successful plant establishment and agricultural productivity. In the plant holobiont's life cycle, seeds are hubs for microbial communities’ assembly, but what exactly shapes the holobiont during germination remains unknown. Here, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing characterized the bacterial communities in embryonic compartments (cotyledons and axes) and on seed coats pre- and post-germination of four soybean ( Glycine max) cultivars, in the presence or absence of exogenous abscisic acid (ABA), which prevented germination and associated metabolism of seeds that had imbibed. Embryonic compartments were metabolically profiled during germination to design minimal media mimicking the seed endosphere for bacterial growth assays. The distinction between embryonic and seed coat bacterial microbiomes of dry seeds weakened during germination, resulting in the plumule, radicle, cotyledon, and seed coat all hosting the same most abundant and structurally influential genera in germinated seeds of every cultivar. Treatment with ABA prevented the increase of bacterial microbiomes’ richness, but not taxonomic homogenization across seed compartments. Growth assays on minimal media containing the most abundant metabolites that accumulated in germinated seeds revealed that seed reserve mobilization promoted enrichment of copiotrophic bacteria. Our data show that seed imbibition enabled distribution of seed-coat-derived epiphytes into embryos irrespective of germination, while germinative metabolism promoted proliferation of copiotrophic taxa, which predominated in germinated seeds.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .