bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A revised interpretation of signal-to-noise ratio paradox and its application to constrain regional climate projections
Authors: Duan Yanan , Kumar Sanjiv
Published: April 2024

The signal-to-noise ratio paradox is interpreted as the climate model’s ability to predict observations better than the model itself. This view is counterintuitive, given that climate models are simplified numerical representations of complex earth system dynamics. A revised interpretation is provided here: the signal-to-noise ratio paradox represents excessive noise in climate predictions and projections. Noise is potentially reducible, providing a scientific basis for improving the signal in regional climate projections. The signal-to-noise ratio paradox was assessed in long-term climate projections using single-model and multi-model large ensemble climate data. A null hypothesis was constructed by performing bootstrap resampling of climate model ensembles to test its ability to predict the 20th-century temperature and precipitation trends locally and compare it with the observations. The rejection of the null hypothesis indicates the existence of a paradox. The multi-model large ensemble does not reject the null hypothesis in most places globally. The rejection rate in the single-model large ensemble is related to the model’s fidelity to simulate internal climate variability rather than its ensemble size. For regions where the null hypothesis is rejected in the multi-model large ensemble, for example, India, the paradox is caused by a smaller signal strength in the climate model’s ensemble. The signal strength was improved by 100% through ensemble selection and based on past performance, which reduced uncertainty in India’s 30-year temperature projections by 25%. Consistent with previous studies, precipitation projections are noisier, leading to a paradox metric value 2–3 times higher than that of the temperature projections. The application of ensemble selection methodology significantly decreased uncertainty in precipitation projections for the United Kingdom, Western Australia, and Northeastern America by 47%, 36%, and 20%, respectively. Overall, this study makes a unique contribution by reducing uncertainty at the temporal scale, specifically in estimating trends using the signal-to-noise ratio paradox metric.
Monotonicity rules for the ratio of two function series and two integral transforms
Authors: Mao Zhong-Xuan , Tian Jing-Feng
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we investigate the monotonicity of the functions
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="t right-arrow from bar StartFraction sigma-summation Underscript k equals 0 Overscript normal infinity Endscripts a Subscript k Baseline w Subscript k Baseline left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis Over sigma-summation Underscript k equals 0 Overscript normal infinity Endscripts b Subscript k Baseline w Subscript k Baseline left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis EndFraction">

t
↦

∑

k
=
0

∞

a
k

w
k

(
t
)

∑

k
=
0

∞

b
k

w
k

(
t
)

t \mapsto \frac {\sum _{k=0}^\infty a_k w_k(t)}{\sum _{k=0}^\infty b_k w_k(t)}

and
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="x right-arrow from bar StartFraction integral Subscript alpha Superscript beta Baseline f left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis w left-parenthesis t comma x right-parenthesis normal d t Over integral Subscript alpha Superscript beta Baseline g left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis w left-parenthesis t comma x right-parenthesis normal d t EndFraction">

x
↦

∫
α
β

f
(
t
)
w
(
t
,
x
)

d

t

∫
α
β

g
(
t
)
w
(
t
,
x
)

d

t

x \mapsto \frac {\int _\alpha ^\beta f(t) w(t,x) \mathrm {d} t}{\int _\alpha ^\beta g(t) w(t,x) \mathrm {d} t}

, focusing on case where the monotonicity of

a
k

/

b
k

a_k/b_k

and

f
(
t
)

/

g
(
t
)

f(t)/g(t)

change once. The results presented also provide insights into the monotonicity of the ratios of two power series, two

Z

\mathcal {Z}

-transforms, two discrete Laplace transforms, two discrete Mellin transforms, two Laplace transforms, and two Mellin transforms. Finally, we employ these monotonicity rules to present several applications in the realm of special functions and stochastic orders.
Global smooth solutions in a chemotaxis system modeling immune response to a solid tumor
Authors: Tao Youshan , Winkler Michael
Published: April 2024

This manuscript studies a no-flux initial-boundary value problem for a four-component chemotaxis system that has been proposed as a model for the response of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes to a solid tumor. In contrast to classical Keller-Segel type situations focusing on two-component interplay of chemotaxing populations with a signal directly secreted by themselves, the presently considered system accounts for a certain indirect mechanism of attractant evolution. Despite the presence of a zero-order exciting nonlinearity of quadratic type that forms a core mathematical feature of the model, the manuscript asserts the global existence of classical solutions for initial data of arbitrary size in three-dimensional domains.
Three factors ParA, TipN, and DnaA-mediated chromosome replication initiation are contributors of centromere segregation in Caulobacter crescentus
Authors: Letzkus Morgan , Trela Corey , Mera Paola E.
Published: April 2024

The ability of bacteria to maintain chromosomal integrity throughout their life cycle is crucial for survival. In Caulobacter crescentus, the polar factor TipN has been proposed to be involved with the partitioning system ParABS. Cells with tipN knocked out display subtle segregation defects of the centromere-like region parS. We hypothesized that TipN’s role with parS segregation is obscured by other forces that are ParABS-independent. To test our hypothesis, we removed one of those forces – chromosome replication – and analyzed the role of TipN with ParA. We first confirm that ParA retains its ability to transport the centromeric region parS from the stalked pole to the opposite pole in the absence of chromosome replication. Our data revealed that in the absence of chromosome replication, TipN becomes essential for ParA’s ability to transport parS. Furthermore, we identify a potential connection between the replication initiator DnaA and TipN. Although TipN is not essential for viability, tipN knockout cells lose viability when the regulation of DnaA levels is altered. Our data suggest that the DnaA-dependent susceptibility of tipN knockout cells is connected to parS segregation. Collectively, this work provides insights into the complex regulation involved in the coordination of chromosome replication and segregation in bacteria.
Small fibre neuropathy in Fabry disease: a human-derived neuronal in vitro disease model and pilot data
Authors: Klein Thomas , Grüner Julia , Breyer Maximilian , Schlegel Jan , Schottmann Nicole Michelle , Hofmann Lukas , Gauss Kevin , Mease Rebecca , Erbacher Christoph , Finke Laura , Klein Alexandra , Klug Katharina , Karl-Schöller Franziska , Vignolo Bettina , Reinhard Sebastian , Schneider Tamara , Günther Katharina , Fink Julian , Dudek Jan , Maack Christoph , Klopocki Eva , Seibel Jürgen , Edenhofer Frank , Wischmeyer Erhard , Sauer Markus , Üçeyler Nurcan
Published: April 2024

Acral burning pain triggered by fever, thermal hyposensitivity and skin denervation are hallmarks of small fibre neuropathy in Fabry disease, a life-threatening X-linked lysosomal storage disorder. Variants in the gene encoding alpha-galactosidase A may lead to impaired enzyme activity with cellular accumulation of globotriaosylceramide. To study the underlying pathomechanism of Fabry-associated small fibre neuropathy, we generated a neuronal in vitro disease model using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells from three Fabry patients and one healthy control. We further generated an isogenic control line via gene editing. We subjected induced pluripotent stem cells to targeted peripheral neuronal differentiation and observed intra-lysosomal globotriaosylceramide accumulations in somas and neurites of Fabry sensory neurons using super-resolution microscopy. At functional level, patch-clamp analysis revealed a hyperpolarizing shift of voltage-gated sodium channel steady-state inactivation kinetics in isogenic control neurons compared with healthy control neurons (P < 0.001). Moreover, we demonstrate a drastic increase in Fabry sensory neuron calcium levels at 39°C mimicking clinical fever (P < 0.001). This pathophysiological phenotype was accompanied by thinning of neurite calibres in sensory neurons differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells derived from Fabry patients compared with healthy control cells (P < 0.001). Linear–nonlinear cascade models fit to spiking responses revealed that Fabry cell lines exhibit altered single neuron encoding properties relative to control. We further observed mitochondrial aggregation at sphingolipid accumulations within Fabry sensory neurites utilizing a click chemistry approach together with mitochondrial dysmorphism compared with healthy control cells. We pioneer pilot insights into the cellular mechanisms contributing to pain, thermal hyposensitivity and denervation in Fabry small fibre neuropathy and pave the way for further mechanistic in vitro studies in Fabry disease and the development of novel treatment approaches.
An Increase in Vascular Stiffness Is Positively Associated With Mitochondrial Bioenergetics Impairment of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in the Older Adults
Authors: Attachaipanich Tanawat , Sriwichaiin Sirawit , Apaijai Nattayaporn , Kerdphoo Sasiwan , Thongmung Nisakron , Vathesatogkit Prin , Sritara Piyamitr , Chattipakorn Nipon , Kitiyakara Chagriya , Chattipakorn Siriporn C
Published: April 2024

The cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) is a noninvasive parameter reflecting vascular stiffness. CAVI correlates with the burden of atherosclerosis and future cardiovascular events. Mitochondria of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have been identified as a noninvasive source for assessing systemic mitochondrial bioenergetics. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between CAVI values and mitochondrial bioenergetics of PBMCs in the older adults.. This cross-sectional study enrolled participants from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand between 2017 and 2018. A total of 1 640 participants with an ankle-brachial index greater than 0.9 were included in this study. All participants were stratified into 3 groups based on their CAVI values as high (CAVI ≥ 9), moderate (9 > CAVI ≥ 8), and low (CAVI < 8), in which each group comprised 702, 507, and 431 participants, respectively. The extracellular flux analyzer was used to measure mitochondrial respiration of isolated PBMCs. The mean age of the participants was 67.9 years, and 69.6% of them were male. After adjusted with potential confounders including age, sex, smoking status, body mass index, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and creatinine clearance, participants with high CAVI values were independently associated with impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics, including decreased basal respiration, maximal respiration, and spare respiratory capacity, as well as increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. This study demonstrated that CAVI measurement reflects the underlying impairment of cellular mitochondrial bioenergetics in PBMCs. Further longitudinal studies are necessary to establish both a causal relationship between CAVI measurement and underlying cellular dysfunction.
Validation of a Rule-Based ICD-10-CM Algorithm to Detect Fall Injuries in Medicare Data
Authors: Ganz David A , Esserman Denise , Latham Nancy K , Kane Michael , Min Lillian C , Gill Thomas M , Reuben David B , Peduzzi Peter , Greene Erich J
Published: April 2024

Background

Diagnosis-code-based algorithms to identify fall injuries in Medicare data are useful for ascertaining outcomes in interventional and observational studies. However, these algorithms have not been validated against a fully external reference standard, in ICD-10-CM, or in Medicare Advantage (MA) data.

Methods

We linked self-reported fall injuries leading to medical attention (FIMA) from the Strategies to Reduce Injuries and Develop Confidence in Elders (STRIDE) trial (reference standard) to Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) and MA data from 2015–19. We measured the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) based on sensitivity and specificity of a diagnosis-code-based algorithm against the reference standard for presence or absence of ≥1 FIMA within a specified window of dates, varying the window size to obtain points on the curve. We stratified results by source (FFS vs MA), trial arm (intervention vs control), and STRIDE’s 10 participating health care systems.

Results

Both reference standard data and Medicare data were available for 4 941 (of 5 451) participants. The reference standard and algorithm identified 2 054 and 2 067 FIMA, respectively. The algorithm had 45% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI]: 43%–47%) and 99% specificity (95% CI: 99%–99%) to identify reference standard FIMA within the same calendar month. The AUC was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.78–0.81) and was similar by FFS or MA data source and by trial arm but showed variation among STRIDE health care systems (AUC range by health care system, 0.71 to 0.84).

Conclusions

An ICD-10-CM algorithm to identify fall injuries demonstrated acceptable performance against an external reference standard, in both MA and FFS data.
Support for a hypothetical sugar-sweetened beverage tax in Taiwan
Authors: Ku Li-Jung Elizabeth , Moo Cherl Cy , Li Yueh-Chen , Chang Ya-Hui , Hsu Yuu-Hueih , Huang Yi-Chin , Lu Chin-Li , Li Chung-Yi
Published: April 2024

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are drinks that contain added sugar or sweeteners and provide calories with no additional nutrients, and some countries have imposed additional taxes on the SSBs to reduce consumption, which is considered an SSB tax policy. This study used a cross-sectional online survey to examine the patterns of public support for an SSB tax in Taiwan. The sample included 1617 adults aged ≥ 20 years, who answered the survey questionnaire between May 2020 and April 2021. The respondents were recruited using convenience sampling, but sampling weights were applied to represent the Taiwanese population. Generalized ordered logit models with sampling weights were used to examine the correlates of public support for an SSB tax. Results showed that ~60% of the respondents supported the SSB tax and 47% perceived the tax to be effective. The respondents who were aware of the perceived health risks of SSBs or those who believed that one should be partly responsible for the health impact of SSBs were more likely to show support for the SSB tax. In adjusted regression models, both one’s perceived risk and perceived responsibility of SSBs were positively associated with the perceived effectiveness of the SSB tax after sociodemographic characteristics were controlled. These research findings show evidence that there is public support for implementing an SSB tax to reduce SSB consumption in Taiwan.
Human Nutrition
Authors: Geissler Catherine , Powers Hilary
Published: April 2024

Human Nutrition features chapters from global experts, covering a broad range of disciplines within the field of human nutrition. Part 1 covers food and nutrients, looking at food and nutrient patterns and structure. It also considers food safety. The second part looks at physiology and macronutrient metabolism. Here, chapters examine nutrient digestion and absorption, body size and composition, energy balance and body weight regulation, and carbohydrate metabolism. This part also covers fat metabolism, protein metabolism, and alcohol metabolism. The third part looks at micronutrient function and metabolism and describes water-soluble vitamins, fat-soluble vitamins, and minerals and trace elements. The next part moves to dietary requirements for specific groups such as in infancy, childhood, pregnancy, and for sport and exercise. Part 5, the largest part of the book, considers nutrition and disease. Diseases and conditions covered include obesity, diabetes, cancer, dental disease, and eating disorders. Part 6 provides and assessment of nutritional status. The final part is about public health nutrition. This edition contains new material covering food sustainability, the gut microbiome, dementia, the social impact of alcohol consumption, and the implications of climate change on food security. It also looks at emerging trends are highlighted and discussed, including global malnutrition and food safety policy. COVID-19 is discussed in the context of diet and nutritional status.
Food and nutrient patterns
Authors: Walton Janette , Pot Gerda
Published: April 2024

This chapter provides an overview of food and nutrient patterns in correlation with major foods and food products in the Western diet and their nutritional importance. It also highlights how social, psychological, geographic, and economic factors determine food choices and dietary patterns. Diets in developing countries are changing rapidly, driven by urbanization, food distribution and retail technology, increased trade, income growth, and food price policies. Novel foods are increasing in Western diets with a growing emphasis on an optimal diet for promoting health and reducing the risk of diet-related chronic diseases. The chapter then considers the similarities and variability in dietary patterns in different population groups and countries.
The physiology of nutrient digestion and absorption
Authors: Grimble George
Published: April 2024

This chapter explores the physiology of nutrient digestion and absorption. It explains how the gastrointestinal tract provides a linear sequence of events resulting in the hydrolysis of dietary carbohydrates, triacylglycerols, and proteins, and the absorption of the products of digestion. The processes of digestion and absorption occur in the gastrointestinal tract, which is the largest endocrine organ in the body that houses a large part of the immune system and the colonic microbiome. Since most digestive and absorptive processes are duplicated, impairment of one process by disease does not necessarily lead to complete malabsorption of a particular nutrient. The chapter explains how luminal nutrients play a role in the regulation of food intake that maintains intestinal integrity and immune defences.
Diabetes mellitus
Authors: Bozzetto Lutgarda , Capaldo Brunella , Rivellese Angela A.
Published: April 2024

This chapter examines the aetiology and pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. It defines diabetes mellitus as a metabolic disorder of multiple aetiology characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia associated with impaired carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism. Moreover, diabetes has been classified into four distinct types: type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes mellitus, and other specific types. The chapter presents the correlation between diabetes and obesity before demonstrating how to reduce insulin resistance through lifestyle modification. It elaborates on how to prevent long-term complications of diabetes by understanding the nutritional implications of insulin therapy and the multifactorial treatment of the major cardiovascular risk factors.
Nutrition and the nervous system
Authors: Osendarp Saskia , Sergi Domenico , Williams Lynda M.
Published: April 2024

This chapter covers the interrelation between nutrition and the nervous system. Since the brain needs fuel and molecular building blocks to develop, mature, function, and prevent degeneration, nutrition impacts cognition through interactions between health status and the response of the environment. Early life nutrition may affect long-term cognitive and behavioural development throughout childhood into adult life, which builds a cognitive reserve used throughout adulthood. The dietary risk factors involved in poor child development determine the rate of cognitive decline during aging. The chapter also explains the dietary risk factors that promote child development and cognitive decline via different mechanisms.
Dental disease
Authors: Moynihan Paula
Published: April 2024

This chapter looks into the epidemiology of dental disease to highlight the importance of teeth in eating, speaking, and enhancing facial appearance. Despite being associated with a low mortality rate, dental diseases inflict considerable pain and anxiety and are costly to healthcare services. Dental diseases include enamel developmental defects, tooth wear, periodontal disease, and dental caries. The chapter explains the role of dietary sugars and fluoride in the causation and prevention of decay while referencing the relative cariogenicity of various sugars and other carbohydrates. It also details the interaction between the protective effects of fluoride and the destructive effects of sugars.
Immune regulation, food allergies, and food intolerance
Authors: Strobel Stephan , Venter Carina
Published: April 2024

This chapter details features of the immune system before exploring the relationships between nutrition, immunodeficiencies, and interactions between micronutrient status and immunity. It then discusses major aspects of the immune system and its regulation with particular reference to food allergies and food intolerance. Specific receptors provide interfaces between integrated defence systems and the relationships between innate and adaptive immunity. The chapter considers the effects of malnutrition and obesity to examime the relevance of immune function and public health outcomes. It then examines the nutritional strategies related to the prevention, diagnosis, and management of adverse reactions to food.
Global nutrition policies and interventions
Authors: Geissler Catherine , Lartey Anna
Published: April 2024

This chapter discusses recent global nutrition policies and interventions. It examines efforts to alleviate and prevent over time all forms of malnutrition in both high-income countries (HICs) and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Due to increasing urbanization, the proportion of the population that is self-sufficient in food production has correspondingly decreased, and nutritional status has become increasingly dependent on the food industry which itself has become increasingly globalized. Thus, governments, international agencies, and food industries play an important role in the promotion of good nutrition and the elimination of malnutrition. The chapter also looks into the types of interventions to combat different forms of malnutrition.
Lipids
Authors: Skeaff C. Murray , Mann Jim , Hodson Leanne
Published: April 2024

This chapter examines lipids, which are a group of compounds that dissolve in organic solvents such as petrol or chloroform. They are usually insoluble in water. The most obvious lipids in food and nutrition are edible oils, which are liquid at room temperature, and fats, which are solid at room temperature. In addition to enhancing the flavour and palatability of food, lipids make an important contribution to adequate nutrition—some of them important for reducing the risk of heart disease. The body isalso able to store energy in the form of lipids for a prolonged period of time. Such stored lipids, as they exist in adipose tissue, also serve to provide insulation, help to control body temperature, and afford some physical protection to internal organs. The chapter then looks at naturally occurring dietary lipids; dietary fats altered during food processing; the essentials of lipid metabolism; and recommendations concerning fat intake.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Mann Jim , McLean Rachael
Published: April 2024

