bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tau-typing: a Nextflow pipeline for finding the best phylogenetic markers in the genome for molecular typing of microbial species
Authors: Seabolt Matthew H , Boddapati Arun K , Forstedt Joshua J , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T
Published: July 2023

Tau-typing is an integrated analysis pipeline for identifying genes or genomic segments whose phylogenetic resolving power most closely resembles the genome-wide resolving power of an input collection of genomes using the Kendall Tau rank correlation statistic. The pipeline is implemented in Nextflow and uses Docker and Singularity containers to ensure reliable scalability and reproducibility of results. This pipeline is particularly suitable for organisms for which whole-genome sequencing remains unaffordable or unscalable for routine applications, such as protozoan parasites which are not amenable to laboratory culture-based methods.

Availability and implementation

Tau-typing is freely available at https://github.com/hseabolt/tautyping. The pipeline is implemented in Nextflow with Singularity support.
A novel approach to T-cell receptor beta chain (TCRB) repertoire encoding using lossless string compression
Authors: Konstantinovsky Thomas , Yaari Gur
Published: July 2023

Motivation

T-cell receptor beta chain (TCRB) repertoires are crucial for understanding immune responses. However, their high diversity and complexity present significant challenges in representation and analysis. The main motivation of this study is to develop a unified and compact representation of a TCRB repertoire that can efficiently capture its inherent complexity and diversity and allow for direct inference.

Results

We introduce a novel approach to TCRB repertoire encoding and analysis, leveraging the Lempel-Ziv 76 algorithm. This approach allows us to create a graph-like model, identify-specific sequence features, and produce a new encoding approach for an individual’s repertoire. The proposed representation enables various applications, including generation probability inference, informative feature vector derivation, sequence generation, a new measure for diversity estimation, and a new sequence centrality measure. The approach was applied to four large-scale public TCRB sequencing datasets, demonstrating its potential for a wide range of applications in big biological sequencing data.

Availability and implementation

Python package for implementation is available https://github.com/MuteJester/LZGraphs.
‘Stab, chase me, mate with me, seduce me’: how widespread is traumatic insemination in Strepsiptera?
Authors: Jandausch Kenny , van de Kamp Thomas , Beutel Rolf G , Niehuis Oliver , Pohl Hans
Published: July 2023

Traumatic insemination refers to mating in which males pierce the female’s integument with his penis for insemination. Strepsiptera are often listed as an example for this mode of copulation. However, while traumatic insemination in Mengenillidae with free-living females is undisputed, its occurrence in Stylopidia with permanent endoparasitic females – 97% of the known species of Strepsiptera – has remained unclear. Rather, observations from a single study on Xenos vesparum (Xenidae) that questioned traumatic insemination in this species became generalized for Stylopidia. Here we show that integration of data from various imaging methods provides convincing evidence for traumatic insemination being phylogenetically widespread in Strepsiptera. Specifically, we provide the first evidence of injury wounds from traumatic insemination in species of Mengenillidae, Corioxenidae, Elenchidae, Halictophagidae and Xenidae. Using three-dimensional models of copulating pairs of Stylops ovinae (Stylopidae) and X. vesparum, we visualize the physical piercing of the female’s integument by the male’s penis. Finally, we show in species of Mengenillidae, Xenidae and Stylopidae that traumatic mating is associated with the injection of sperm in the female’s haemocoel. Our results significantly alter the understanding of the reproductive biology of Strepsiptera and imply that traumatic insemination has been the ancestral mode of copulation and retained in most, if not all, extant families.
Sex differences in innate and adaptive immunity impact fetal, placental, and maternal health
Authors: Baines Kelly J , West Rachel C
Published: July 2023

The differences between males and females begin shortly after birth, continue throughout prenatal development, and eventually extend into childhood and adult life. Male embryos and fetuses prioritize proliferation and growth, often at the expense of the fetoplacental energy reserves. This singular focus on growth over adaptability leaves male fetuses and neonates vulnerable to adverse outcomes during pregnancy and birth and can have lasting impacts throughout life. Beyond this prioritization of growth, male placentas and fetuses also respond to infection and inflammation differently than female counterparts. Pregnancies carrying female fetuses have a more regulatory immune response, whereas pregnancies carrying male fetuses have a stronger inflammatory response. These differences can be seen as early as the innate immune response with differences in cytokine and chemokine signaling. The sexual dimorphism in immunity then continues into the adaptive immune response with differences in T-cell biology and antibody production and transfer. As it appears that these sex-specific differences are amplified in pathologic pregnancies, it stands to reason that differences in the placental, fetal, and maternal immune responses in pregnancy contribute to increased male perinatal morbidity and mortality. In this review, we will describe the genetic and hormonal contributions to the sexual dimorphism of fetal and placental immunity. We will also discuss current research efforts to describe the sex-specific differences of the maternal–fetal interface and how it impacts fetal and maternal health.
Active surveillance of oesophageal cancer after response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: dysphagia is uncommon
Authors: Valkema Maria J , Spaander Manon C W , Boonstra Jurjen J , van Dieren Jolanda M , Hazen Wouter L , Erkelens G Willemien , Holster I Lisanne , van der Linden Andries , van der Linde Klaas , Oostenbrug Liekele E , Quispel Rutger , Schoon Erik J , Siersema Peter D , Doukas Michail , Eyck Ben M , van der Wilk Berend J , van der Sluis Pieter C , Wijnhoven Bas P L , Lagarde Sjoerd M , van Lanschot J Jan B
Published: July 2023

Background

Active surveillance is being investigated as an alternative to standard surgery after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal cancer. It is unknown whether dysphagia persists or develops when the oesophagus is preserved after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and severity of dysphagia during active surveillance in patients with an ongoing response.

