bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of 30-day readmission rates and 1-year mortality of cardiovascular disease between Australian- and overseas-born residents: a large cohort study of older Australian adults
Authors: Zhang L , Buskirk J V , Gallagher R , Ding D
Published: July 2023

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is prevalent, causing high hospital readmission rates and mortality. Social determinants of health such as ethnicity and cultural background are known to influence CVD outcomes. However, comparisons of CVD outcomes between Australian- and overseas-born residents for 30-day readmissions and mortality patterns in ischemic heart disease (IHD), heart failure (HF) and stroke, are not well understood.

Purposes

This study aimed to compare 30-day readmission after hospitalisation due to IHD, HF or stroke and 1-year CVD mortality across three country of birth groups (Australian-born, born in English-speaking countries and born in non-English-speaking countries).

Methods

The study group was drawn from the 45 and Up cohort, Australia’s largest ongoing study of health and ageing, consisted of participants free of IHD, HF and stroke at baseline who were admitted to hospital for a CVD-related diagnosis after baseline, linked with hospital admissions (mean follow-up time 11.2 years) and mortality data (mean follow-up time 9.9 years). Risk ratios for 30-day readmission and 1-year CVD mortality across three country of birth groups (Australia, English-speaking countries other than Australia, and non-English-speaking countries) were calculated using binary logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, socioeconomic status, marital status, age at migration and education.

Results

A total of 39,458 participants were analysed with a mean age of 66.5, of which 54% were male, 13% and 10% were born in English-speaking countries other than Australia and non-English-speaking countries, respectively.

The crude rates for 30-day readmission and 1-year CVD mortality of the overall sample were 32 per 100 and 2.6 per 100. Compared to Australian-born participants, those born in English-speaking countries had a 7 % lower risk of 30-day readmission (RR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.87-0.99), and those born in non-English-speaking countries had a 16% lower risk (RR: 0.84, 95 CI: 0.78-0.91). No evidence of an association between country of birth and 1-year CVD mortality was found.

Conclusion

Overseas-born Australians regardless of English-language background have a lower risk of 30-day readmission compared to those who are Australian-born when sociodemographic characteristics are adjusted for. However, the 45 and Up Study questionnaire was available only in English. Residents born in non-English-speaking countries with limited English skills were thus less likely to be involved in this study. Further studies should consider other characteristics and potential explanations for this benefit.
Review of electrocardiogram ordering in the context of prescribing combinations of known QT prolonging medicines
Authors: Ireland J , Lai B , Fazio T , Griffett K
Published: July 2023

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

The risk of medication-induced QT prolongation can be mitigated by reviewing electrocardiograms (ECG) in a hospital inpatient setting. Currently, within the Electronic Medical Record (EMR), decision support tools do not exist to conduct ECG monitoring when prescribing multiple QT prolonging medications. This retrospective review of prescribing data from 2021 looked to assess if we are appropriately ordering ECGs. The results could potentially guide developing decision support tools within the EMR to influence the prescribing of QT-prolonging medications and reduce the risk of QT-prolongation in hospitalised patients.

Purpose

To ascertain the prevalence of baseline and follow-up ECGs when three or more known QT prolonging medications were concurrently administered.

Methods

QT prolonging medications were defined using Crediblemeds [1], an online resource aimed to support the safe prescribing of QT prolonging medications. Known QT prolonging medications were defined as medications which prolong the QT interval and are associated with Torsades de Pointes. A retrospective review of inpatient prescribing in 2021 was conducted by extracting data from the EMR. Patients who received three or more of these medications on the same calendar day were included. Information reported included patient demographics, details of QT prolonging medication and whether ECGs were performed. Certain intra-operative medications were excluded from review due to the short patient exposure time to the medication. ECGs were reviewed independently by two pharmacists and the QTc interval was calculated using the Bazett formula.

Results

A total of 70 patients received three or more QT prolonging medications. In total, 30 (43%) patients had a baseline ECG performed within seven days of medication commencement and 6 (9%) patients received both a baseline and follow-up ECG within 24 hours of medication administration. One patient had a prolonged QTc (>500msec) on their baseline ECG. Baseline ECGs were not performed in 29 (41%) of patients whereas Eleven patients (16%) had an ECG on record, but it was older than seven days prior to medication administration. Three patients without a baseline ECG had a follow-up ECG within 24 hours after medication administration. Overall, 28 different medications were identified with Ondansetron, Ciprofloxacin and Escitalopram appearing most commonly.

Conclusions

This audit indicates that clinicians are not consistently ordering ECGs at baseline or utilising follow up ECGs when prescribing concurrent QT prolonging medications which may increase the risk of preventable patient harm. Though QT prolongation was not detected on follow-up ECGs, this may be impacted by the low prevalence of follow-up ECGs. The utilisation of decision support tools within the EMR may improve ECG monitoring in patients at risk of QT prolongation.
Sacubitril/valsartan improves exercise performance in patients with heart failure: a dose-dependent effect
Authors: Mattavelli I , Mapelli M , Salvioni E , Paolillo S , De Martino F , Vignati C , Magri' D , Mantegazza V , Tamborini G , Agostoni P
Published: July 2023

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Sacubitril/Valsartan therapy has become a cornerstone of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) pharmacological therapy due to its positive prognostic impact. However, conflicting results have emerged on the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on exercise performance assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).

Purpose

The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effects of sacubitril/valsartan on prognostically significant CPET parameters in a larger population of HFrEF patients at different drug doses.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled HFrEF outpatients eligible to start sacubitril/valsartan according to 2016 ESC Guidelines in 3 Heart Failure Units. Patients underwent CPET at baseline (before sacubitril/valsartan treatment), after 1, 2, 3 months (respectively after a month taking the 24/26 – 49/51 – 97/103mg doses), and 6 months after the maximum tolerated dose was reached (end-study). The subjective impression of disease-related limitation was assessed using the 12-item Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ).

Results

113 patients were enrolled (age 64.5±9.7, 81% males) (Table 1). Peak oxygen intake (peakVO2) improved at each step from 15.0±4.5 mL/min/kg at baseline to 16.5±4.9 mL/min/kg at end study visit, corresponding to 61.5±16.0 and 67.9±17.4 % of predicted, respectively (p<0.05). Minute ventilation/carbon dioxide production relationship (VE/VCO2 slope) reduced from 39.6±5.5 to 35.9±7.1 (p = 0.005) in the 39 patients (42%) with pathological VE/VCO2≥34 at baseline. KCCQ improved significantly since the first visit with an overall summary score increase from 47.9±11.1 to 52.6±9.8 (p<0.001).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that sacubitril/valsartan benefits on exercise capacity are immediately evident at the lowest dose and progressively improve as the dose increases.
The detection of sudden cardiac death sports preparticipation in sports population adult: a narrative review
Authors: Sillero Sillero A , Gomez Periago I V E T , Ayuso Marganon R A Q U E L , Gil Poisa M A R I A , Noemi Moreno-Segura N O E M I , Fuentes Aparicio L A U R A , Marques-Sule E L E N A , Pedreira Robles G U I L L E
Published: July 2023

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

The practice of sports by the general population is increasing, and, despite being beneficial to health, it can also increase the risk of sudden death. In recent studies, screening tests have been suggested to identify at-risk people and prevent sudden cardiac death. There is, however, considerable debate about who to screen, how to screen, and whether these programs are effective. Thus, it is important to review the scientific evidence in the literature on the most appropriate tests for preventing sudden cardiac death in adults and the role of nursing in your implementation.

Methods

A narrative Literature review. The content analysis method has been used (Mayring, 2000). Data from the papers was fragmented into descriptive codes assigned based on their content. The search was carried out in May 2022. The databases used were SCOPUS, WEB of Science, and PUBMED.A combination of the following keywords was used for adapted descriptors in each database: ‘sudden cardiac death’, ‘sport’, ‘screening ‘, ‘adults’ and ‘athletes ‘. Taking into account the complexity of the study subject, the inclusion criteria were: all the articles published in the past ten years in peer-reviewed journals in English and Spanish. 2 Investigators excluded duplicated studies and read and evaluated the title and abstract of the studies found. Articles which did not address the questions of the investigation were ruled out. Thereafter, all the articles published in the previous ten years and considered relevant to the review were included. The content analysis method has been used (Mayring, 2000). Data from the papers was fragmented into descriptive codes assigned based on their content.

Results

The results are organized:

a) Clinical history and physical examination b) Electrocardiogram c) Other tests d) Clinical guidelines. Finally, 14 articles were analyzed, mostly literature reviews focused on the sports population.

Conclusions

The present study highlights a need to design specific and efficient screening strategies for sports preparticipation. Bearing this in mind, correct detection and prevention of sudden cardiac death is essential to ensure safe sports practice. For this, it is recommended to have a pre-sports participation cardiovascular examination. In addition, such a preparticipation cardiovascular evaluation offers the potential for detecting other potentially lethal cardiovascular conditions. Similarly, the nursing staff's role in these procedures ranges from the educational aspect to the supervision of the equipment and adequate organization to carry out the assessment.
Factors associated with somatic symptoms perception in patients living with heart failure
Authors: Massouh A , Makhoul M , Wehbe S
Published: July 2023

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Other. Main funding source(s): University Review Board of the American University of Beirut

Background

Heart Failure [HF] affects 64.3 million individuals globally and despite its decreasing global burden it remains dramatically high in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Self-care is highly recommended to improve HF patient outcomes and an integral aspect for effective HF self-care is symptom perception. This involves body listening, symptom recognition and monitoring, and interpreting and labeling the meaning of these symptoms.

Purpose

To identify factors related to HF symptom burden as perceived by patients living with HF and using the Heart Failure Somatic Perception [HFSP] scale.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of a cross-sectional correlational study that recruited dyads living with HF. Patients were assessed for symptom burden measured by the HFSP scale, depression measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-9], perceived control measured using the Control Attitudes Scale [CAS], and quality of life measured using the Minnesota Living with HF [MLWHF] questionnaire. Independent t-Test and Pearson correlation were used for analysis.

Results

A total of 109 HF patients [mean age 63.24 ± 10.77 years, 69.7% males] were included. The mean score of HFSP scale was 27.96 ± 19.43. Symptomatic HF patients [New York Functional Class (NYHA) I and II] had significantly higher HFSP than asymptomatic patients [NYHA III and IV] indicating higher symptom burden [32.90 ± 19.65 versus 23.16 ± 17.79; p = 0.11]. Likely, higher symptom burden was associated with lower total quality of life [higher MLWHF score; r = .802; p <.001], lower physical quality of life [r = .802; p <.001], lower emotional quality of life [r = .384; p <.001], more depression [higher PHQ-9 score; r = .464; p <.001], and lower perceived control over symptoms and disease process [lower CAS score; r = -.506; p <.001]. Predictors were retained in the regression model if they contributed significantly to the model or were conceptually relevant and did not negatively affect the variance. Worse quality of life and lower perceived control explained about 60% of the variance in symptom burden [F = 49.189; p = 0.001].

Conclusion

Results of this secondary analysis suggest that patients’ somatic perception of their illness has an independent and substantial relationship to their functionality, quality of life, and perceived control over illness. Illness perceptions are amenable to change, and healthcare providers are tasked with developing and testing targeted interventions aimed to modify these as this may be helpful for improving quality of life and control over disease process.
Factors determining the lifestyle and the level of health behaviors of patients with circulatory failure
Authors: Serzysko B , Mroczkowska R , Podsiadlo B
Published: July 2023

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): Specjalistyczna praktyka pielęgniarska

Introduction

Lifestyle understood as health behavior is the basic determinant of health along with biological, genetic and social factors, as well as the level of quality of medical care.

Aim

Evaluation of lifestyle factors and the level of health behaviors of patients with circulatory failure

Materials and Methods

The study involved 100 patients of a center for heart diseases with diagnosed heart failure. The research was conducted using a standardized questionnaire, Zygfryd Jurczyński's Inventory of Health Behaviors, and his own design.

Results

Most patients with heart failure (67%) show a low level of health behaviors. The general level of health behaviors is not differentiated by gender and place of residence (p>0.05), but it is differentiated by age (p < 0.05), level of education (p < 0.05), marital status or BMI (p< 0.05).

Conclusion

Lifestyle changes are the cheapest but most difficult step to take. They require discipline and permanent change of habits. Then the daily life of a patient with heart failure can become an effective, natural way to support the work of the heart, which can reduce the number of medications taken or hospitalizations.
Assessment of a SARS-CoV-2 population-wide rapid antigen testing in Italy: a modeling and economic analysis study
Authors: Cavazza Marianna , Sartirana Marco , Wang Yuxi , Falk Markus
Published: July 2023

Background

This study aimed to compare the cost-effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mass testing, carried out in November 2020 in the Italian Bolzano/Südtirol province, to scenarios without mass testing in terms of hospitalizations averted and quality-adjusted life-year (QALYs) saved.

Methods

We applied branching processes to estimate the effective reproduction number (Rt) and model scenarios with and without mass testing, assuming Rt = 0.9 and Rt = 0.95. We applied a bottom-up approach to estimate the costs of mass testing, with a mixture of bottom-up and top-down methodologies to estimate hospitalizations averted and incremental costs in case of non-intervention. Lastly, we estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), denoted by screening and related social costs, and hospitalization costs averted per outcome derived, hospitalizations averted and QALYs saved.

Results

The ICERs per QALY were €24 249 under Rt = 0.9 and €4604 under Rt = 0.95, considering the official and estimated data on disease spread. The cost-effectiveness acceptability curves show that for the Rt = 0.9 scenario, at the maximum threshold willingness to pay the value of €40 000, mass testing has an 80% probability of being cost-effective compared to no mass testing. Under the worst scenario (Rt = 0.95), at the willingness to pay threshold, mass testing has an almost 100% probability of being cost-effective.

Conclusions

We provide evidence on the cost-effectiveness and potential impact of mass COVID-19 testing on a local healthcare system and community. Although the intervention is shown to be cost-effective, we believe the initiative should be carried out when there is initial rapid local disease transmission with a high Rt, as shown in our model.
Trees and forests’ contribution to well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in England: how did people adapt to change?
Authors: O’Brien Liz , Cook Mandy , Hall Clare , Ambrose-Oji Bianca
Published: July 2023

COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic on 11 March 2020 and has meant entire populations have experienced a significant change in lifestyle. Restrictions in England occurred through a series of phases from a lockdown through to the opening of shops and facilities. The initial restrictions led to a strong media focus on nature and getting outdoors for exercise and mental well-being. Alongside this but not related to COVID-19, there is a strong policy focus on forest creation and expansion in England with debate about where new forests might be created, what benefits they might provide, and to whom. In this research, we explored, for those with an existing interest in nature, whether this connection to nature and specifically to trees and forests could support people in coping with the restrictions they faced during the pandemic. We carried out an online survey in England in June/July 2020 and received 3333 qualitative comments. We then carried out 25 follow-up interviews in August/September 2020 with a sample of those who had completed the survey. We use the Kübler-Ross change curve as a lens to explore people’s reactions and responses to the significant changes brought about by the COVID-19 crisis, with a focus on their experiences relating to trees and forests. The results highlight that some people did move through the four stages of change outlined in the Kübler-Ross framework, although not always in a linear process, from shock and denial, to resistance, to exploration, and adaptation. The change curve model proved useful in this study but also had some limitations. Engagement with forests supported some adaptation as well as exploration through people undertaking new activities, visiting local spaces, and spending more time outdoors with their children. We also found that the benefits of engaging with trees and forests could help to support people’s well-being in times of high anxiety. The study highlights the importance of trees and forests as part of people’s lives, and the role they can play in supporting them when faced with major challenges.
Chromosome-Scale Genome Assembly of the Solitary Parasitoid Wasp Microplitis manilae Ashmead, 1904 (Braconidae: Microgastrinae)
Authors: Yan Bin , Di Xueyuan , Yang Maofa , Wu Huizi , Yu Xiaofei , Zhang Feng
Published: July 2023

Parasitoid wasps are invaluable natural enemies extensively used to control coleopteran, dipteran, and lepidopteran pests in agriculture and forestry owing to their killing and reproductive actions on hosts. The important larval endoparasitoid wasp Microplitis manilae, which belongs to the Microgastrinae subfamily, parasitizes the larval stages of Spodoptera spp., such as Spodoptera litura and Spodoptera frugiperda. The absence of a genomic resource for M. manilae has impeded studies on chemosensory- and detoxification-related genes. This study presents a chromosome-level genome assembly of M. manilae with a genome size of 293.18 Mb, which includes 222 contigs (N50 size, 7.58 Mb) and 134 scaffolds (N50 size, 27.33 Mb). A major proportion of the genome (284.76 Mb; 97.13%) was anchored to 11 pseudochromosomes with a single-copy BUSCO score of 98.4%. Furthermore, 14,316 protein-coding genes, 165.14 Mb (57.99%) repetitive elements, and 871 noncoding RNAs were annotated and identified. Additionally, a manual annotation of 399 genes associated with chemosensation and 168 genes involved in detoxification was conducted. This study provides a valuable and high-quality genomic resource to facilitate further functional genomics research on parasitoid wasps.
Hetnet connectivity search provides rapid insights into how biomedical entities are related
Authors: Himmelstein Daniel S , Zietz Michael , Rubinetti Vincent , Kloster Kyle , Heil Benjamin J , Alquaddoomi Faisal , Hu Dongbo , Nicholson David N , Hao Yun , Sullivan Blair D , Nagle Michael W , Greene Casey S
Published: July 2023

Background

Hetnets, short for “heterogeneous networks,” contain multiple node and relationship types and offer a way to encode biomedical knowledge. One such example, Hetionet, connects 11 types of nodes—including genes, diseases, drugs, pathways, and anatomical structures—with over 2 million edges of 24 types. Previous work has demonstrated that supervised machine learning methods applied to such networks can identify drug repurposing opportunities. However, a training set of known relationships does not exist for many types of node pairs, even when it would be useful to examine how nodes of those types are meaningfully connected. For example, users may be curious about not only how metformin is related to breast cancer but also how a given gene might be involved in insomnia.

Findings

We developed a new procedure, termed hetnet connectivity search, that proposes important paths between any 2 nodes without requiring a supervised gold standard. The algorithm behind connectivity search identifies types of paths that occur more frequently than would be expected by chance (based on node degree alone). Several optimizations were required to precompute significant instances of node connectivity at the scale of large knowledge graphs.

Conclusion

We implemented the method on Hetionet and provide an online interface at https://het.io/search. We provide an open-source implementation of these methods in our new Python package named hetmatpy.
Health record hiccups—5,526 real-world time series with change points labelled by crowdsourced visual inspection
Authors: Quan T Phuong , Lacey Ben , Peto Tim E A , Walker A Sarah
Published: July 2023

Background

Large routinely collected data such as electronic health records (EHRs) are increasingly used in research, but the statistical methods and processes used to check such data for temporal data quality issues have not moved beyond manual, ad hoc production and visual inspection of graphs. With the prospect of EHR data being used for disease surveillance via automated pipelines and public-facing dashboards, automation of data quality checks will become increasingly valuable.

Findings

We generated 5,526 time series from 8 different EHR datasets and engaged >2,000 citizen-science volunteers to label the locations of all suspicious-looking change points in the resulting graphs. Consensus labels were produced using density-based clustering with noise, with validation conducted using 956 images containing labels produced by an experienced data scientist. Parameter tuning was done against 670 images and performance calculated against 286 images, resulting in a final sensitivity of 80.4% (95% CI, 77.1%–83.3%), specificity of 99.8% (99.7%–99.8%), positive predictive value of 84.5% (81.4%–87.2%), and negative predictive value of 99.7% (99.6%–99.7%). In total, 12,745 change points were found within 3,687 of the time series.