This chapter explores cardiovascular disease (CVD), which includes coronary heart disease (CHD), also referred to as coronary artery disease or ischaemic heart disease (IHD), cerebrovascular disease or stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. A similar pathological process underlies each of these three groups of conditions, which affect the heart, the brain, and peripheral arteries. Inappropriate nutrition has most consistently been linked with CHD, and the chapter deals with risk factors for the disease influenced by diet, and the evidence indicating that dietary modification has the potential to reduce clinical CHD. While there are fewer data directly linking nutritional factors to cerebrovascular disease, there are several shared risk factors, and raised blood pressure is a particularly important causal factor for most types of stroke. Thus, dietary advice is a pivotal component in reducing the risk of CHD and cerebrovascular disease and in the treatment of those with established diseases.
Nutrition and Cancer
Authors: Bradbury Kathryn E. , Key Timothy J.
Published: April 2024

This chapter looks at cancer, which is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Cancers can arise in the cells of different tissues and organs in the body, therefore there are many different types of cancer, and the causes vary between sites. Epidemiological studies showing large variations in cancer rates between populations indicate that the majority of cases of cancer are, at least in theory, preventable, and that environmental and lifestyle factors, including diet, can play important roles in the development of cancer. Several major causes of cancer have been identified; the most important is tobacco, which causes cancer of the lung and many other types of cancer. Diet is thought to influence the risk of many cancers, but research to determine which dietary factors are related to risk is challenging and few dietary factors have been firmly established as causally related to cancer risk.
Infant Feeding and Eating Well for Toddlers
Authors: Heath Anne-Louise , Crawley Helen , Taylor Rachael
Published: April 2024

This chapter highlights infant feeding and the importance of eating well for toddlers. Nutrition during infancy and the second year of life (the first 1,000 days) is an important determinant of short- and long-term health. Exclusive breastfeeding provides the only nutrition a healthy infant needs for the first six months of life, and is recommended as the main milk drink alongside complementary foods throughout the second six months, for the first two years of life, and beyond. Infant formula is nutritionally adequate, but cannot replicate breast milk. Baby food pouches and baby-led weaning are recent, and increasingly popular, approaches to complementary feeding. Ultimately, adequate nutritional intake can be monitored using infant and toddler growth charts and monitoring of development around developmental milestones.
Biomarkers
Authors: Forouhi Nita G. , Koulman Albert
Published: April 2024

This chapter assesses biomarkers: characteristics that are objectively measured, as an indicator of normal biological processes, pathogenic processes, or responses to an exposure or intervention. Within that definition, all objective measurements in nutrition research that are indicators of the diet or nutrition-related processes, such as the assessment of body mass index as an indicator of body size, can therefore be called biomarkers. The chapter focuses on a nutritional biomarker specifically to indicate any biological specimen that is an indicator of nutritional status with respect to intake or metabolism of dietary constituents. Nutritional biomarkers include biochemical methods that assess dietary intake or nutritional status based on exogenous intake, endogenous processes, or a combination of both. Though there are multiple uses for nutritional biomarkers, a chief reason for their utility is to serve as complementary objective information rather than as a replacement for subjective dietary information from self-report methods.
Optimizing emission reduction strategies in a two-echelon supply chain: a Stackelberg game perspective under cap-and-trade regulation
Authors: Zhang Weisi , Sun Lin , Wang Yongqi , Luo Xuemeng
Published: April 2024

Cap-and-trade regulation is a primary market-based mechanism for controlling carbon emissions. In this framework, governments allocate carbon permits to supply chain participants, which can be exchanged either within the supply chain or externally in the broader carbon market. This research employs a Stackelberg game model to examine a two-tier supply chain, including a single supplier and manufacturer. The study explores emission reduction strategies, notably considering the manufacturer’s capital limitations under cap-and-trade. Assuming the leading manufacturer holds surplus carbon permits and the upstream supplier experiences a shortage, we evaluate the dynamics of carbon trading within the supply chain. To facilitate emission reductions and alleviate the manufacturer’s capital constraints, the two parties engage in a cost-sharing contract and supplier financing mechanism. Our findings indicate that an increase in the impact coefficient of the emission reduction rate correlates with a rise in the internal carbon price, resulting in a decrease in the sales price. Under the cost-sharing model, a higher external carbon trading price boosts the carbon emission reduction rate for both parties. The manufacturer realizes optimal profit with the supplier financing model when external carbon prices are low. However, the cost-sharing contract proves more advantageous as prices increase. The preference among these mechanisms depends on the coefficient of the emission reduction rate on the internal carbon price.
Using the common-sense model of illness representations to explore individuals’ experiences and perceptions of migraine and its management in the United Kingdom
Authors: Seage Catherine Heidi , Evans Rebecca , Scott Kayla Z , Nazir Wardah , James Delyth H
Published: April 2024

Objectives

Migraine is considered a chronic health condition that impacts both quality of life and psychological wellbeing. People with migraines use a range of management strategies, which include pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. The aim of this study was to explore individuals’ experiences and perceptions of migraines and its treatment using the Common-Sense Model (CSM) of Illness Representations.