Methods

Patients who underwent active surveillance were identified from the Surgery As Needed for Oesophageal cancer (‘SANO’) trial. Patients without evidence of residual oesophageal cancer until at least 6 months after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were included. Study endpoints were assessed at time points that patients were cancer-free and remained cancer-free for the next 4 months. Dysphagia scores were evaluated at 6, 9, 12, and 16 months after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Scores were based on the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer oesophago-gastric quality-of-life questionnaire 25 (EORTC QLQ-OG25) (range 0–100; no to severe dysphagia). The rate of patients with a (non-)traversable stenosis was determined based on all available endoscopy reports.

Results

In total, 131 patients were included, of whom 93 (71.0 per cent) had adenocarcinoma, 93 (71.0 per cent) had a cT3–4a tumour, and 33 (25.2 per cent) had a tumour circumference of greater than 75 per cent at endoscopy; 60.8 to 71.0 per cent of patients completed questionnaires per time point after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. At all time points after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, median dysphagia scores were 0 (interquartile range 0–0). Two patients (1.5 per cent) underwent an intervention for a stenosis: one underwent successful endoscopic dilatation; and the other patient required temporary tube feeding. Notably, these patients did not participate in questionnaires.

Conclusion

Dysphagia and clinically relevant stenosis are uncommon during active surveillance.
Visual experience-dependent development of ocular dominance columns in pigmented rats
Authors: Zhou Qiuying , Li Hangqi , Yao Songping , Takahata Toru
Published: July 2023

Despite previous agreement of the absence of cortical column structure in the rodent visual cortex, we have recently revealed a presence of ocular dominance columns (ODCs) in the primary visual cortex (V1) of adult Long-Evans rats. In this study, we deepened understanding of characteristics of rat ODCs. We found that this structure was conserved in Brown Norway rats, but not in albino rats; therefore, it could be a structure generally present in pigmented wild rats. Activity-dependent gene expression indicated that maturation of eye-dominant patches takes more than 2 weeks after eye-opening, and this process is visual experience dependent. Monocular deprivation during classical critical period strongly influenced size of ODCs, shifting ocular dominance from the deprived eye to the opened eye. On the other hand, transneuronal anterograde tracer showed a presence of eye-dominant patchy innervation from the ipsilateral V1 even before eye-opening, suggesting the presence of visual activity-independent genetic components of developing ODCs. Pigmented C57BL/6J mice also showed minor clusters of ocular dominance neurons. These results provide insights into how visual experience-dependent and experience-independent components both contribute to develop cortical columns during early postnatal stages, and indicate that rats and mice can be excellent models to study them.
Function and biochemistry of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex during placebo analgesia: how the certainty of prior experiences shapes endogenous pain relief
Authors: Crawford Lewis S , Mills Emily P , Peek A , Macefield Vaughan G , Keay Kevin A , Henderson Luke A
Published: July 2023

Prior experiences, conditioning cues, and expectations of improvement are essential for placebo analgesia expression. The dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is considered a key region for converting these factors into placebo responses. Since dorsolateral prefrontal cortex neuromodulation can attenuate or amplify placebo, we sought to investigate dorsolateral prefrontal cortex biochemistry and function in 38 healthy individuals during placebo analgesia. After conditioning participants to expect pain relief from a placebo “lidocaine” cream, we collected baseline magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) at 7 Tesla over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. Following this, functional magnetic resonance imaging scans were collected during which identical noxious heat stimuli were delivered to the control and placebo-treated forearm sites. There was no significant difference in the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamate, Myo-inositol, or N-acetylaspartate at the level of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex between placebo responders and nonresponders. However, we identified a significant inverse relationship between the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and pain rating variability during conditioning. Moreover, we found placebo-related activation within the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and altered functional magnetic resonance imaging coupling between the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the midbrain periaqueductal gray, which also correlated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex glutamate. These data suggest that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex formulates stimulus–response relationships during conditioning, which are then translated to altered cortico-brainstem functional relationships and placebo analgesia expression.
Reliability and time-based efficiency of artificial intelligence-based automatic digital model analysis system
Authors: Yu Jae-Hun , Kim Ji-Hoi , Liu Jing , Mangal Utkarsh , Ahn Hee-Kap , Cha Jung-Yul
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To compare the reliability, reproducibility, and time-based efficiency of automatic digital (AD) and manual digital (MD) model analyses using intraoral scan models.

Material and methods

Two examiners analysed 26 intraoral scanner records using MD and AD methods for orthodontic modelling. Tooth size reproducibility was confirmed using a Bland–Altman plot. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was conducted to compare the model analysis parameters (tooth size, sum of 12-teeth, Bolton analysis, arch width, arch perimeter, arch length discrepancy, and overjet/overbite) for each method, including the time taken for model analysis.

Results

The MD group exhibited a relatively larger spread of 95% agreement limits when compared with AD group. The standard deviations of repeated tooth measurements were 0.15 mm (MD group) and 0.08 mm (AD group). The mean difference values of the 12-tooth (1.80–2.38 mm) and arch perimeter (1.42–3.23 mm) for AD group was significantly (P < 0.001) larger than that for the MD group. The arch width, Bolton, and overjet/overbite were clinically insignificant. The overall mean time required for the measurements was 8.62 min and 0.56 min for the MD and AD groups, respectively.

Limitations

Validation results may vary in different clinical cases because our evaluation was limited to mild-to-moderate crowding in the complete dentition.

Conclusions

Significant differences were observed between AD and MD groups. The AD method demonstrated reproducible analysis in a considerably reduced timeframe, along with a significant difference in measurements compared to the MD method. Therefore, AD analysis should not be interchanged with MD, and vice versa.
Heatwaves and their health risks: knowledge, risk perceptions and behaviours of the German population in summer 2022
Authors: Shamsrizi Parichehr , Jenny Mirjam Annina , Sprengholz Philipp , Geiger Mattis , Jäger Christopher Bruce , Betsch Cornelia
Published: July 2023

Heatwaves are becoming more common and impact health. We conducted a representative survey in June 2022 in Germany to determine people’s knowledge and protective behaviours on heat days. In data from 953 respondents, we found that a large proportion informed themselves about upcoming heat days, but there are considerable gaps in knowledge. While knowledge was not related to taking up protecting behaviour, other predictors were (e.g. risk perception). Health campaigns should therefore not only aim to improve knowledge but also address risk perceptions, facilitate social learning, communicate social norms and remove barriers that prevent protective behaviours.
Bees just wanna have fungi: a review of bee associations with nonpathogenic fungi
Authors: Rutkowski Danielle , Weston Makena , Vannette Rachel L
Published: July 2023

Bee–fungus associations are common, and while most studies focus on entomopathogens, emerging evidence suggests that bees associate with a variety of symbiotic fungi that can influence bee behavior and health. Here, we review nonpathogenic fungal taxa associated with different bee species and bee-related habitats. We synthesize results of studies examining fungal effects on bee behavior, development, survival, and fitness. We find that fungal communities differ across habitats, with some groups restricted mostly to flowers (Metschnikowia), while others are present almost exclusively in stored provisions (Zygosaccharomyces). Starmerella yeasts are found in multiple habitats in association with many bee species. Bee species differ widely in the abundance and identity of fungi hosted. Functional studies suggest that yeasts affect bee foraging, development, and pathogen interactions, though few bee and fungal taxa have been examined in this context. Rarely, fungi are obligately beneficial symbionts of bees, whereas most are facultative bee associates with unknown or ecologically contextual effects. Fungicides can reduce fungal abundance and alter fungal communities associated with bees, potentially disrupting bee–fungi associations. We recommend that future study focus on fungi associated with non-honeybee species and examine multiple bee life stages to document fungal composition, abundance, and mechanistic effects on bees.
Cost-effective In Vivo and In Vitro Mouse Models for Evaluating Anticryptosporidial Drug Efficacy: Assessing Vorinostat, Docetaxel, and Baicalein
Authors: Liu Mingxiao , Zhang Di , Wang Dongqiang , Wu Xiaodong , Zhang Ying , Yin Jigang , Zhu Guan
Published: July 2023

Background

Cryptosporidiosis is a significant diarrheal disease in humans and animals. Immunodeficient mice are the primary small animal models, but their high costs and specialized breeding/housing requirements limit in vivo drug testing. Numerous anticryptosporidial lead compounds identified in vitro remain untested in vivo.

Methods

Cryptosporidium tyzzeri, a natural mouse parasite closely related to Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis, was isolated to establish an infection model in immunocompetent mice. The model was validated using classic anticryptosporidial drugs (paromomycin and nitazoxanide) and then employed to assess the efficacy of 3 new leads (vorinostat, docetaxel, and baicalein). An in vitro culture of C. tyzzeri was also developed to complement the animal model.

Results

Chronic C. tyzzeri infection was established in chemically immunosuppressed wild-type mice. Paromomycin (1000 mg/kg/d) and nitazoxanide (100 mg/kg/d) demonstrated efficacy against C. tyzzeri. Vorinostat (30 mg/kg/d), docetaxel (25 mg/kg/d), and baicalein (50 mg/kg/d) were highly effective against C. tyzzeri infection. In vitro, nitazoxanide, vorinostat, docetaxel, and baicalein exhibited low to submicromolar efficacy against C. tyzzeri.

Conclusions

Novel in vivo and in vitro models have been developed for cost-effective anticryptosporidial drug testing. Vorinostat, docetaxel, and baicalein show potential for repurposing and/or optimization for developing new anticryptosporidial drugs.
Effects of permethrin on ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) in ornamental nurseries
Authors: Williamson Zia V , Blaauw Brett R , Joseph Shimat V
Published: July 2023

Exotic ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), such as Xylosandrus crassiusculus (Motschulsky), Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford), and Xylosandrus compactus (Eichoff) are serious pests in southeastern ornamental nurseries. Preventative pyrethroid trunk sprays effectively reduce boring damage. However, it is unclear how pyrethroids such as permethrin prevent attack. Thus, the objective was to determine how permethrin-treated bolts interact with invading ambrosia beetles. In 2022, a study with 2 independent trials was conducted in a nursery on red maple (Acer rubrum L.), bolts during March and April, respectively. The treatments were (i) nonbaited, nontreated bolt, (ii) ethanol baited bolt, (iii) nonbaited bolt + glue [painted on bolt], (iv) ethanol baited bolt + glue, (v) ethanol baited bolt + glue + permethrin, (vi) ethanol baited bolt + glue + permethrin + verbenone, and (vii) ethanol baited bolt + glue + verbenone. Ambrosia beetles trapped on glue, beetles which fell into the pail with soap solution under the bolts, and entry holes on bolts were quantified. Permethrin prevented beetle attacks but did not reduce the number of ambrosia beetles landing on the treated bolts. Verbenone reduced ambrosia beetles from landing on the bolts but did not prevent boring into bolts. The numbers of ambrosia beetles in soapy water were not significantly different among treatments. Ambrosia beetles are landing on permethrin-treated bolts but not boring into the bolts, implying that fresh permethrin residues may not be necessary for ambrosia beetle management.
(284) EXPECTATIONS AND GENETIC KNOWLEDGE WITHIN AUSTRIAN ANDROLOGIST: A NATIONWIDE SURVEY ANALYSIS. TRUTH OR ILLUSION?
Authors: Prof. Germar-Michael Pinggera , Dr. Yannic Kunz , Dr. Jana Wurzacher , Dr. Tatjana Heisinger , Dr. Markus Huebner , Prof. Wolfgang Horninger ,   On behalf and thanks to the assistance of the Austrian Andrological Working Group
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Recent advances in genetics are shedding light on previously unknown topics in male infertility in the last decade, thus gaining higher importance to these diagnostics. Meanwhile, therapeutic management become often determined by novel genetic/epigenetic findings, therefore, it is essential for practising andrologists to have an adequate knowledge armamentarium.

Methods

To assess individual genetic knowledge correlated to male infertility and doctors’ expectations we performed an anonymous online survey among Austrian Andrologists and compared these results to one global survey of experts in the field. All Austrian Andrological Working Group members were invited to fill in a short online questionnaire independently.

Results

The survey was viewed 67 times, 34 experts started it with a completion rate of 85.29% by 5 dropouts after starting. Average time to complete: 3,5 min.

Interviewed for the request for genetic investigations in infertile men with NOA/OAT syndrome, only 73.33 % responded with yes, whereas 13.33% no. Overall-Matrix-Scorecard (for maximal 5-score) rating about the importance of genetic investigations in such men is reported in Table 1.

Karyogram-analysis will be performed in 32,8%, AZF-microdeletion-mutations-investigations in 31,34% and CFTR-mutation in 22,39% for such men, even less the majority is believing that more sophisticated genetic investigations will help understand male infertility (probably and absolutely yes in 64% and 28%).

Regarding their own training in genetics, respondents are believing that they are adequately prepared in 26.67% and not at all in 23.23%; 6,67 % answered somehow, but interestingly 43.33% responded that it could definitively be better.

Conclusions

The online survey showed exemplary that there is obviously a desire for better knowledge of basic genetic knowledge for adequate therapy of male infertility Furthermore, the current practice is not guideline-oriented. Andrologist specialists appear not comfortable with their own medical education in human genetics. Finally, these national results are in line with the international survey.

Conflicts of Interest

None
Sheep serve as a reservoir of Trichophyton mentagrophytes genotype V infection
Authors: Nikkholgh Sivash , Pchelin Ivan M , Zarei Mahmoudabadi Ali , Shabanzadeh-Bardar Mahbubeh , Gharaghani Maral , Sharifzadeh Aghil , Mokhtari Hooyeh Mohammadreza , Mohammadi Rasoul , Nouripour-Sisakht Sadegh , Katiraee Farzad , Rezaei-Matehkolaei Ali
Published: July 2023

Human infections by Trichophyton mentagrophytes occur mainly due to contact with diseased animals. In Iran, T. mentagrophytes genotype V is the most prevalent variant of the fungus. We aimed to determine the animal reservoir of T. mentagrophytes genotype V infection. The study was done on a total of 577 dermatophyte strains obtained from animals with signs of dermatophytosis and human patients. The list of extensively sampled animals included sheep, cows, cats and dogs. For human cases, epidemiological data were collected. All dermatophyte isolates from animals along with 70 human isolates morphologically similar to T. verrucosum and T. mentagrophytes genotype V were identified by rDNA internal transcribed spacer region restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. A total of 334 animal dermatophyte strains were identified as Microsporum canis, T. mentagrophytes genotype V, T. verrucosum, Nannizzia gypsea, T. mentagrophytes genotype II*, T. mentagrophytes genotype VII, T. quinckeanum, and N. fulva. All clinical isolates identified as T. mentagrophytes genotype V originated from skin and scalp infections. Almost all veterinary isolates of T. mentagrophytes genotype V were cultured from sheep, but epidemiological data on animal-to-human transmission of T. mentagrophytes genotype V infection were limited and we found evidence in favor of interhuman transmission. In Iran, sheep maintain T. mentagrophytes genotype V population and therefore serve as animal reservoir of respective infections. The role of sheep as the source of human dermatophytosis due to T. mentagrophytes genotype V isolates is yet to be proven.
Carbonates and ices in the z = 0.89 galaxy-absorber towards PKS 1830–211 and within star-forming regions of the Milky Way
Authors: Bowey Janet E
Published: July 2023

A pair of 6.0 and 6.9 μm absorption features are frequently observed in Milky Way (MW) molecular-clouds and YSOs; they also occur in the z = 0.886 rest-frame of a molecule-rich spiral galaxy obscuring blazar PKS 1830–211. I calibrate χ2-fitting methods, which match observations with two or three laboratory spectra. The 6.0-μm component is dominated by H2O ice, as expected. Included MW sources were selected using opacity criteria which limit the range of explored H2O-ice column densities to 1.6–2.4 × 1018 molecules cm−2, while the H2O-ice density in the galaxy absorber is (2.7 ± 0.5) × 1018 molecules cm−2. CH3OH ice and / or small (< 0.1-μm-sized) Ca- and Mg-bearing carbonates contribute at 6.9 μm. The 41 per cent CH3OH:H2O molecular ratio in the PKS 1830–211 absorber is significantly higher than in the molecular cloud towards Taurus-Elias 16 (<7.5 per cent) and similar to the highest value in MW YSOs (35 per cent in AFGL 989). Fitted carbonate (-CO3):H2O ratios in the galaxy absorber of 0.091 per cent are low in comparison to most of the ratios detected in the MW sample (0.2 per cent–0.4 per cent; ∼0 per cent in AFGL 989). Inorganic carbonates could explain the increased oxygen depletion at the diffuse-medium-to-molecular-cloud transition, which Jones and Ysard associated with unobserved organic carbonates or materials with a C:O ratio of 1:3.
The halo mass function and filaments in full cosmological simulations with fuzzy dark matter
Authors: May Simon , Springel Volker
Published: July 2023

Fuzzy dark matter (FDM) is a dark matter candidate consisting of ultralight scalar particles with masses around $10^{-22}\, \mathrm{eV}/c^2$, a regime where cold bosonic matter behaves as a collective wave rather than individual particles. Although constraints on FDM are accumulating in many different contexts, very few have been verified by self-consistent numerical simulations. We present new large numerical simulations of cosmic structure formation with FDM, solving the full Schrödinger–Poisson (SP) equations using the AxiREPO code, which implements a pseudo-spectral numerical method. Combined with our previous simulations, they allow us to draw a four-way comparison of matter clustering, contrasting results (such as power spectra) for each combination of initial conditions (ICs; FDM versus cold dark matter, CDM) and dynamics (SP versus N-body). By disentangling the impact of ICs and non-linear dynamics in this manner, we can gauge the validity of approximate methods used in previous works, such as ordinary N-body simulations with an FDM initial power spectrum. Due to the comparatively large volume achieved in our FDM simulations, we are able to measure the FDM halo mass function from full wave simulations for the first time, and compare to previous results obtained using analytic or approximate approaches. We also investigate the density profiles of these filaments and compare to their ΛCDM counterparts.
Would Carnap Have Tolerated Modern Metaphysics?
Authors: Cohen Wouter A , Marschall Benjamin
Published: July 2023

AbstractIt is well known that Carnap, early in his philosophical career, took most of metaphysics to consist of meaningless pseudostatements. In contrast to this meaning-theoretic critique of metaphysics, we develop what we take to be Carnap’s later value-based critique. We argue that this later critique is forceful against several central contemporary metaphysical debates, its origin in the principle of tolerance notwithstanding.
The New Collapse Argument against Quantifier Variance
Authors: Sider Theodore
Published: July 2023

Quantifier variantists accept multiple alternative ontological languages in which quantifiers obey the usual inference rules despite having different meanings. But collapse arguments seem to show that these quantifiers would be provably equivalent to one another. Cian Dorr has pushed this discussion forward by formulating the collapse argument in terms of an algebra of meanings that are common amongst the languages. I attempt to show that quantifier variantists can respond. But an important distinction between types of quantifier variance emerges, between those in which quantifier meanings draw on a single objective backbone of “portions of reality,” and those (such as the type that is arguably associated with neo-Fregeanism) in which they do not.
Temporal trends in mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a Danish population-based matched cohort study
Authors: Soussi Bolette G , Duch Kirsten , Cordtz René L , Lindhardsen Jesper , Kristensen Salome , Bork Christian S , Linauskas Asta , Schmidt Erik B , Dreyer Lene
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To investigate the 5-year all-cause mortality in patients with RA compared with the general population.