Conclusions

This large collection of labelled EHR time series can be used to validate automated methods for change point detection in real-world settings, encouraging the development of methods that can successfully be applied in practice. It is particularly valuable since change point detection methods are typically validated using synthetic data, so their performance in real-world settings cannot be assumed to be comparable. While the dataset focusses on EHRs and data quality, it should also be applicable in other fields.
Health impacts of social determinants and lifestyle behaviours: some evidence from Canadian provinces
Authors: Safaei Jalil , Saliminezhad Andisheh
Published: July 2023

This study seeks to identify the impact of social determinants and lifestyle factors on life expectancy and self-perceived health as two measures of objective and subjective health, respectively, using data from Canadian provinces during 2007–21. Through a simple conceptual model, it lays out the direct and indirect pathways through which social and lifestyle determinants affect health. The conceptual model guides the formulation of empirical models, which are used to estimate the effects of social and lifestyle factors on health. The study uses ‘panel-corrected standard errors’ estimation method to obtain reliable results. The findings confirm that social determinants contribute directly and indirectly (through lifestyle) to life expectancy. For self-perceived health, however, the contributions of both social and lifestyle determinants are only direct. The latter result may be explained by the immediacy of lifestyle and its impact on health in individuals’ minds, a notion that is constantly reinforced by the mainstream discourse on health promotion. Our study indicates that lifestyle factors should be addressed within the context of broader social determinants. In other words, an individual agency should be understood within the larger enveloping social structure. The study recognizes redistributive measures aimed at reducing social gradients in health as effective health promotion policies.
Early Biologic Treatment Decreases Risk of Surgery in Crohn’s Disease but not in Ulcerative Colitis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Law Cindy C Y , Tkachuk Bryce , Lieto Stephen , Narula Neeraj , Walsh Samantha , Colombel Jean-Frédéric , Ungaro Ryan C
Published: July 2023

Background and Aims

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can lead to long-term complications that significantly impact patients’ quality of life and healthcare resource utilization. Prior studies have demonstrated improved short-term outcomes to early exposure of biologics in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) but not in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, there are conflicting data on impact of early intervention on longer-term adverse events. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the impact of early biologic treatment on rates of IBD-related surgery.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in April 2022. Studies were included if biologic initiation was compared between patients starting early (<3 years of diagnosis or top-down treatment) vs later (>3 years of diagnosis or step-up treatment). Studies with <1 year of follow-up were excluded. The outcomes were colectomy and CD-related surgery for patients with UC and CD, respectively. Random-effects analyses were conducted to compare rates of IBD surgery between early and late biologic treatment.

Results

Eighteen studies were included in the meta-analysis. Three studies included patients with UC and 15 studies included patients with CD. In patients with CD, early biologic therapy was associated with lower odds of surgery (odds ratio, 0.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-0.84) compared with late treatment. Conversely, in patients with UC, the odds of colectomy were increased (odds ratio, 2.86; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-6.30).

Conclusions

Early biologic treatment is associated with lower rates of surgery in patients with CD. In contrast, early biologic therapy appears to be associated with higher rates of colectomy in patients with UC, which may be confounded by disease severity.
Unexpected Performance in Developing Birds
Authors: Heers Ashley M
Published: July 2023

Synopsis

Birds are well known for their ability to fly, and flight-capable adult birds have many anatomical specializations for meeting the demands of aerial locomotion. Juvenile birds in altricial species typically acquire these specializations close to fledging and leave the nest with some flight capability. In contrast, juveniles in most precocial species begin navigating their environment with rudimentary anatomies and may not develop full-sized wings or musculoskeletal apparatuses for several months. This manuscript explores how juvenile birds achieve high levels of locomotor performance in the absence of flight specializations, by synthesizing work on two groups of precocial birds with very different developmental strategies. Galliforms like the Chukar Partridge (Alectoris chukar) have early wing development and are capable of flight within weeks. Compared with adults, juvenile chukars have less aerodynamically effective feathers and smaller muscles but compensate through anatomical, kinematic, and behavioral mechanisms. In contrast, waterfowl have delayed wing development and initially rely on leg-based locomotion. In Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and their domesticated derivatives, leg investment and performance peak early in ontogeny, but then decline when wings develop. Chukar and mallard juveniles thus rely on different mechanisms for negotiating their surroundings in the absence of flight specializations. In conjunction with work in other animals, these patterns indicate that juveniles with developing locomotor apparatuses can achieve surprisingly high levels of locomotor performance through a variety of compensatory mechanisms.
Sidon Sets in Algebraic Geometry
Authors: Forey Arthur , Fresán Javier , Kowalski Emmanuel
Published: July 2023

We report new examples of Sidon sets in abelian groups arising from generalized Jacobians of curves, and discuss some of their properties with respect to size and structure.
The F-Signature Function on the Ample Cone
Authors: Lee Seungsu , Pande Swaraj
Published: July 2023

