bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
B - 91 Characterizing Memory Profiles of Movement Disorders: the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) Recognition Subtests
Authors: Hua Michelle , Cedeño K Brianalysse Nicolena , Kline Julia , Seenaraine Elizabeth , Cation Bailey , Schoenberg Michael R
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study explores the utility of novel recognition memory composites integrating recently developed recognition subtests from the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS; Duff et al., 2021) in characterizing memory profiles across Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Normal Cognitive Study (NCS) groups in patients with movement disorders.

Methods

Twenty patients with movement disorders (M = 69.4 years, SD = 6.3) were administered the RBANS including additional Story and Figure Recognition subtests as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation at an academic medical center. Samples were stratified by MCI (n = 15) and NCS (n = 5) groups based on clinician diagnoses. Z-score based composites were created for individual recognition measures (total, hits, false positives, and discriminability indices, d’) and “Total Delayed Recall” memory composites across list, story, and figure subtests.

Results

Mann–Whitney U test analyses revealed significant differences between MCI and NCS groups on Story recognition d’ performance, U = 9.50, p = <0.05. Within the MCI group, a paired samples t-test revealed significantly worse performance on recognition d’ compared to “Total Delayed Recall” (M = 1.63, SD = 2.22); t(14) = 2.84, p = <0.05.

Conclusions

Greater impairment in recognition discriminability compared to delayed recall suggests the involvement of memory processes that extend beyond retrieval deficits typically observed in movement disorders characterized by subcortical/frontosubcortical profiles. Further investigations are warranted in establishing implications of recognition memory composites in differentiating among MCI subtypes and neurodegenerative disease progression within movement disorder populations, as findings may have been influenced by unequal variances between groups.
B - 97 On the Rebound: Resilience and Subjective Cognitive Concerns in Cancer
Authors: Zarrella Giuliana V , Parsons Michael W , Hall Daniel L , Park Elyse R , Keeley Jared W , Rybarczky Bruce , Braun Sarah
Published: September 2024

Objective

There is a connection between resilience and subjective cognitive symptoms in medical populations. However, there is limited understanding of this relationship in cancer survivors, and no studies examine whether subjective cognition may change from pre- to post-resilience training in these patients. This study examined the relationship between subjective cognitive function and resilience in non-CNS cancer survivors who participated in a resiliency training intervention and investigated potential influences of change in subjective cognition.

Method

Adult cancer survivors at Massachusetts General Hospital (N = 275, Mage = 55.2, 87.3% female) participated in the Stress Management and Resilience Training-Relaxation Response Resilience Program (SMART-3RP) and completed self-report measures assessing subjective cognitive function, resilience, depression, and worry at pre-post the group intervention. Cross-sectional relationships were evaluated using hierarchical regression modeling. Repeated measures ANCOVA assessed differences in subjective cognition from pre-post, controlling for age and time since diagnosis. Mediation modeling assessed whether mental health symptoms change alongside subjective cognition and account for the relationship with resilience.

Results

Results revealed a significant relationship between subjective cognitive function and resilience at baseline (β = 0.35, p < 0.001) and a significant change post-SMART-3RP (F(1, 77) = 6.09, p = 0.016). Patients experienced a decrease in cognitive concerns while making gains in resilience (β = 0.39, p < 0.001). Changes in depression and anxiety did not mediate the relationship between resilience and subjective cognitive function (p’s > 0.05).

Conclusion

It may be possible to refer survivors to programs, such as the SMART-3RP, to manage their subjective concerns, in the absence of objective cognitive deficits.
B - 106 Exploring the Impact of Screentime Use on Children’s Development at Aged 2 to 12: a Systematic Review
Authors: Medina Kimberly M , Martínez Karla , Muñiz Ruth Y , Ocasio Idanara T
Published: September 2024

Objective

Children’s use of digital media and the internet has become part of their daily lives, thus increasing their average screentime (ST). Research warns about the impact of excessive ST on children’s development. This study aimed to identify the impact of ST on the development of children between the ages of 2 and 12.

Data Selection

A systematic review was conducted to gather and identify the impact of excessive ST (more than two hours a day) in children aged 2 to 12. The search was limited to the databases APA PsyInfo, PubMed, COBIMET, and Google Scholar. The studies considered were published in English and Spanish between 2019 and 2023. The search terms used included “screentime,” “digital media”, “children,” “smartphones,” “tablets,” and “development.” After review, a sample of nine studies was selected for analysis, considering their publication, sample, and main findings. The quality assessment was carried out using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist for Quasi-Experimental/Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies (Tufanaru, et al., 2020).

Data Synthesis

This systematic review identified that excessive ST negatively affects children’s development.