Methods

Semi-structured, one-to-one interviews were conducted with eleven individuals with a history of migraine to explore their experiences and perceptions of migraine and its treatment. Participants were recruited from across the United Kingdom via convenience sampling using social media advertisement. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and qualitative data were analysed using theoretical framework analysis using the CSM.

Results

The three dimensions of the CSM were mapped on to the qualitative data. These were: (i) Cognitive representations of migraine, within five domains: (a) identity of migraine, (b) perceived causes, (c) perceived timeline, (d) perceived control/cure, and (e) perceived consequences; (ii) Emotional representations of migraine relating to (a) migraine specific emotions and (b) emotional representation of the impact of migraine; and (iii) Coping/self-management behaviours, namely (a) self-medicating behaviours and (b) care-seeking behaviours. No incongruous data were found; therefore, no further thematic analysis was required.

Conclusion

This is the first study to apply the CSM to migraine for framework analysis of qualitative data in this way. The findings illustrate the emotional impact of migraine and the range of illness perceptions associated with appropriate self-management. The data will be used to design a questionnaire for quantitative studies to investigate the extent to which these perceptions are generalizable to the wider population of people who experience migraines.
Microbial responses to long-term warming differ across soil microenvironments
Authors: Liu Xiao Jun A , Han Shun , Frey Serita D , Melillo Jerry M , Zhou Jizhong , DeAngelis Kristen M
Published: April 2024

Soil carbon loss is likely to increase due to climate warming, but microbiomes and microenvironments may dampen this effect. In a 30-year warming experiment, physical protection within soil aggregates affected the thermal responses of soil microbiomes and carbon dynamics. In this study, we combined metagenomic analysis with physical characterization of soil aggregates to explore mechanisms by which microbial communities respond to climate warming across different soil microenvironments. Long-term warming decreased the relative abundances of genes involved in degrading labile compounds (e.g. cellulose), but increased those genes involved in degrading recalcitrant compounds (e.g. lignin) across aggregate sizes. These changes were observed in most phyla of bacteria, especially for Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, and Planctomycetes. Microbial community composition was considerably altered by warming, leading to declined diversity for bacteria and fungi but not for archaea. Microbial functional genes, diversity, and community composition differed between macroaggregates and microaggregates, indicating the essential role of physical protection in controlling microbial community dynamics. Our findings suggest that microbes have the capacity to employ various strategies to acclimate or adapt to climate change (e.g. warming, heat stress) by shifting functional gene abundances and community structures in varying microenvironments, as regulated by soil physical protection.
A new species of Ctenomys (Rodentia, Ctenomyidae) from the pre-Andean regions of Mendoza Province, Argentina
Authors: Tammone Mauro N
Published: April 2024

The genus Ctenomys (Rodentia: Hystricomorpha) includes an impressive diversity of species, all of which have evolved in southern South America. The number of recognized species is currently approaching 70. During the last few decades, taxonomic revisions and new field collections have resulted in both the description of new species and the synonymization of others, suggesting that much of the alpha taxonomy of Ctenomys remains unresolved, particularly when considering the vast areas of distribution that are still unsampled. Both phylogeographic patterns and the fossil record suggest that the Andean Cordillera has played a critical role in the diversification of the genus. Building upon recent, intensive field sampling in the Andean and pre-Andean regions of southern Mendoza Province, I integrated molecular and morphological data to evaluate the taxonomic status of populations of Ctenomys in this region. These analyses revealed a taxonomically-diverse Ctenomys assemblage within which here I provide the description for a new species. Available data indicate that this new species is endemic to southern portions of Mendoza Province, a geographic region that represents the confluence of 3 lineages ‘magellanicus,’ ‘maulinus,’ and ‘mendocinus,’ and that it is thus an area of particular importance for the conservation of these rodents.
The customer is always right? Corporate client influence and women’s attainment in large US law firms
Authors: Kay Fiona M , Gorman Elizabeth H
Published: April 2024

Drawing on resource dependence and new institutional theories, this article examines the impact of corporate clients on the representation of women among associates and partners of large US law firms. We investigate the influence of women in corporate executive positions, women corporate chief legal officers, and clients who join in collective efforts to advocate for law firm diversity, as well as the role of power and dependence in client–firm relationships. We use longitudinal data on 665 law offices from the 2005 and 2010 editions of the NALP Directory of Legal Employers and incorporate client characteristics from the 2005 National Law Journal client list. We find that women executives among a firm’s corporate clients are linked to greater representation of women among law firm associates, but we observe no effects among partners, and scant effects of client participation in a key collective advocacy effort. Firm independence from client power is negatively linked to gender diversity among associates, while client independence from firm power is positively associated with women’s representation at both the associate and partner levels. In addition, firm independence from client power weakens the influence of female and activist corporate leaders on gender diversity in the case of associates but strengthens their influence in the case of partners.
Child marriage and displacement: A qualitative study of displaced and host populations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Authors: Hunersen Kara , Jeffery Allison , Karim Luqman S , Gambir Katherine , Metzler Janna , Zedan Ali , Robinson W Courtland
Published: April 2024

Though displaced populations face exacerbated challenges that are associated with increased rates of child marriage, little research has elucidated the reasons behind such phenomena. The present study qualitatively explores the drivers and consequences of child marriage among Syrian refugee, Iraqi internally displaced, and host communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Specifically, it explores how vulnerabilities in displaced groups impact child marriage decision-making and how the host communities respond to and interact with shifting child marriage customs. Qualitative results demonstrated how child marriage drivers intersect on socioecological levels with a prominent undercurrent of gender inequality that affects marriage expectations. Though participants discussed similar drivers and consequences of child marriage, there was discordance in how those drivers influence child marriage in displaced and host populations. Integration of humanitarian sectors around prevention of child marriage, along with support for married girls, is necessary considering the current context of protracted displacement in the region.
Open repair of transverse cervical pseudoaneurysm
Authors: Dahman Mohammed , Abusulayman Lina , Alharbi Norah , Joueidi Faisal , Abdulrahim Omer , Al-Omran Mohammed
Published: April 2024

A 40-year-old woman was referred to the vascular surgery clinic complaining of right shoulder pain and swelling secondary to blunt trauma 4 months ago. Computed tomography angiography showed a partially thrombosed supraclavicular pseudoaneurysm adjacent to the subclavian artery measuring 4.5 × 4 × 3.1 cm. Open repair surgery with resection of the pseudoaneurysm was successfully performed without injury to the capsule. Patient was stable and discharged 2 days later with no complications.
Pediatric case of atypical spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomatous tumor within the vastus lateralis muscle
Authors: Iseed Ramez , Stanford Lowry
Published: April 2024

This report presents a rare case of an atypical spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomatous tumor in a 13-year-old male patient. The tumor, located within the vastus lateralis muscle, was successfully resected, and the patient is currently under follow-up.
Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 in the Centre and on the Periphery
Authors: Batstone Leah
Published: April 2024

Following the end of his tenure with the Vienna Philharmonic in 1901, Gustav Mahler conducted more concerts than ever outside the imperial capital, including two performances of his Symphony No. 1 as part of the Philharmonic Society of Lemberg’s first season in 1903. In Lemberg, today the city of Lviv in western Ukraine, the symphony received an overall favourable and, perhaps unknowingly, perceptive critical reception, in contrast to the notoriously harsh reviews penned by critics in Vienna three years earlier. As a means of exploring such different responses in the centre and on the periphery of the Habsburg empire, I suggest that a common language of pluralities, which Mahler shared with the region of Galicia’s quotidian heterogeneity and emerging modernist movements, allowed the Leopolitan public to be ahead of Vienna in their openness to the early modernist modes of expression that would soon dominate European culture.
The effect of pseudoknot base pairing on cotranscriptional structural switching of the fluoride riboswitch
Authors: Hertz Laura M , White Elise N , Kuznedelov Konstantin , Cheng Luyi , Yu Angela M , Kakkaramadam Rivaan , Severinov Konstantin , Chen Alan , Lucks Julius B
Published: April 2024

A central question in biology is how RNA sequence changes influence dynamic conformational changes during cotranscriptional folding. Here we investigated this question through the study of transcriptional fluoride riboswitches, non-coding RNAs that sense the fluoride anion through the coordinated folding and rearrangement of a pseudoknotted aptamer domain and a downstream intrinsic terminator expression platform. Using a combination of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase in vitro transcription and cellular gene expression assays, we characterized the function of mesophilic and thermophilic fluoride riboswitch variants. We showed that only variants containing the mesophilic pseudoknot function at 37°C. We next systematically varied the pseudoknot sequence and found that a single wobble base pair is critical for function. Characterizing thermophilic variants at 65°C through Thermus aquaticus RNA polymerase in vitro transcription showed the importance of this wobble pair for function even at elevated temperatures. Finally, we performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations which supported the experimental findings, visualized the RNA structure switching process, and provided insight into the important role of magnesium ions. Together these studies provide deeper insights into the role of riboswitch sequence in influencing folding and function that will be important for understanding of RNA-based gene regulation and for synthetic biology applications.
DEGRONOPEDIA: a web server for proteome-wide inspection of degrons
Authors: Szulc Natalia A , Stefaniak Filip , Piechota Małgorzata , Soszyńska Anna , Piórkowska Gabriela , Cappannini Andrea , Bujnicki Janusz M , Maniaci Chiara , Pokrzywa Wojciech
Published: April 2024