For any fixed globally $F$-regular projective variety $X$ over an algebraically closed field of positive characteristic, we study the $F$-signature of section rings of $X$ with respect to the ample Cartier divisors on $X$. In particular, we define an $F$-signature function on the ample cone of $X$ and show that it is locally Lipschitz continuous. We further prove that the $F$-signature function extends to the boundary of the ample cone. We also establish an effective comparison between the $F$-signature function and the volume function on the ample cone. As a consequence, we show that for divisors that are nef but not big, the extension of the $F$-signature is zero.
The ligand interactions of B cell Siglecs are involved in the prevention of autoimmunity to sialylated self-antigens and in the quality control of signaling-competent B cells
Authors: Tsubata Takeshi
Published: July 2023

Sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) are a family of membrane molecules that recognize sialic acid. Most of them are inhibitory receptors that inhibit immune-cell activation by recognizing sialic acid as a self-motif. Human B cells express CD22 (also known as Siglec-2), Siglec-5, Siglec-6 and Siglec-10 whereas mouse B cells express CD22 and Siglec-G (ortholog of human Siglec-10). Siglecs recognize both sialylated molecules expressed on the same cell (cis-ligands) and those expressed by other cells (trans-ligands). In Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), antibody production to gangliosides (which are sialic acid-containing glycolipids) expressed by neurons plays a pathogenic role. A Siglec-10 variant deficient in recognition of gangliosides is genetically associated with GBS, suggesting that Siglec-10 induces self-tolerance to gangliosides by recognizing gangliosides as trans-ligands. Recognition of the BCR as a cis-ligand by Siglec-G and CD22 suppresses BCR signaling in B-1 cells and conventional B cells, respectively. This signal suppression prevents excess expansion of B-1 cells and is involved in the quality control of signaling-competent B cells by setting a threshold for tonic signaling during B cell development. CD22 recognizes other cis-ligands including CD22 and β7 integrin. Interaction of CD22 with other CD22 molecules induces CD22 clustering that suppresses CD22-mediated signal inhibition upon BCR ligation, and interaction with β7 integrin maintains its function in the gut-homing of B cells. Taken together, interactions of B cell Siglecs with multiple trans- and cis-ligands play important roles in B cell homeostasis and immune responses.
The c-di-GMP signalling component YfiR regulates multiple bacterial phenotypes and virulence in Pseudomonas plecoglossicida
Authors: Wang Ying , Jin Yinhua , Sun Fei , Zhang Yuanxing , Liu Qin , Wang Qiyao , Yang Dahai , Zhang Yibei
Published: July 2023

Aims

Pseudomonas plecoglossicida (P. plecoglossicida) is the causative agent of visceral granulomas disease in large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) and it causes severe economic loss to its industry. Biofilm formation, related to intracellular cyclic bis (3′–5′) diguanylic acid (c-di-GMP) levels, is essential for the lifestyle of P. plecoglossicida. This research aims to investigate the role of YfiR—a key regulator of the diguanylate cyclase YfiN to regulate c-di-GMP levels and reveal its regulatory function of bacterial virulence expression in P. plecoglossicida.

Methods and results

A genetic analysis was carried out to identify the yfiBNR operon for c-di-GMP regulation in P. plecoglossicida. Then, we constructed a yfiR mutant and observed increased c-di-GMP levels, enhanced biofilm formation, increased exopolysaccharides, and diminished swimming and swarming motility in this strain. Moreover, through establishing a yolk sac microinjection infection model in zebrafish larvae, an attenuated phenotype of yfiR mutant that manifested as restored survival and lower bacterial colonization was found.

Conclusions

YfiR is the key regulator of virulence in P. plecoglossicida, which contributes to c-di-GMP level, biofilm formation, exopolysaccharides production, swimming, swarming motility, and bacterial colonization in zebrafish model.
Changes in antibacterial activity, colour, and hydrogen peroxide content of Western Australian Jarrah and Marri honeys after storage at different temperatures over time
Authors: Jones Zachary J M , Huang Yina , Green Kathryn J , Hammer Katherine A
Published: July 2023

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of storage and different temperatures on the antibacterial activity and physicochemical characteristics of several types of honey.

Methods and results

Honeys stored for 16 weeks at 37 and 45°C showed significant declines in antibacterial activity determined by minimum inhibitory concentrations, the loss of hydrogen peroxide, decreases in honey pH, and increases in honey colour, with changes most pronounced at 45°C. In contrast, honeys stored for 16 weeks at ambient (∼22°C) and cold (4, −20, and −80°C) temperatures showed only minor changes. In a second set of 12 honeys stored for 16–32 months at ambient temperature and then 4°C, honeys showed minor changes in antibacterial activity, increases in colour, and decreases in pH. For a third set of 17 honeys stored for five years at ambient temperature, the honeys showed almost complete loss of hydrogen peroxide and were all significantly darker in colour, but showed varied changes in antibacterial activity.