Conclusions

This study’s findings underscore the importance of limiting ST to less than two hours a day due to the potential for cognitive and motor skills impairment and socio-emotional dysregulation. Professionals should strive to educate parents on better practices for the appropriate use of digital screens in children from ages 2 to 12. Public policy should raise awareness, create programs, and establish policies that regulate advertising aimed at children on smart devices, as this could increase ST.
B - 119 Comparing the Keystrokes (Ks) Test, an Online Assessment of Attention, Processing Speed, and Executive Functioning, with Established Neuropsychological Measures
Authors: Lopez Michael , Fulton John , Stuart Elizabeth , Kim Sahra , Hussey-Zommers Megan , Thomas Aaron , Kapoor Arunima , Conrad Alexis , Kristinsson Hayley , Chen Patrick
Published: September 2024

Objective

Despite technological advances, few accessible computerized neuropsychological measures exist. The KeyStrokes (KS) test was developed to provide an online assessment of simple attention, processing speed, and executive functioning.

Methods

25 participants from a mixed clinical sample of patients (M age = 52.6, SD = 15.7; 72% females) completed the KS test, which includes six conditions: two response time trials, three inhibition trials, and one inhibition/switching trial. Participants also completed the following: WAIS-IV digit span, symbol search, coding, matrix reasoning, reliable digit span, the Reynolds Interference Task (RIT), the Trail Making Test part A (TMT-A) and part B (TMT-B), the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT), and the BDI-II and BAI.

Results

The internal consistency of the KS was excellent, α = 0.958. Correlations computed for the six subtests were all positive, strong (all above r > 0.68), and significant (p < 0.001). Higher scores on all KS subtests were associated with higher scores of each of the WAIS-IV subtests and on the RIT (p < 0.05). Negative correlations were seen for TMT-A and TMT-B, as well as the GPT and all KS subtests (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analyses demonstrated that age significantly predicted performance (p < 0.001), while education did not.

Conclusion

These findings show strong convergent and discriminant validity with established measures. Based on our results, the KS appears to be a viable option for a new assessment particularly with the strong correlation data between the KS and multiple well-established neuropsychological tests.
B - 121 Feasibility of a Remote Neuropsychological Protocol in a Cohort Based Epidemiological Study: the Framingham Heart Study
Authors: Gurnani Ashita , Muller Emma , Walsh Lindsey , Devine Sherral , Sunderaraman Preeti , Gifford Katherine , Tao Qiushan , Liu Yulin , Ang Ting Fang Alvin , Mez Jesse , Au Rhoda
Published: September 2024

Objective

Research demonstrates adequate consistency between in-person and tele-np assessments with the latter typically omitting visually based measures and limiting capture of process-oriented scores. This study presents a novel tele-np protocol designed at the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) allowing for capture of visual and Boston Process Approach (BPA) data.

Methods

Beginning in 2021, FHS participants completed a tele-np protocol via HIPAA-compliant Zoom that includes tests similar to those administered in-person assessing all cognitive domains including visual memory and visuospatial functioning. Records forms, digital pen for BPA capture, and a label for return of materials, were mailed to participants. Regression models were used to compare in-person and tele-np results.

Results

The tele-np protocol consisting of 15 tests was administered to 169 participants across 30 states and three countries. Participants were 71.8 years on average (SD = 9.98), well-educated (84.6% ≥ college-educated), Caucasian (86.4%), and 53% male. Mean completion time of the tele-np protocol is 77.7 minutes (SD = 13.2). 76% of participants were deemed to be cognitively intact and 24% cognitively impaired based on their tele-np and previous in-person data. With the exception of a test of processing speed (β = −5.24 [−7.58,-2.89], p < 0.001), raw scores across most tests did not significantly differ based on mode of administration (tele-np vs. in-person) after adjusting for age, sex, education, and years between in-person and tele-np evaluations.

Conclusion

Preliminary findings indicate that the current tele-np protocol yields reliable results. Tele-np offers a cost-effective approach to improve accessibility and retention of participants, especially those out of state who may have otherwise been excluded from data collection.
B - 133 Validation of the PCL-5 Extreme Symptom Scale Embedded Symptom Validity Index in aCross-Cultural Forensic Sample
Authors: Snodgrass Makenna , Schroeder Ryan , Spector Jack , Bieu Rachel
Published: September 2024

Objective

Embedded symptom validity indices have recently been developed for the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). One of these, the PCL-5 Extreme Symptom (PES) scale is derived by summing extreme responses on the PCL-5 (i.e., endorsed scores of 3 or 4). Preliminary findings support its effectiveness within a clinical sample. In the current study, we aimed to cross-validate the scale with a cross-cultural forensic sample.

Method

Macedonian and Kosovar contractors (N = 79) who were previously employed at military bases in Afghanistan and Iraq were evaluated between 2018 and 2023. These individuals underwent defense psychological examinations related to a pursuit of federal workers compensation claims for PTSD. Evaluations were performed with translated instruments and assistance from certified interpreters. There were two sets of analyses performed in the current study. Examinees were first determined to be valid or invalid responders based on their Trauma Symptom Inventory-II Atypical Response Scale (ATR) scores. For the second set of analyses, validity status was determined using a more conservative criterion of failing 2+ validity tests.

Results

Using receiver operating characteristic analyses, the area under the curve was found to be acceptable (0.73) for both sets of analyses. When invalidity was categorized with the ATR, a PES cutoff of 18 resulted in 100% specificity and 15% sensitivity. When invalidity was defined by failure of 2+ validity tests, the PES cutoff was able to be adjusted to 17 resulting in 90% specificity and 26% sensitivity.

Conclusion

Results of the current study cross-validate the PES with a cross-cultural forensic sample.
scHyper: reconstructing cell–cell communication through hypergraph neural networks
Authors: Li Wenying , Wang Haiyun , Zhao Jianping , Xia Junfeng , Sun Xiaoqiang
Published: September 2024

Cell–cell communications is crucial for the regulation of cellular life and the establishment of cellular relationships. Most approaches of inferring intercellular communications from single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data lack a comprehensive global network view of multilayered communications. In this context, we propose scHyper, a new method that can infer intercellular communications from a global network perspective and identify the potential impact of all cells, ligand, and receptor expression on the communication score. scHyper designed a new way to represent tripartite relationships, by extracting a heterogeneous hypergraph that includes the source (ligand expression), the target (receptor expression), and the relevant ligand–receptor (L-R) pairs. scHyper is based on hypergraph representation learning, which measures the degree of match between the intrinsic attributes (static embeddings) of nodes and their observed behaviors (dynamic embeddings) in the context (hyperedges), quantifies the probability of forming hyperedges, and thus reconstructs the cell–cell communication score. Additionally, to effectively mine the key mechanisms of signal transmission, we collect a rich dataset of multisubunit complex L-R pairs and propose a nonparametric test to determine significant intercellular communications. Comparing with other tools indicates that scHyper exhibits superior performance and functionality. Experimental results on the human tumor microenvironment and immune cells demonstrate that scHyper offers reliable and unique capabilities for analyzing intercellular communication networks. Therefore, we introduced an effective strategy that can build high-order interaction patterns, surpassing the limitations of most methods that can only handle low-order interactions, thus more accurately interpreting the complexity of intercellular communications.
Deep learning approaches for non-coding genetic variant effect prediction: current progress and future prospects
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Li Fuyi , Zhang Yiwen , Imoto Seiya , Shen Hsin-Hui , Li Shanshan , Guo Yuming , Yang Jian , Song Jiangning
Published: September 2024

Recent advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies have significantly enhanced our ability to unravel the intricacies of gene regulatory processes. A critical challenge in this endeavor is the identification of variant effects, a key factor in comprehending the mechanisms underlying gene regulation. Non-coding variants, constituting over 90% of all variants, have garnered increasing attention in recent years. The exploration of gene variant impacts and regulatory mechanisms has spurred the development of various deep learning approaches, providing new insights into the global regulatory landscape through the analysis of extensive genetic data. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the development of the non-coding variants models based on bulk and single-cell sequencing data and their model-based interpretation and downstream tasks. This review delineates the popular sequencing technologies for epigenetic profiling and deep learning approaches for discerning the effects of non-coding variants. Additionally, we summarize the limitations of current approaches in variant effect prediction research and outline opportunities for improvement. We anticipate that our study will offer a practical and useful guide for the bioinformatic community to further advance the unraveling of genetic variant effects.
STRING-ing together protein complexes: corpus and methods for extracting physical protein interactions from the biomedical literature
Authors: Mehryary Farrokh , Nastou Katerina , Ohta Tomoko , Jensen Lars Juhl , Pyysalo Sampo
Published: September 2024

Motivation

Understanding biological processes relies heavily on curated knowledge of physical interactions between proteins. Yet, a notable gap remains between the information stored in databases of curated knowledge and the plethora of interactions documented in the scientific literature.

Results

To bridge this gap, we introduce ComplexTome, a manually annotated corpus designed to facilitate the development of text-mining methods for the extraction of complex formation relationships among biomedical entities targeting the downstream semantics of the physical interaction subnetwork of the STRING database. This corpus comprises 1287 documents with ∼3500 relationships. We train a novel relation extraction model on this corpus and find that it can highly reliably identify physical protein interactions (F1-score = 82.8%). We additionally enhance the model’s capabilities through unsupervised trigger word detection and apply it to extract relations and trigger words for these relations from all open publications in the domain literature. This information has been fully integrated into the latest version of the STRING database.

Availability and implementation

We provide the corpus, code, and all results produced by the large-scale runs of our systems biomedical on literature via Zenodo https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8139716, Github https://github.com/farmeh/ComplexTome_extraction, and the latest version of STRING database https://string-db.org/.
Chemical reaction enhanced graph learning for molecule representation
Authors: Li Anchen , Casiraghi Elena , Rousu Juho
Published: September 2024

Motivation

Molecular representation learning (MRL) models molecules with low-dimensional vectors to support biological and chemical applications. Current methods primarily rely on intrinsic molecular information to learn molecular representations, but they often overlook effectively integrating domain knowledge into MRL.

Results

In this article, we develop a reaction-enhanced graph learning (RXGL) framework for MRL, utilizing chemical reactions as domain knowledge. RXGL introduces dual graph learning modules to model molecule representation. One module employs graph convolutions on molecular graphs to capture molecule structures. The other module constructs a reaction-aware graph from chemical reactions and designs a novel graph attention network on this graph to integrate reaction-level relations into molecular modeling. To refine molecule representations, we design a reaction-based relation learning task, which considers the relations between the reactant and product sides in reactions. In addition, we introduce a cross-view contrastive task to strengthen the cooperative associations between molecular and reaction-aware graph learning. Experiment results show that our RXGL achieves strong performance in various downstream tasks, including product prediction, reaction classification, and molecular property prediction.

Availability and implementation

The code is publicly available at https://github.com/coder-ACAC/RLM.
Scientific collaborative within-group conduct, data-sharing, and publication agreements
Authors: Dodds Walter K
Published: September 2024

As science becomes ever more collaborative, the mechanisms for working in large and more diverse groups become more necessary. In the present article, I explore the utility of within-group collaboration agreements on participant conduct toward other project participants, within-group data sharing, and authorship of published manuscripts for research groups. Such agreements can solidify the expectations of the interactions among collaborators, potential rewards, and a feeling of security for those involved in the projects. They could also lead to more productive and satisfying research, as well as improving the training of future scientists.
A microRNA diagnostic biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Banack Sandra Anne , Dunlop Rachael A , Mehta Paul , Mitsumoto Hiroshi , Wood Stewart P , Han Moon , Cox Paul Alan
Published: September 2024

Blood-based diagnostic biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis will improve patient outcomes and positively impact novel drug development. Critical to the development of such biomarkers is robust method validation, optimization and replication with adequate sample sizes and neurological disease comparative blood samples. We sought to test an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis biomarker derived from diverse samples to determine if it is disease specific. Extracellular vesicles were extracted from blood plasma obtained from individuals diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, primary lateral sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and healthy controls. Immunoaffinity purification was used to create a neural-enriched extracellular vesicle fraction. MicroRNAs were measured across sample cohorts using real-time polymerase chain reaction. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to assess differences in plasma microRNAs followed by post hoc Mann–Whitney tests to compare disease groups. Diagnostic accuracy was determined using a machine learning algorithm and a logistic regression model. We identified an eight-microRNA diagnostic signature for blood samples from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with high sensitivity and specificity and an area under the curve calculation of 98% with clear statistical separation from neurological controls. The eight identified microRNAs represent disease-related biological processes consistent with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The direction and magnitude of gene fold regulation are consistent across four separate patient cohorts with real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses conducted in two laboratories from diverse samples and sample collection procedures. We propose that this diagnostic signature could be an aid to neurologists to supplement current clinical metrics used to diagnose amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Receptive-field nonlinearities in primary auditory cortex: a comparative perspective
Authors: Homma Natsumi Y , See Jermyn Z , Atencio Craig A , Hu Congcong , Downer Joshua D , Beitel Ralph E , Cheung Steven W , Najafabadi Mina Sadeghi , Olsen Timothy , Bigelow James , Hasenstaub Andrea R , Malone Brian J , Schreiner Christoph E
Published: September 2024

Cortical processing of auditory information can be affected by interspecies differences as well as brain states. Here we compare multifeature spectro-temporal receptive fields (STRFs) and associated input/output functions or nonlinearities (NLs) of neurons in primary auditory cortex (AC) of four mammalian species. Single-unit recordings were performed in awake animals (female squirrel monkeys, female, and male mice) and anesthetized animals (female squirrel monkeys, rats, and cats). Neuronal responses were modeled as consisting of two STRFs and their associated NLs. The NLs for the STRF with the highest information content show a broad distribution between linear and quadratic forms. In awake animals, we find a higher percentage of quadratic-like NLs as opposed to more linear NLs in anesthetized animals. Moderate sex differences of the shape of NLs were observed between male and female unanesthetized mice. This indicates that the core AC possesses a rich variety of potential computations, particularly in awake animals, suggesting that multiple computational algorithms are at play to enable the auditory system’s robust recognition of auditory events.
Abnormal circadian rhythms exacerbate dilated cardiomyopathy by reducing the ventricular mechanical strength
Authors: Jia Hao , Cui Hao , Zhao Zijie , Mo Han , Zhang Ningning , Zhang Yu , Huang Siyuan , Zhang Yue , Xu Mengda , Han Lei , Chen Yulin , Chang Yuan , Hua Xiumeng , Shentu Zhibo , Xia Tie , Chen Xiao , Song Jiangping
Published: September 2024

Aims

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has etiological and pathophysiological heterogeneity. Abnormal circadian rhythm (ACR) is related to the development of DCM in animal models, but exploration based on clinical samples is lacking. Sleep apnea (SA) is the most common disease related to ACR, and we chose SA as the study object to explore ACR-DCM.

Methods and results

We included a derivation cohort (n = 105) and a validation cohort (n = 65). DCM patients were divided into SA and without SA group. RT-qPCR was used to determine the change of rhythm gene expression pattern of heart samples from different timepoints. We used single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) to explore the abnormal transcriptional patterns in the ACR group, and we verified the findings by pathological staining, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Rev-erbα/β knockout (KO) mice analysis. DCM patients with SA showed decreased amplitude of rhythm gene expression. SA group showed more severe dilation of left heart chambers. From snRNA-seq, ACR-DCM lost the morning transcriptional patterns, detailly, actin cytoskeleton organization of cardiomyocytes (CMs) disrupted and hypertrophy aggravated, and the proportion of activated fibroblasts (Fibs) decreased with the reduction of fibrotic area ratio. The results of pathological staining, mechanical experiments, and transcriptional feature of Rev-erbα/β KO mice supported the above findings.

Conclusion

Compared with the non-SA group, left ventricular (LV) wall dilation was more severe and the structural strength was lower in DCM patients with SA, and phenotypic changes in CM and Fib were involved in this process. ACR-DCM was histopathologically characterized by a structurally weak ventricular wall.
Long-term effect of inbreeding in the yellow steppe lemming, Eolagurus luteus, captive colony
Authors: Streltsov Vladimir V , Ilchenko Olga G , Kotenkova Elena V
Published: September 2024

In the current research, we investigated the impact of gradually increasing inbreeding on the life span and reproductive rate of yellow steppe lemmings, Eolagurus luteus, that reproduced in the Moscow Zoo. The focal captive colony existed from 2017 to 2021. The studied animals belonged to the second to tenth generations. The founders of the colony were 5 females and 5 males originating from 3 females and 4 males livetrapped in the Zaisan basin (Kazakhstan). The degree of their descendant relatedness progressively increased. The animals intended to be used for reproduction were distributed to pairs with unfamiliar partners. We constructed the pedigree of 177 individuals and calculated their inbreeding coefficients. This parameter varied from 0 to 0.29, and the maximum values were registered in the lemmings of the seventh to tenth generations. We measured the life span of 61 individuals and used information about the reproduction or its absence in 45 pairs. A substantial decline in individual life span and reproductive parameters in the breeding pairs, along with a progressive increase in the inbreeding coefficients, was registered. The number of delivered litters, born pups, and young lived up to the age of puberty significantly depended on the level of mother inbreeding. The noticeable traits of inbreeding depression in the colony appeared in 2019–2020 when the offspring inbreeding coefficients reached approximately 0.2. Therefore, we assume that if the E. luteus population originates from a relatively small number of noninbred and unfamiliar individuals, then successful reproduction without significant inbreeding depression will continue for several generations of offspring.
Prevalence, Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of Difficult-to-Treat Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Parigi Tommaso Lorenzo , Massimino Luca , Carini Alfredo , Gabbiadini Roberto , Bertoli Peter , Allocca Mariangela , Bezzio Cristina , Dal Buono Arianna , D’Amico Ferdinando , Furfaro Federica , Loy Laura , Zilli Alessandra , Ungaro Federica , Jairath Vipul , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Armuzzi Alessandro , Danese Silvio
Published: September 2024

Background and Aims

Criteria for “difficult-to-treat” inflammatory bowel disease (DTT-IBD) have recently been proposed to standardize terminology. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, management, and outcomes of DTT-IBD.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study in 2 tertiary centers in Italy.

Results

Among 1736 IBD patients treated with biologics/advanced small molecules, 430 (24.8%) met at least 1 DTT-IBD criterion, of which 331 (77%) failed at least 2 mechanisms of action. In ulcerative colitis (UC), left-sided and extended colitis were risk factors for DTT compared to proctitis (odds ratio [OR] 6.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.93-40.98; p = 0.011 and OR 10.12; 95% CI, 3.01-63.14; p = 0.002, respectively). In Crohn’s disease (CD), multiple localizations (L3+L4) (OR 3.04; 95% CI, 1.09-8.34; p = 0.03), stricturing (OR 2.24; 95% CI, 1.52-3.34; p < 0.001), and penetrating (OR 2.33; 95% CI, 1.55-3.53; p < 0.001) behaviors, and perianal disease (OR 2.49; 95% CI, 1.75-3.53; p < 0.001) were the main risk factors for DTT. Delay in advanced treatment initiation was positively associated with DTT-CD (OR 1.74; 95% CI, 1.27-2.41; p = 0.001) but protective in UC (OR 0.65; 95% CI, 0.45-0.93; p = 0.019). The rates of symptomatic, biochemical, and endoscopic remission were lower in DTT-IBD compared to non-DTT-IBD. The difference was most evident for endoscopic remission (25% vs 62%). Drug persistency in each following line of treatment progressively decreased in CD and UC. All advanced drugs used in DTT-IBD had similar persistence.

Conclusions

DTT-IBD was prevalent in approximately one-quarter of patients with IBD in a tertiary care setting. Certain IBD phenotypes and the delay in initiating treatment in CD were risk factors for DTT. Drug persistency decreased progressively with every subsequent line of therapy.
Cardiac metastatic melanoma presenting with ventricular tachycardia: a multimodality imaging evaluation case report
Authors: Khalid Hussain Mirza , Jimenez Yomary , Wang Wei , Hochhegger Bruno , Al-Ani Mohammad
Published: September 2024

Background

Cardiac tumours are rare; secondary, metastatic cardiac tumours are 22–132 times more common than primary cardiac tumours. Multimodality imaging can elucidate the mass anatomy, composition, haemodynamic consequences, and guide management plan.

Case summary

We present a case of large left ventricular mass presenting with unstable ventricular tachycardia. We describe the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, transthoracic echocardiography, and computed tomography findings used to assist in characterizing the left ventricular mass. We describe the multidisciplinary discussion involved in diagnosis, surgical biopsy, and treatment, and follow-up of cardiac metastatic melanoma.

Discussion

Metastatic melanoma should be within the differential for cardiac masses. Any patient presenting with a cardiac mass should be asked about history of skin malignancy. Multimodality imaging is crucial to diagnosis, staging, haemodynamic assessment, interventional and surgical planning, and assessment of response to therapy.
Greenness exposure and mortality risk in a cardio-oncologic population
Authors: Ashri Saar , Cohen Gali , Itzhaki Ben Zadok Osnat , Moran Mika , Broday David M , Steinberg David M , Keinan-Boker Lital , Witberg Guy , Bental Tamir , Golan Lihi , Shafran Itamar , Kornowski Ran , Gerber Yariv
Published: September 2024

Background and aims

Knowledge is lacking on the relationship between greenness and mortality in cancer survivors who experience coronary artery disease, a cardio-oncologic population. We aimed to investigate the association between residential greenness exposure and all-cause mortality in a cardio-oncologic population.

Methods and results

Cancer survivors undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention at the Rabin Medical Center in Israel between 2004 and 2014 were included in the study. Clinical data were collected from medical records during index hospitalization and from the Israeli National Cancer Registry. Residential greenness was estimated by the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a satellite-based index derived from Landsat imagery at a 30-m spatial resolution, with larger values indicating higher levels of vegetative density (ranging between −1 and 1). Mortality follow-up data were obtained through the end of 2021. Cox models were used to assess the hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality per 1SD increase in NDVI. Among 1331 patients analysed [mean (SD) age, 75.6 (10.2) years, 373 (28%) females], the mean (SD) NDVI within a 300-m radius was 0.12 (0.03). During a median follow-up period of 12.0 (IQR 9.2–14.7) years, 883 (66%) participants died. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, including residential socioeconomic status, air pollution, and smoking, NDVI was inversely associated with mortality hazard [HR (95% CI) = 0.93 (0.86, 0.99); P = 0.042]. The association was stronger among individuals with more recently (<10 years) diagnosed cancer [HR (95% CI) = 0.89 (0.81, 0.98); P = 0.019].

Conclusion

In a cohort of cardio-oncologic patients, greenness was independently associated with lower mortality.
Genetic and environmental contributions to the development of soft tissue facial profile: a twin study
Authors: Giri Jamal , Bockmann Michelle , Brook Alan , Gurr Angela , Hughes Toby
Published: September 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors in the phenotypic variation of the soft tissue facial profile during the mixed dentition and the permanent dentition stages.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, standardized facial profile photographs of 139 twin pairs (55 monozygotic and 84 dizygotic) were obtained from archival records at the Adelaide Dental School. Photographic analysis used 12 angular and 14 linear facial profile measurements from the mixed dentition (7–11 years) to the permanent dentition (12–17 years) stages. A genetic analysis was performed using a univariate structural equation model adhering to the normal assumptions of a twin model.

Results

In the mixed dentition stage, the additive genetic (A) and unique environment (E) model, AE model, was the most parsimonious in explaining the observed phenotypic variance for all 26 facial traits with the narrow-sense heritability estimates ranging between 0.38 and 0.79. In the permanent dentition, the AE model was the most parsimonious for 20 out of 26 traits, however, the variance of six traits, particularly those in the lower third of the face, was best explained by the shared environmental and unique environmental factors.

Limitations

This study exclusively included twins of European ancestry.

Conclusions

The soft tissue facial profile demonstrated dynamic genetic and environmental influences with a greater additive genetic influence during the mixed dentition and the early stages of the permanent dentition. However, there was evidence of increasing environmental influence in the lower third of the face during the early stages of the permanent dentition.
Adult Herbst-multibracket appliance treatment—how stable are the results very long term?
Authors: Bock Niko Christian , von Bremen Julia , Ruf Sabine
Published: September 2024

Aim

To investigate the post-treatment (Tx) changes (≥ 15 years) in adult Class II patients treated with Herbst appliance and subsequently a multibracket appliance (MBA).

Subjects and Methods

Of 51 potential patients 31 could be located and participated (19 II:1 and 12 II:2). At a mean age of 21.8 ± 7.3 years (T0), Herbst-MBA Tx had been started. The mean post-Tx observation period was 19.8 ± 3.6 years. Study models from before and after Tx (T1, mean age: 23.6 ± 7.4 years), after 3.0 ± 2.8 years of retention (T2, mean age: 26.8 ± 8.3 years) as well as after recall (T3, mean age: 43.4 ± 7.5 years) were evaluated using the PAR index as well as standard occlusal variables.

Results

Pre-Tx, the mean values of the 31 participants were: PAR score = 26.1 ± 9.6 points, Class II molar relationship (MR) = 0.7 ± 0.2 cusp widths (CW), overjet = 6.9 ± 2.3 mm and overbite = 4.8 ± 2.6 mm. After Tx, the mean PAR score was 5.3 ± 2.8. A Class I MR (0.0 ± 0.1 CW) was present while overjet and overbite had decreased to 2.1 ± 0.7 and 1.3 ± 0.8 mm, respectively. At recall (19.8 ± 3.6 years post-Tx), a slight PAR score increase (+ 3.1 points) had occurred (final value: 8.4 ± 3.7); this was mainly due to mild increases in overjet, overbite (final values: 3.3 ± 1.4 mm and 2.5 ± 1.7 mm) and changes in sagittal MR (0.2 ± 0.2 CW).

Limitations

The sample size and the participation rate as well as the unavailability of a comparable control group can be considered as limitations. In addition, no long-term radiographic data could be obtained, and the retention protocol was not uniform. The majority of these issues, however, should be acceptable to due to the duration of the observation period and the uniqueness of the data.

Conclusion

In the present sample, Herbst-MBA Tx enabled Class II correction in adults with very good occlusal long-term stability.
Communicating research findings to ELT practitioners in Sri Lanka
Authors: Indrarathne Bimali
Published: September 2024

Whether or not ELT practitioners have access to research findings, their understanding of them and the perceived relevance to their own contexts are important debates in the language education field. This paper discusses an initiative that attempted to disseminate research findings relating to teaching/learning grammar to a group of ELT teachers in Sri Lanka. Participant feedback analysis highlights that research findings do not reach teachers in an effective manner, and they need exemplar-based training to understand them. Although research findings may be relevant to their contexts, teachers may still not be able to adapt them because of time constraints and lack of expertise. Therefore, more effort should be taken to disseminate research findings through initiatives such as incorporating them into teacher training programmes and providing examples showing how to apply those findings in practice.
Low haemoglobin in arduous seasons is associated with reduced chance of ovulation among women living in the Bolivian altiplano
Authors: Stevens Rose , Alvergne Alexandra , Vitzthum Virginia J
Published: September 2024

Background and objectives

Female reproductive function flexibly responds to ecological variation in energy availability, but the roles of other ecologically limited resources, such as iron, remain poorly understood. This analysis investigates whether haemoglobin associates with investment in reproductive function in a rural natural fertility population living in the Bolivian altiplano.

Methodology

We conducted a cross-sectional secondary analysis of prospectively collected biomarker and sociodemographic data, comprising 152 menstrual cycles from 96 non-contracepting women living at 3800 m altitude. Multivariable multilevel models were used to investigate (i) whether haemoglobin concentration is associated with ecological variation in subsistence strategy and seasonal conditions, and (ii) whether haemoglobin concentration is associated with the occurrence of ovulation and/or the concentration of luteal progesterone, two biomarkers of current investment in reproduction.

Results

Haemoglobin concentrations were lower in arduous seasons among those women more dependent on traditional agropastoral subsistence strategies (β = −0.42, 95% CI: −0.80 to −0.04, P = 0.032). During more arduous seasons, a 1 standard deviation increase in haemoglobin was associated with an over 3-fold increase in the odds of ovulation after adjusting for body fat, breastfeeding status, and age (adjusted odds ratio = 3.27, 95% CI: 1.10 to 9.27, P = 0.033).

Conclusions and implications

When conditions are relatively harsh and may be expected to improve, low haemoglobin levels are associated with lower current investment in reproduction and reduced fecundity. These results support the role of iron, independent of energy stores, as a limiting resource in modulating reproductive trade-offs.
Intensity or volume: the role of physical activity in longevity
Authors: Schwendinger Fabian , Infanger Denis , Lichtenstein Eric , Hinrichs Timo , Knaier Raphael , Rowlands Alex V , Schmidt-Trucksäss Arno
Published: September 2024

Aims

To investigate how physical activity (PA) volume, intensity, duration, and fragmentation are associated with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality. To produce centile curves for PA volume and intensity representative of US adults.

Methods and results

This study is based on the observational 2011–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Adults (age, ≥20) with valid accelerometer, covariate, and mortality data were included. Average acceleration (AvAcc), intensity gradient (IG), and total PA served as proxies for volume, intensity, and duration of PA, respectively. Weighted Cox proportional hazard models estimated associations between outcome and PA metrics. In 7518 participants (52.0% women, weighted median age of 49), there were curvilinear inverse dose–response relationships of all-cause mortality risk (81-month follow-up) with both AvAcc [−14.4% (95% CI, −8.3 to −20.1%) risk reduction from 25th to 50th percentile] and IG [−37.1% (95% CI, −30.0 to −43.4%) risk reduction from 25th to 50th percentile], but for cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk (n = 7016, 82-month follow-up) only with IG [−41.0% (95% CI, −26.7 to −52.4%) risk reduction from the 25th to 50th percentile]. These relationships plateau at AvAcc: ∼35–45 mg and IG: −2.7 to −2.5. Associations of PA with all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality are primarily driven by intensity and secondary by volume. Centile curves for volume and intensity were generated.

Conclusion

Intensity is a main driver of reduced mortality risk suggesting that the intensity of PA rather than the quantity matters for longevity. The centile curves offer guidance for achieving desirable PA levels for longevity.
Variance partitioning of nest provisioning rates in blue tits: individual repeatability, heritability, and partner interactions
Authors: Santema Peter , Forstmeier Wolfgang , Kempenaers Bart
Published: September 2024

In many animal species, including most birds, parental care is performed by both parents, which has important implications for mate choice (good parent hypothesis) and parental investment strategies. Partitioning the variance in measures of parental care into heritable and nonheritable components is important to understand the evolvability of parental investment and its potential role in mate choice. We employed an automated system to monitor provisioning behavior at 817 blue tit nests over 10 years (totaling ~3 million visits). Daily provisioning rates of males and females were moderately repeatable between years (Radj = 0.16 and 0.15, respectively), which was almost entirely explained by additive genetic effects. While this degree of heritability is sufficient for parental investment to respond to selection, we argue that the modest level of repeatability provides limited potential for a “provisioning phenotype” to be used as a criterion in mate choice. Daily visit rates were positively correlated between pair members, but after accounting for shared environmental factors, this relationship became clearly negative, thereby providing support for models of partial compensation. Visit rates also differed substantially between years, and between days within a year. Thus, it is important to account for these variables when comparing the parental investment between individuals. Our results highlight the interplay between genetic, social, and environmental influences on provisioning behavior.
Terrestrialization of sediment bacterial assemblages when temporary rivers run dry
Authors: Freixa Anna , González-Trujillo Juan David , Sacristán-Soriano Oriol , Borrego Carles M , Sabater Sergi
Published: September 2024

Bacterial communities in river sediments are shaped by a trade-off between dispersal from upstream or nearby land and selection by the local environmental conditions. In temporary rivers (i.e. those characterized by long drying periods and subsequent rewetting) seasonal hydrological dynamics shape bacterial communities by connecting or disconnecting different river habitats. In this study, we tracked and compared the temporal and spatial changes in the composition of bacterial communities in streambed sediments and floodplain habitats across both permanent and intermittent river segments. Our findings revealed that environmental selection played a key role in assembling bacterial communities in both segments. We argue that distinct environmental features act as filters at the local scale, favoring specific bacterial taxa in isolated pools and promoting some typically terrestrial taxa in dry areas. Considering the prospective extension of drying intervals due to climate change, our results suggest an emerging trend wherein bacterial assemblages in temporary streams progressively incorporate microorganisms of terrestrial origin, well-adapted to tolerate desiccation phases. This phenomenon may constitute an integral facet of the broader adaptive dynamics of temporary river ecosystems in response to the impacts of climate change.
Regulation of Drosophila brain development and organ growth by the Minibrain/Rala signaling network
Authors: Brown Melissa , Sciascia Erika , Ning Ken , Adam Wesam , Veraksa Alexey
Published: September 2024

The human dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) is implicated in the pathology of Down syndrome, microcephaly, and cancer; however the exact mechanism through which it functions is unknown. Here, we have studied the role of the Drosophila ortholog of DYRK1A, Minibrain (Mnb), in brain development and organ growth. The neuroblasts (neural stem cells) that eventually give rise to differentiated neurons in the adult brain are formed from a specialized tissue in the larval optic lobe called the neuroepithelium, in a tightly regulated process. Molecular marker analysis of mnb mutants revealed alterations in the neuroepithelium and neuroblast regions of developing larval brains. Using affinity purification-mass spectrometry (AP-MS), we identified the novel Mnb binding partners Ral interacting protein (Rlip) and RALBP1 associated Eps domain containing (Reps). Rlip and Reps physically and genetically interact with Mnb, and the three proteins may form a ternary complex. Mnb phosphorylates Reps, and human DYRK1A binds to the Reps orthologs REPS1 and REPS2. Mnb also promotes re-localization of Rlip from the nucleus to the cytoplasm in cultured cells. Furthermore, Mnb engages the small GTPase Ras-like protein A (Rala) to regulate brain and wing development. This work uncovers a previously unrecognized role of Mnb in the neuroepithelium and defines the functions of the Mnb/Reps/Rlip/Rala signaling network in organ growth and neurodevelopment.