Methods

This was a nationwide population-based matched cohort study. RA patients diagnosed between 1996 and the end of 2015 were identified using administrative heath registries and followed until the end of 2020 allowing 5 years of follow-up. Patients with incident RA were matched 1:5 on year of birth and sex with non-RA individuals from the Danish general population. Time-to-event analyses were performed using the pseudo-observation approach.

Results

Compared with matched controls in 1996–2000, the risk difference for RA patients ranged from 3.5% (95% CI 2.7%, 4.4%) in 1996–2000 to –1.6% (95% CI –2.3%, –1.0%) in 2011–15, and the relative risk from 1.3 (95% CI 1.2, 1.4) in 1996–2000 to 0.9 (95% CI 0.8, 0.9) in 2011–15. The age-adjusted 5-year cumulative incidence proportion of death for a 60-year-old RA patient decreased from 8.1% (95% CI 7.3%, 8.9%) when diagnosed in 1996–2000 to 2.9% (95% CI 2.3%, 3.5%) in 2011–15, and for matched controls from 4.6% (95% CI 4.2%, 4.9%) to 2.1% (95% CI 1.9%, 2.4%). Excess mortality persisted in women with RA throughout the study period, while the mortality risk for men with RA in 2011–15 was similar to their matched controls.

Conclusions

Enhanced improvement in mortality was found in RA patients compared with matched controls, but for sex-specific differences excess mortality was only persistent in women with RA.
Exploring radiographers’ perceptions and knowledge about patient lead shielding: a cross-sectional study in Greece and Cyprus
Authors: Stogiannos Nikolaos , Psimitis Aristotelis , Bougias Haralabos , Georgiadou Eleni , Leandrou Stephanos , Papavasileiou Periklis , Polycarpou Irene , Malamateniou Christina , McEntee Mark F
Published: July 2023

The present study aimed to explore radiographers’ knowledge, clinical practice and perceptions regarding the use of patient lead shielding in Greece and Cyprus. Qualitative data were analyzed using conceptual content analysis and through the classification of findings into themes and categories. A total of 216 valid responses were received. Most respondents reported not being aware of the patient shielding recommendations issued by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (67%) or the guidance issued by the British Institute of Radiology (69%). Shielding-related training was generally not provided by radiography departments (74%). Most of them (85%) reported that they need specific guidance on lead shielding practices. Also, 82% of the respondents said that lead shielding should continue to be used outside the pelvic area when imaging pregnant patients. Pediatric patients are the most common patient category to which lead shielding was applied. Significant gaps in relevant training have been identified among radiographers in Greece and Cyprus, highlighting the need for new protocols and provision of adequate training on lead shielding practices. Radiography departments should invest in appropriate shielding equipment and adequately train their staff.
Social Withdrawal, Loneliness, and Health in Schizophrenia: Psychological and Neural Mechanisms
Authors: Fulford Daniel , Holt Daphne J
Published: July 2023

Background and Hypothesis

Some of the most debilitating aspects of schizophrenia and other serious mental illnesses (SMI) are the impairments in social perception, motivation, and behavior that frequently accompany these conditions. These impairments may ultimately lead to chronic social disconnection (ie, social withdrawal, objective isolation, and perceived social isolation or loneliness), which may contribute to the poor cardiometabolic health and early mortality commonly observed in SMI. However, the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms underlying relationships between impairments in social perception and motivation and social isolation and loneliness in SMI remain incompletely understood.

Study Design

A narrative, selective review of studies on social withdrawal, isolation, loneliness, and health in SMI.

Study Results

We describe some of what is known and hypothesized about the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of social disconnection in the general population, and how these mechanisms may contribute to social isolation and loneliness, and their consequences, in individuals with SMI.

Conclusions

A synthesis of evolutionary and cognitive theories with the “social homeostasis” model of social isolation and loneliness represents one testable framework for understanding the dynamic cognitive and biological correlates, as well as the health consequences, of social disconnection in SMI. The development of such an understanding may provide the basis for novel approaches for preventing or treating both functional disability and poor physical health that diminish the quality and length of life for many individuals with these conditions.
The Changes in Metabolites, Quality Components, and Antioxidant Activity of Tea (Camellia sinensis) Infected with Exobasidium vexans by Applying UPLC-MS/MS-Based Widely Targeted Metabolome and Biochemical Analysis
Authors: Zhou Xiaolu , Hu Liuhong , Hoang Nguyen Huy , Thanh Toan Le , Zhou Caibi , Mei Xin , Buensanteai Kumrai
Published: July 2023

Blister blight infection with Exobasidium vexans is one of the most destructive foliar diseases that seriously affect the quality and yield of tea. This research investigated the metabolite changes of healthy and infected leaves on tea cultivar ‘Fuding Dabaicha’ and further explored the potential antimicrobial substances against E. vexans infection. In total, 1,166 compounds were identified during the entire course of an infection, among which 73 different common compounds were significantly accumulated involved in the important antimicrobial substances of flavonoids and phenolic acids, including kaempferol (3,5,7,4′-tetrahydroxyflavone), kaempferol-3- O-sophoroside-7- O-glucoside, phloretin, 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzoic acid, galloylprocyanidin B4, and procyanidin C1 3′- O-gallate, which indicated that these metabolites might positively dominate resistance to E. vexans. Furthermore, relevant biological pathways, such as the flavone and flavonol biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, and phenylpropane pathways, were more closely related to resistance to E. vexans. Additionally, total flavonoids, phenolics, alkaloids, and terpenoids contributing to antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity were significantly altered during four different infection periods, especially the Leaf_S2 stage (the second stage of infection), in which the most concentration accumulated. The leaves affected by E. vexans infection at the second stage had the relatively highest antioxidant activity. Accordingly, this study provides a theoretical support for and comprehensive insights into the effects on the metabolite changes, tea quality components, and antioxidant activity of blister blight caused by E. vexans.
Exploring Nurse Practitioner Students’ Perceptions of a Sleep e-Learning Program
Authors: Watach Alexa J. , McPhillips Miranda V. , Saconi Bruno , Lang-Gallagher Rebecca , Lyons M. Melanie , Renz Susan M. , Rosen Ilene M. , Sawyer Amy M.
Published: July 2023

AIM

The aim of this study was to explore nurse practitioner (NP) students’ perceptions of a sleep e-learning program.

BACKGROUND

Sleep assessment is uncommon as nursing curricula lack sleep education. By preparing NPs to conduct sleep assessment and screening and understand basic sleep diagnostics, sleep health is more likely to be part of the differential diagnosis.

METHOD

The study is a qualitative descriptive study utilizing two focus groups. A directed content analysis, guided by the Kirkpatrick model, was used for analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-four students participated in focus groups. Two overarching themes emerged: perceptions of course design and content. Asynchronous, case-based scenarios and quizzes were favorable. Students spoke of content relevance to themselves and patients and intentions to adopt sleep assessment practices.

CONCLUSION

NP students embraced sleep education and declared intention to apply learned skills in practice. This study highlights the feasibility of increasing curricular exposure to sleep education and ensuring NPs have skills to recognize implications of poor and disordered sleep in patients.
Pregnancy-Associated Stroke and Outcomes Related to Timing and Hypertensive Disorders
Authors: Bitar Ghamar , Sibai Baha M. , Chen Han-Yang , Neff Natalie , Blackwell Sean , Chauhan Suneet P. , Bartal Michal Fishel
Published: July 2023

OBJECTIVE:

To estimate temporal trends of stroke in the peripartum period and to assess the relationship between stroke and maternal adverse outcomes vis-à-vis timing and hypertension.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional study using the National Inpatient Sample to identify hospitalizations with pregnancy-associated stroke in the United States (2016–2019). Temporal trends in pregnancy-associated stroke were examined according to timing of stroke (antepartum vs postpartum) and both prepregnancy and pregnancy hypertensive disorders (yes vs no). Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to examine the association among maternal adverse outcomes, timing of stroke, and hypertensive disorders.

RESULTS:

Among 15,977,644 pregnancy hospitalizations, 6,100 hospitalizations (38.2/100,000 hospitalizations) were with pregnancy-associated stroke. Of these, 3,635 (59.6%) had antepartum pregnancy-associated stroke and 2,465 (40.4%) had postpartum pregnancy-associated stroke; alternatively, 2,640 (43.3%) had hypertensive disorders, and 3,460 (56.7%) were without hypertensive disorders. From 2016 to 2019, the overall rate of pregnancy-associated stroke (37.5 to 40.8/100,000 pregnancy hospitalizations, P=.028), rate of postpartum pregnancy-associated stroke (14.6 to 17.6/100,000 pregnancy hospitalizations, P=.005), and rate of pregnancy-associated stroke with hypertensive disorders (14.9 to 17.2/100,000 pregnancy hospitalizations, P=.013) increased. Antepartum pregnancy-associated stroke and pregnancy-associated stroke without hypertensive disorders, however, remained stable. Despite higher risk of maternal morbidity in postpartum stroke hospitalizations, including mechanical ventilation and pneumonia, there was no significant difference in in-hospital mortality between antepartum and postpartum stroke. Similarly, between pregnancy-associated stroke with hypertensive disorders and stroke without hypertensive disorders, an increased risk of mechanical ventilation, seizure, and prolonged hospital stay was seen for stroke with hypertensive disorders without an increase in mortality.

CONCLUSION:

A nationally representative sample of hospitalizations in the United States indicates an increasing trend in the rate of postpartum stroke. Almost half of hospitalizations with pregnancy-associated stroke have concomitant hypertensive disorders. Risk of adverse outcomes, but not mortality, is elevated in patients with stroke occurring in the postpartum period and stroke associated with hypertensive disorders.
Role of Maternal Age in Increasing Severe Maternal Morbidity Rates in the United States
Authors: Berger Blair O. , Jeffers Noelene K. , Wolfson Carrie , Gemmill Alison
Published: July 2023

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate a commonly proposed explanation for increasing rates of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in the United States: shifts in the birthing population to older maternal ages, a known risk factor for SMM.

METHODS:

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis comparing delivery hospitalizations from two time points (2008–2009 to 2017–2018) using hospital discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample. We used demographic decomposition techniques to evaluate whether increasing rates of SMM and nontransfusion SMM were explained by population-level increases in maternal age or changes in age-specific rates. Analyses were stratified by race and ethnicity.

RESULTS:

Rates of SMM and nontransfusion SMM significantly increased in the United States between 2008 and 2018 from 135.6 to 170.5 and 58.8 to 67.9 per 10,000 delivery hospitalizations, respectively, with increases observed for nearly all racial and ethnic groups. Over this same period, the proportion of births to people younger than age 25 years decreased and births to people of advanced maternal age (35 years and older) increased, with the largest increases occurring among people identified as non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaskan Native (9.8–13.0%), non-Hispanic Black (10.7–14.4%), and Hispanic (12.1–17.1%). Decomposition analyses indicated that the changing maternal age distribution had little effect on SMM trends. Rather, increases in SMM and nontransfusion SMM were primarily driven by increases in age-specific SMM rates, including rising rates among younger people. Contributions of maternal age shifts were minimal for all racial and ethnic groups except among non-Hispanic Black people, for which 17–34% of the rise in SMM was due to increasing maternal age.

CONCLUSION:

Except among certain racial groups, increases in U.S. population-level SMM rates over the past decade were due to increases in age-specific rates rather than shifts to older maternal age among the birthing population. Increasing SMM rates across the maternal age spectrum could indicate worsening prepregnancy health status of the birthing population.
Association Between Adult-Onset Hearing Loss and Income: A Systematic Review
Authors: Mossman Audrey , DeMario Virgil K. , Price Carrie , Seal Stella M. , Willink Amber , Reed Nicholas S. , Nieman Carrie L.
Published: July 2023

Introduction:

Hearing loss has been shown to be associated with both negative health outcomes and low socioeconomic position, including lower income. Despite this, a thorough review of the existing literature on this relationship has not yet been performed.

Objectives:

To evaluate available literature on the possible association between income and adult-onset hearing loss.

Design:

A search was conducted in eight databases for all relevant literature using terms focused on hearing loss and income. Studies reporting the presence or absence of an association between income and hearing loss, full-text English-language access, and a predominantly adult population (≥18 years old) were eligible. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale was used to assess risk of bias.

Results:

The initial literature search yielded 2994 references with three additional sources added through citation searching. After duplicate removal, 2355 articles underwent title and abstract screening. This yielded 161 articles eligible for full-text review resulting in 46 articles that were included in qualitative synthesis. Of the included studies, 41 of 46 articles found an association between income and adult-onset hearing loss. Due to heterogeneity among study designs, a meta-analysis was not performed.

Conclusions:

The available literature consistently supports an association between income and adult-onset hearing loss but is limited entirely to cross-sectional studies with the directionality remaining unknown. An aging population and the negative health outcomes associated with hearing loss, emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing the role of social determinants of health in the prevention and management of hearing loss.
Predictors of Susceptibility to Noise and Speech Masking Among School-Age Children With Hearing Loss or Typical Hearing
Authors: Lalonde Kaylah , Walker Elizabeth A. , Leibold Lori J. , McCreery Ryan W.
Published: July 2023

Objectives:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of masker type and hearing group on the relationship between school-age children’s speech recognition and age, vocabulary, working memory, and selective attention. This study also explored effects of masker type and hearing group on the time course of maturation of masked speech recognition.

Design:

Participants included 31 children with normal hearing (CNH) and 41 children with mild to severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (CHL), between 6.7 and 13 years of age. Children with hearing aids used their personal hearing aids throughout testing. Audiometric thresholds and standardized measures of vocabulary, working memory, and selective attention were obtained from each child, along with masked sentence recognition thresholds in a steady state, speech-spectrum noise (SSN) and in a two-talker speech masker (TTS). Aided audibility through children’s hearing aids was calculated based on the Speech Intelligibility Index (SII) for all children wearing hearing aids. Linear mixed effects models were used to examine the contribution of group, age, vocabulary, working memory, and attention to individual differences in speech recognition thresholds in each masker. Additional models were constructed to examine the role of aided audibility on masked speech recognition in CHL. Finally, to explore the time course of maturation of masked speech perception, linear mixed effects models were used to examine interactions between age, masker type, and hearing group as predictors of masked speech recognition.

Results:

Children’s thresholds were higher in TTS than in SSN. There was no interaction of hearing group and masker type. CHL had higher thresholds than CNH in both maskers. In both hearing groups and masker types, children with better vocabularies had lower thresholds. An interaction of hearing group and attention was observed only in the TTS. Among CNH, attention predicted thresholds in TTS. Among CHL, vocabulary and aided audibility predicted thresholds in TTS. In both maskers, thresholds decreased as a function of age at a similar rate in CNH and CHL.

Conclusions:

The factors contributing to individual differences in speech recognition differed as a function of masker type. In TTS, the factors contributing to individual difference in speech recognition further differed as a function of hearing group. Whereas attention predicted variance for CNH in TTS, vocabulary and aided audibility predicted variance in CHL. CHL required a more favorable signal to noise ratio (SNR) to recognize speech in TTS than in SSN (mean = +1 dB in TTS, −3 dB in SSN). We posit that failures in auditory stream segregation limit the extent to which CHL can recognize speech in a speech masker. Larger sample sizes or longitudinal data are needed to characterize the time course of maturation of masked speech perception in CHL.