Conclusions

Heat was detrimental to the antibacterial activity of honeys, as was long-term storage at ambient temperatures for some honeys but not others.
Validation of the KangarooSci® Aerobic Count Plate for the Enumeration of Meosphilic Aerobic Bacteria in Selected Foods and on Stainless Steel Environmental Surfaces: AOAC Performance Tested MethodSM 062301
Authors: Wei Danping , Wu Di , Wang Jisheng , Li Yazhou , Sun Xinyu , Zhang Can , Zhang Shuai , Thompson Wesley , Benzinger Jr M Joseph , Crowley Erin
Published: July 2023

Background

The KangarooSci® Aerobic Count Plate (ACP) is a sample-ready culture medium system for direct counting of aerobic bacteria colonies after 48–72 h of incubation.

Objective

The KangarooSci ACP was evaluated for AOAC Performance Tested MethodsSM certification.

Methods

The KangarooSci ACP was evaluated through matrix studies and product consistency/stability study and robustness testing. For the matrix study, nine food products (nonfat dry milk powder, fresh raw bovine milk, pasteurized liquid bovine milk, fresh raw ground beef, frozen uncooked chicken breast, cooked shredded pork, apple juice, ice cream, and fresh strawberries), and one environmental surface (stainless steel) were evaluated following the KangarooSci ACP product instructions and compared to the ISO 4833–1:2013, Microbiology of food and animal feeding stuffs—Horizontal methods for the enumeration of microorganisms—Part 1: Colony count at 30 °C by the pour plate technique reference standard. The product consistency and stability testing evaluated three separate production lots of the KangarooSci ACP. The robustness testing examined three test parameters, volume of sample plated, incubation time, and incubation temperature, using a factorial study design.

Results

Results from the matrix study demonstrated equivalent performance between the KangarooSci ACP and the ISO 4833–1:2013 reference standard. The product consistency and stability testing showed that the performance of the assay was equivalent over time up to 12 months and between production lots. Minor changes to the operational test conditions showed no significant impact on performance during the robustness testing.

Conclusion

The KangarooSci ACP is an effective method for aerobic plate count for all matrixes evaluated.

Highlights

The KangarooSci ACP allows for fast, reliable enumeration of aerobic bacteria. Utilizing the alternative method takes up less space in incubators, requires no sample spreader, and requires fewer consumables compared to the reference method.
Water alternative gas (WAG) optimization for a heterogeneous Brazilian pre-salt carbonate reservoir
Authors: Ali Elbaloula Husham A , de Oliveira Gonçalo Soares , Schiozer Denis J
Published: July 2023

Water alternating gas (WAG) is a cyclical process that involves alternating water and gas injections with the primary goal to improve sweep efficiency by maintaining initial high pressure, slowing water and gas breakthrough, and lowering oil viscosity. The objective of this work is to apply and optimize a WAG strategy on a carbonate field with light oil, compare it to the initially planned water-flooding strategy, and investigate the capability of WAG to improve field production. In this research, a compositional reservoir simulator was used to model a WAG process by injecting produced gas into the reservoir, using the same well structure as an optimized water-flooding strategy. Subsequently, a WAG strategy was created, optimizing the number and locations of wells, to facilitate a comparative analysis of the two recovery methods. The WAG optimization involved a detailed assessment of variables such as bottom hole pressure (BHP), WAG cycle duration, maximum gas oil ratio (GOR), and well positioning, to achieve a high net present value (NPV). The study focuses on the application of WAG optimization modeling in unconventional reservoirs, specifically pre-salt carbonate reservoirs, and investigates its implications on production strategy and forecast, emphasizing its potential for maximizing NPV and oil recovery in a recently producing field. The results showed that WAG improved reservoir performance when compared to water injection and produced a greater amount of oil. This solution showed potential to be tested under uncertainties (reservoir heterogeneity, faults, fractures, karsts, vugs, etc.) as future steps.
Equity illusions
Authors: Aran Yifat , Murciano-Goroff Raviv
Published: July 2023

Although equity-compensation grants for rank-and-file employees are common in startups and are considered an ingrained part of their business culture, little is known about how employees approach this form of compensation. We begin filling this gap by examining employees’ financial literacy regarding equity compensation and their willingness to forgo cash compensation for startup equity. Using a survey and a combination of natural language processing and machine learning techniques with conventional regression modeling, we find that employees commonly respond to economically irrelevant signals and misinterpret other important signals. The findings suggest that employees harbor a range of “market illusions” regarding startup equity that can lead to inefficiencies in the labor market, which sophisticated employers can legally exploit. The results raise questions about the protection of employees in their investor capacity in a market where highly sophisticated repeat players, such as venture capital investors, interact with unorganized and uninformed retail investors.
Guided Imagery and Music in the Treatment for Breast and Gynecologic Cancer: An RCT Pilot
Authors: Papanikolaou Evangelia , McKinney Cathy , Hannibal Niels , Tsouvelas George , Panoskaltsis Theodore , Karageorgopoulou Sofia
Published: July 2023

The primary aim of this randomized controlled trial pilot was to investigate the potential effectiveness of the music psychotherapy method, Guided Imagery and Music (GIM), to assist female patients who are undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast or gynecologic cancer. A secondary aim was to suggest performance improvements regarding the protocol and the resources required to undertake a future larger scale study. The researchers randomized participants (n = 20) into two groups: Intervention group (n = 10) and Control group (n = 10). The Intervention group received a series of six individual, short GIM sessions whereas the Control group received two verbal counseling sessions that took place at Week 1 and at Week 6 of treatment. All participants in the study completed the Profile of Mood States (POMS-Brief); Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS); and Herth Hope Index (HHI) before the beginning of Week 1 and again after Week 6 or, in the case of the Intervention group, after the last GIM session. All participants also completed two Visual Analogue Scales (VAS-Hope; VAS-Fatigue) weekly or after each session throughout the duration of the trial. The results of the Intervention group receiving GIM showed medium pre–post effect sizes for the CFS, HHI, and POMS questionnaires, and significant positive changes for the VAS-H and VAS-F questionnaires. As seen from this initial data outcome, a brief series of GIM sessions shows promise to be beneficial for increasing hope, decreasing fatigue, and mitigating distressed mood for female patients undergoing treatment for breast or gynecologic cancer.
Adverse Birth Experiences and Parent Adjustment Associated With Atypical Genital Appearance Due to Differences of Sex Development
Authors: Traino Katherine A , Fisher Rachel S , Basile Nathan L , Dattilo Taylor M , Baskin Laurence S , Buchanan Cindy L , Chan Yee-Ming , Cheng Earl Y , Coplen Douglas E , Kolon Thomas F , Lakshmanan Yegappan , Palmer Blake W , Mullins Larry L , Ciciolla Lucia M , Wisniewski Amy B
Published: July 2023

Objective

Differences/disorders of sex development (DSDs) are rare, congenital conditions involving discordance between chromosomes, gonads, and phenotypic sex and are often diagnosed in infancy. A key subset of parents of children newly diagnosed with a DSD experience clinically elevated distress. The present study examines the relationship between perinatal factors (i.e., gestational age, delivery method) and trajectories of parental adjustment.

Methods

Parent participants (mothers = 37; fathers = 27) completed measures at baseline, 6- and 12-month follow-up. Multilevel linear regression controlled for clustering of the data at three levels (i.e., time point, parent, and family) and examined the relationship between perinatal factors and trajectories of depressive and anxious symptoms. Two-way interactions between perinatal factors and parent type were evaluated.

Results

Overall depressive and anxious symptoms decreased over time. There were significant interactions between gestational age and parent type for depressive and anxious symptoms, with younger gestational age having a stronger negative effect on mothers vs. fathers. There was a significant interaction between time and gestational age for depressive symptoms, with 36 weeks’ gestational age demonstrating a higher overall trajectory of depressive symptoms across time compared to 38 and 40 weeks. Findings for the delivery method were not significant.

Conclusions

Findings uniquely demonstrated younger gestational age was associated with increased depressive symptoms, particularly for mothers compared to fathers. Thus, a more premature birth may predispose parents of infants with DSD to distress. Psychosocial providers should contextualize early diagnosis-related discussions within stressful birth experiences when providing support.
Pain-Related Stigma and Its Associations With Clinical and Experimental Pain Severity in Youth With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain Conditions
Authors: Boileau Nicholas R , Thompson-Phillips Kathryn A , Goodin Burel R , Lynch-Milder Mary K , Evans Corinne T , Adetayo Tolulope , Rudolph Arionna F , Stoll Matthew L , Weiser Peter , Fobian Aaron D , Gowey Marissa A , Wakefield Emily O
Published: July 2023

Objective

Many children with chronic musculoskeletal pain conditions experience stigma which can have negative downstream consequences. This study compares ratings of clinical pain (current pain intensity and pain interference), experimental pain (temporal summation, cold water tolerance, and cold pain intensity), and pain-related stigma among three groups of youth with rheumatic conditions. The relations among ratings of pain-related stigma and pain variables were explored.

Methods

Eighty-eight youth aged 8–17 years with a diagnosis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA = 32), juvenile fibromyalgia (JFM = 31), or non-specific chronic pain (NSCP = 25) completed measures of clinical pain ratings (average 7-day pain intensity, day of assessment pain (DoA), and pain interference), experimental pain (cold pain tolerance, cold pain intensity, and temporal summation of mechanical pain), and pain-related stigma. Data analysis compared pain-related stigma and pain ratings across the three groups and examined the relations among pain-related stigma and pain ratings.

Results

Youth with JFM reported higher ratings of clinical pain and pain-related stigma than their counterparts with NSCP or JIA. However, there were no differences in experimental pain. Pain-related stigma was associated with greater ratings of pain interference, particularly for those with JIA and NSCP. Pain-related stigma was also associated with greater average daily pain intensity but not DoA.

Conclusion

Youth with medically unexplained pain report greater stigma and worse pain than their peers; thus, robust assessment of pain in this population is necessary. Future work should longitudinally explore the impact of pain-related stigma on pain outcomes and treatment responses.