E3 ubiquitin ligases recognize substrates through their short linear motifs termed degrons. While degron-signaling has been a subject of extensive study, resources for its systematic screening are limited. To bridge this gap, we developed DEGRONOPEDIA, a web server that searches for degrons and maps them to nearby residues that can undergo ubiquitination and disordered regions, which may act as protein unfolding seeds. Along with an evolutionary assessment of degron conservation, the server also reports on post-translational modifications and mutations that may modulate degron availability. Acknowledging the prevalence of degrons at protein termini, DEGRONOPEDIA incorporates machine learning to assess N-/C-terminal stability, supplemented by simulations of proteolysis to identify degrons in newly formed termini. An experimental validation of a predicted C-terminal destabilizing motif, coupled with the confirmation of a post-proteolytic degron in another case, exemplifies its practical application. DEGRONOPEDIA can be freely accessed at degronopedia.com.
Radiogenomic biomarkers for immunotherapy in glioblastoma: A systematic review of magnetic resonance imaging studies
Authors: Ghimire Prajwal , Kinnersley Ben , Karami Golestan , Arumugam Prabhu , Houlston Richard , Ashkan Keyoumars , Modat Marc , Booth Thomas C
Published: April 2024

Background

Immunotherapy is an effective “precision medicine” treatment for several cancers. Imaging signatures of the underlying genome (radiogenomics) in glioblastoma patients may serve as preoperative biomarkers of the tumor-host immune apparatus. Validated biomarkers would have the potential to stratify patients during immunotherapy clinical trials, and if trials are beneficial, facilitate personalized neo-adjuvant treatment. The increased use of whole genome sequencing data, and the advances in bioinformatics and machine learning make such developments plausible. We performed a systematic review to determine the extent of development and validation of immune-related radiogenomic biomarkers for glioblastoma.

Methods

A systematic review was performed following PRISMA guidelines using the PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases. Qualitative analysis was performed by incorporating the QUADAS 2 tool and CLAIM checklist. PROSPERO registered: CRD42022340968. Extracted data were insufficiently homogenous to perform a meta-analysis.

Results

Nine studies, all retrospective, were included. Biomarkers extracted from magnetic resonance imaging volumes of interest included apparent diffusion coefficient values, relative cerebral blood volume values, and image-derived features. These biomarkers correlated with genomic markers from tumor cells or immune cells or with patient survival. The majority of studies had a high risk of bias and applicability concerns regarding the index test performed.

Conclusions

Radiogenomic immune biomarkers have the potential to provide early treatment options to patients with glioblastoma. Targeted immunotherapy, stratified by these biomarkers, has the potential to allow individualized neo-adjuvant precision treatment options in clinical trials. However, there are no prospective studies validating these biomarkers, and interpretation is limited due to study bias with little evidence of generalizability.
Rural-urban Differences in Long-term Mortality and Readmission Following COVID-19 Hospitalization, 2020 to 2023
Authors: Yousufuddin Mohammed , Mahmood Maryam , Barkoudah Ebrahim , Badr Fatimazahra , Khandelwal Kanika , Manyara Warren , Sharma Umesh , Abdalrhim Ahmed D , Issa Meltiady , Bhagra Sumit , Murad Mohammad H
Published: April 2024

Background

We compared long-term mortality and readmission rates after COVID-19 hospitalization based on rural-urban status and assessed the impact of COVID-19 vaccination introduction on clinical outcomes by rurality.

Methods

The study comprised adults hospitalized for COVID-19 at 17 hospitals in 4 US states between March 2020 and July 2022, followed until May 2023. The main analysis included all patients, whereas a sensitivity analysis focused on residents from 4 states containing 17 hospitals. Additional analyses compared the pre- and postvaccination periods.

Results

The main analysis involved 9325 COVID-19 hospitalized patients: 31% were from 187 rural counties in 31 states; 69% from 234 urban counties in 44 states; the mean age was 65 years (rural, 66 years; urban, 64 years); 3894 women (rural, 41%; urban, 42%); 8007 Whites (rural, 87%; urban, 83%); 1738 deaths (rural, 21%; urban, 17%); and 2729 readmissions (rural, 30%; urban, 29%). During a median follow-up of 602 days, rural residence was associated with a 22% higher all-cause mortality (log-rank, P < .001; hazard ratio, 1.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.10-1.34, P < .001), and a trend toward a higher readmission rate (log-rank, P = .038; hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, .98-1.15; P = .130). The results remained consistent in the sensitivity analysis and in both pre- and postvaccination time periods.

Conclusions and Relevance

Patients from rural counties experienced higher mortality and tended to be readmitted more frequently following COVID-19 hospitalization over the long term compared with those from urban counties, a difference that remained even after the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines.