bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Glaucoma Treatment Outcomes in Open Angle Glaucoma Patients of African Descent
Authors: Siesky Brent , Harris Alon , Belamkar Aditya , Zukerman Ryan , Horn Avery , Verticchio Vercellin Alice , Mendoza Kristen A. , Sidoti Paul A. , Oddone Francesco
Published: March 2022

Open angle glaucoma (OAG), characterized by structural changes to the optic nerve head and retinal nerve fiber layer, is a progressive multifactorial optic neuropathy and a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally. Currently, intraocular pressure is the only modifiable risk factor; however, others have been identified, including genetics and race. Importantly, OAG is much more prevalent in persons of African descent (AD) compared with those of European descent (ED). OAG patients of AD are also known to have a more severe course of the disease, a finding potentially explained by structural and/or vascular differences within eye tissues. In addition, disparities in treatment outcomes have been identified in OAG patients of AD. Specifically, prostaglandin analogues have been suggested to be more effective in patients of AD than in those ED, while beta-adrenergic receptors have been suggested to be less effective, although the evidence is inconsistent. AD has also been identified as a risk factor for trabeculectomy failure while laser trabeculoplasty has been conversely found to be very effective in lowering intraocular pressure in patients of AD. Alternative surgical options, including Ex-Press shunt implantation, viscocanalostomy, and canaloplasty are promising in equivalence but require further research to evaluate disparity in outcome properly. In addition to treatment outcomes, social disparities affecting clinical care also exist for AD persons in the form of reduced adherence, access, and choice. Overall, data suggest the need for properly designed prospective trials with AD populations as a primary focus to identify the potential mechanisms driving disparities in treatment and address overall potential bias in glaucoma management.
Comparing Machine Learning to Regression Methods for Mortality Prediction Using Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Clinical Data
Authors: Jing Bocheng , Boscardin W. John , Deardorff W. James , Jeon Sun Young , Lee Alexandra K. , Donovan Anne L. , Lee Sei J.
Published: March 2022

Background:

It is unclear whether machine learning methods yield more accurate electronic health record (EHR) prediction models compared with traditional regression methods.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to compare machine learning and traditional regression models for 10-year mortality prediction using EHR data.

Design:

This was a cohort study.

Setting:

Veterans Affairs (VA) EHR data.

Participants:

Veterans age above 50 with a primary care visit in 2005, divided into separate training and testing cohorts (n= 124,360 each).

Measurements and Analytic Methods:

The primary outcome was 10-year all-cause mortality. We considered 924 potential predictors across a wide range of EHR data elements including demographics (3), vital signs (9), medication classes (399), disease diagnoses (293), laboratory results (71), and health care utilization (149). We compared discrimination (c-statistics), calibration metrics, and diagnostic test characteristics (sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values) of machine learning and regression models.

Results:

Our cohort mean age (SD) was 68.2 (10.5), 93.9% were male; 39.4% died within 10 years. Models yielded testing cohort c-statistics between 0.827 and 0.837. Utilizing all 924 predictors, the Gradient Boosting model yielded the highest c-statistic [0.837, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.835–0.839]. The full (unselected) logistic regression model had the highest c-statistic of regression models (0.833, 95% CI: 0.830–0.835) but showed evidence of overfitting. The discrimination of the stepwise selection logistic model (101 predictors) was similar (0.832, 95% CI: 0.830–0.834) with minimal overfitting. All models were well-calibrated and had similar diagnostic test characteristics.

Limitation:

Our results should be confirmed in non-VA EHRs.

Conclusion:

The differences in c-statistic between the best machine learning model (924-predictor Gradient Boosting) and 101-predictor stepwise logistic models for 10-year mortality prediction were modest, suggesting stepwise regression methods continue to be a reasonable method for VA EHR mortality prediction model development.
Role of Dynamic Parameters of 18F-DOPA PET/CT in Pediatric Gliomas
Authors: Fiz Francesco , Bini Fabiano , Gabriele Edoardo , Bottoni Gianluca , Garrè Maria Luisa , Marinozzi Franco , Milanaccio Claudia , Verrico Antonio , Massollo Michela , Bosio Victoria , Lattuada Marco , Rossi Andrea , Ramaglia Antonia , Puntoni Matteo , Morana Giovanni , Piccardo Arnoldo
Published: March 2022

Purpose of the Report

PET with 18F-DOPA can be used to evaluate grading and aggressiveness of pediatric cerebral gliomas. However, standard uptake parameters may underperform in circumscribed lesions and in diffuse pontine gliomas. In this study, we tested whether dynamic 18F-DOPA PET could overcome these limitations.

Patients and Methods

Patients with available dynamic 18F-DOPA PET were included retrospectively. Static parameters (tumor/striatum ratio [T/S] and tumor/cortex ratio [T/N]) and dynamic ones, calculated on the tumor time activity curve (TAC), including time-to-peak (TTP), slope steepness, the ratio between tumor and striatum TAC steepness (dynamic slope ratio [DSR]), and TAC shape (accumulation vs plateau), were evaluated as predictors of high/low grading (HG and LG) and of progression-free survival and overall survival.

Results

Fifteen patients were included; T/S, T/N, TTP, TAC slope steepness, and DSR were not significantly different between HG and LG. The accumulation TAC shape was more prevalent in the LG than in the HG group (75% vs 27%). On progression-free survival univariate analysis, TAC accumulation shape predicted longer survival (P < 0.001), whereas T/N and DSR showed borderline significance; on multivariate analyses, only TAC shape was retained (P < 0.01, Harrell C index, 0.93–0.95). On overall survival univariate analysis, T/N (P < 0.05), DSR (P < 0.05), and TAC “accumulating” shape predicted survival (P < 0.001); once more, only this last parameter was retained in the multivariate models (P < 0.05, Harrell C index, 0.86–0.89).

Conclusions

Dynamic 18F-DOPA PET analysis outperforms the static parameter evaluation in grading assessment and survival prediction. Evaluation of the curve shape is a simple-to-use parameter with strong predictive power.
Small, odd and old: The mysteriousTarsius pumilusis the most basal Sulawesi tarsier
Authors: Hagemann Laura , Grow Nanda , Bohr Yvonne E.-M. B. , Perwitasari-Farajallah Dyah , Duma Yulius , Gursky Sharon L. , Merker Stefan
Published: March 2022

In this study, we present the first genetic evidence of the phylogenetic position ofTarsius pumilus,the mountain tarsier of Sulawesi, Indonesia.This mysterious primate is the only Eastern tarsier species that occurs exclusively in cloud forests above 1800 m.a.s.l. It exhibits striking morphological peculiarities—most prominently its extremely reduced body size, which led to the common name of ‘pygmy tarsier’. However, our results indicate thatT. pumilusis not an aberrant form of a lowland tarsier, but in fact, the most basal of all Sulawesi tarsiers. Applying a Bayesian multi-locus coalescent approach, we dated the divergence between theT. pumiluslineage and the ancestor of all other extant Sulawesi tarsiers to 9.88 Mya. This is as deep as the split between the two other tarsier generaCarlito(Philippine tarsiers) andCephalopachus(Western tarsiers), and predates further tarsier diversification on Sulawesi by around 7 Myr. The date coincides with the deepening of the marine environment between eastern and western Sulawesi, which likely led to allopatric speciation betweenT. pumilusor its predecessor in the west and the ancestor of all other Sulawesi tarsiers in the east. As the split preceded the emergence of permanent mountains in western Sulawesi, it is unlikely that the shift to montane habitat has driven the formation of theT. pumiluslineage.
Stress in an underground empire
Authors: Medger Katarina
Published: March 2022

The naked mole-rat (
Heterocephalus glaber
) and the Damaraland mole-rat (
Fukomys damarensis
) live in large colonies in underground tunnel systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Most members of the colonies are suppressed from reproduction and they are unlikely to reproduce during their lifetime. Only one female and a small number of males reproduce. This extreme cooperative social system has fascinated researchers since the naked mole-rat was first described as eusocial. Despite much research into the mechanisms of social suppression, the exact mechanisms are still unclear. Much evidence points towards high glucocorticoid concentrations caused by agonistic behaviour by the breeding female suppressing reproduction of non-breeders, but laboratory studies have not found any differences in glucocorticoids between breeders and non-breeders. There is, however, considerable evidence from field studies and other social mole-rats that social stress may indeed be an important factor of social suppression in social mole-rats and that those mechanisms are affected by the stability of the colony and environmental conditions. This review aims to provide a summary of the current knowledge of the relationship between environmental conditions, colony stability, glucocorticoids and reproductive suppression in social mole-rat species and suggests some avenues for future research.
Inferring the reproduction number using the renewal equation in heterogeneous epidemics
Authors: Green William D. , Ferguson Neil M. , Cori Anne
Published: March 2022

Real-time estimation of the reproduction number has become the focus of modelling groups around the world as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic unfolds. One of the most widely adopted means of inference of the reproduction number is via the renewal equation, which uses the incidence of infection and the generation time distribution. In this paper, we derive a multi-type equivalent to the renewal equation to estimate a reproduction number which accounts for heterogeneity in transmissibility including through asymptomatic transmission, symptomatic isolation and vaccination. We demonstrate how use of the renewal equation that misses these heterogeneities can result in biased estimates of the reproduction number. While the bias is small with symptomatic isolation, it can be much larger with asymptomatic transmission or transmission from vaccinated individuals if these groups exhibit substantially different generation time distributions to unvaccinated symptomatic transmitters, whose generation time distribution is often well defined. The bias in estimate becomes larger with greater population size or transmissibility of the poorly characterized group. We apply our methodology to Ebola in West Africa in 2014 and the SARS-CoV-2 in the UK in 2020–2021.
The instruments of expeditionary science and the reworking of nineteenth-century magnetic experiment
Authors: Gillin Edward J.
Published: March 2022

During the mid-nineteenth century, British naval expeditions navigated the world as part of the most extensive scientific undertaking of the age. Between 1839 and the early 1850s, the British government orchestrated a global surveying of the Earth's magnetic phenomena: this was a philosophical enterprise of unprecedented state support and geographical extent. But to conduct this investigation relied on the use of immensely delicate instruments, known as ‘dipping needles’. The most celebrated of these were those of Robert Were Fox, designed and built in Cornwall. Yet these devices were difficult to physically maintain and ensuring accuracy throughout a magnetic experiment was challenging. In 2020, Crosbie Smith and I took an original Fox dipping needle on a voyage from Falmouth to Cape Town, retracing the routes of survey expeditions, including James Clark Ross's 1839–43 Antarctic venture. The article offers an account of our experiences, combined with historical reports of the instrument's past performances. It explores the instrumental challenges involved in nineteenth-century global experimental investigation. The great problem for the British magnetic survey was of coordinating standardized experimental measurements over vast expanses of space and time. As this article argues, this was very much a question of instrumental management, both of dipping needles and of human performers.
Impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the COVID-19 pandemic dynamics
Authors: Nesteruk Igor
Published: March 2022

Full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops, which began on February 24, 2022, caused an unprecedented number of refugees, which in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could increase the number of patients. The recent pandemic dynamics in Ukraine, Poland, Germany and in the whole world was compared with the previous epidemic waves simulated with the use of the generalized SIR-model and corresponding parameter identification procedure. Since before the war the estimation of the number of infectious persons per capita in Ukraine 3.6 times exceeded the global figure, the increase of the number the new cases and the pandemic duration is expected. From the beginning of March 2022 the increase of the averaged number of new cases in Germany and worldwide is visible.
Molecular Control of Circuit Plasticity and the Permanence of Imprinted Odor Memory
Authors: Wu Yunming , Ma Limei , Qiu Qiang , Xu Wenjing , Misra Aviral , Duyck Kyle , Blanck Jillian , Scott Allison R. , Chen Shiyuan , Hassan Huzaifa , Corbin Timothy J. , Moran Andrea , Hall Kate , Li Hua , Perera Anoja , Yu C. Ron
Published: March 2022

Behavioral imprinting is a distinct form of learning that has a lifelong impact on social interactions and affectional behaviors1-4. Unlike other forms of memory, imprinting does not require conspicuous association of stimuli; exposure per se appears sufficient to induce memories that neither undergo extinction nor are altered by experience later in life. The site of storage of imprinted memory and the mechanisms that control its formation and permanence are unknown. Here we uncover a molecular mechanism that controls olfactory imprinting, which underlies behaviors including kin and nest recognition, maternal attachment, and homing5-10. We show that odor exposure during the perinatal period converts an innately aversive odor into a homing signal. The behavioral change is associated with odor-induced changes in the projection patterns of olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) expressing the cognate receptors for the exposed odor. We show that the Wnt signaling receptor Frizzled1 (Fzd1) acts as a master regulator of the critical period of OSN development and is responsible for closing the critical period to prevent further changes in the neural circuit. In Fzd1 knockout mice axon projection patterns are continually modified by sensory experience. As Fzd1 knockout abolishes the developmental critical period, it also abolishes odor imprinting. Specific knockout of Fzd1 in the OSNs have the same effect. Mechanistically, Fzd1 controls the critical period through an autoregulated shutdown and by controlling an activity-driven regulon in the OSNs. The transient expression and the subsequent downregulation of Fzd1 leads to the irreversible closure of the critical period to lock in circuits established during the critical period. The evidence suggests that imprinted odor memory is stored in the patterns of connectivity at the first synapse in the olfactory bulb. Early odor experience induces changes in the OSN projection to alter connectivity with innate circuits to establish a life-long memory.
Factors affecting innovative behavior of Vietnamese enterprises employees
Authors: Nguyen Thi Phuong Linh
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting innovative behavior (IB) of Vietnamese enterprises employees based on theories of transformational leadership, social cognitive and knowledge spiral.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a combination of in-depth interviews and large-scale surveys in 15 enterprises in the North, Central and South of Vietnam. In total, 455 valid questionnaires from employees of information technology, telecommunications and e-commerce enterprises have been used in this research to explore the impact of transformational leadership (TL), coworker support (CS) and organizational learning (OL) on employees' IB. The data collected were subjected to quantitative analysis, including Cronbach's alpha reliability test, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) for scales and hypotheses testing.

Findings

The results show that there are positive relationships between TL, OL and employees' IB, in which OL has a stronger impact than TL.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of this paper are that other factors affecting the innovation behavior of employees in Vietnamese enterprises have not been fully explored, the rejection of the hypothesis about the relationship between CS and employees’ IB needs to be considered with the moderating role of job characteristics and the use of convenient random sample selection, due to which its reliability may not be guaranteed.

Practical implications

From the results of this study, the authors point out that managers in Vietnamese enterprises should develop TL to deliver more creativity in an organization and enhance the corporate learning-oriented environment.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature by focusing on factors affecting IB of enterprises employees in Vietnam, an emerging economy in the world.
Investigating social factors and their impact on value co-creation in supply chain ecosystems
Authors: Goetz Franziska , Türkmen Ismail , Buck Christoph , Meckl Reinhard
Published: March 2022

Purpose

As coopetition often characterizes relationships in ecosystems, social factors are particularly important to ensure resilient and reliable relationships, therefore efficient collaboration, and a corresponding outcome. Social factors have so far only been considered as peripheral factors in the ecosystem literature. Thus, this study aims to analyse the current state of literature to provide initial insights into the impact of social factors on value co-creation in supply chain ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured literature review was conducted. Eleven articles were identified which explicitly examined social factors in the context of supply chain ecosystems.

Findings

The findings showed that in current research contributions, especially three social factors are considered crucial for value co-creation within supply chain ecosystems: trust, commitment and mindset. Moreover, researchers focus so far only on positive-affected social factors.

Research limitations/implications

The findings enable ecosystem orchestrators as well as actors to strengthen social factors in supply chain ecosystems. The cultivation and proactive consideration of social factors is crucial for efficient and effective collaboration and has a corollary effect on supply chain ecosystems value co-creation.

Originality/value

This paper extends the limited literature on social factors within supply chain ecosystems, notably from a strategic management perspective. The findings help scholars to understand why social factors do play a crucial role regarding the value co-creation in supply chain ecosystem and how specific social factors influence the overall business outcome. By raising awareness of the importance of social factors for all ecosystem actors, complementary cooperation in the ecosystem improves, which in turn has a positive impact on value co-creation.
Personal health budgets: a mechanism to encourage service integration?
Authors: Welch Elizabeth , Jones Karen , Fox Diane , Caiels James
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Integrated care continues to be a central aim within health and social care policy in England. Personal budgets and personal health budgets aim to place service users at the centre of decision-making and are part of a wider long-term initiative working towards personalised and integrated care. Personal budgets began in social care with the national pilot programme of individual budgets, which aimed to incorporate several funding streams into one budget, but in practice local authorities limited these to social care expenditure. Personal budgets then moved into the health care sector with the introduction of a three-year personal health budgets pilot programme that started in 2009. The purpose of the paper is to explore the post-pilot implementation of personal health budgets and explore their role in facilitating service integration. We examine this through the RE-AIM framework.

Design/methodology/approach

During 2015 and 2016, eight organisational representatives, 23 personal health budget holders and three service providers were interviewed, 42 personal health budget support plans were collected and 14 service providers completed an online survey.

Findings

Overall, personal health budgets continued to be viewed positively but progress in implementation was slower than expected. Effective leadership, clear communication and longer-term implementation were seen as vital ingredients in ensuring personal health budgets are fully embedded and contribute to wider service integration.

Originality/value

The paper highlights the importance of policy implementation over the longer-term, while illustrating how the venture of personal health budgets in England could be a mechanism for implementing service integration. The findings can serve to guide future policy initiatives on person-centred care and service integration.
AI-enabled technologies to assist Muslim tourists in Halal-friendly tourism
Authors: Battour Mohamed , Mady Khalid , Salaheldeen Mohamed , Elsotouhy Mohamed , Elbendary Israa , Boğan Erhan
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to present a theoretical account of the connection between artificial intelligence (AI) enabled technologies and Muslim-friendly tourism experiences (MFTX) using the customer experience (CX) theory, reference group theory and theory of tourism consumption systems.

Design/methodology/approach

A model research design is adopted to build a theoretical framework that predicts relationships between constructs. Critical assessment in tourism and AI literature is used to explore AI-enabled technologies in Halal-friendly tourism.

Findings

The findings of this paper have conceptualised the CX theory for Muslim travellers satisfying their religious needs in Halal-friendly tourism by suggesting a new construct called the MFTX. It also offered a theoretical model for using AI-enabled technologies to improve the MFTX.

Originality/value

This study provides a new theoretical model for using AI-enabled technologies to improve the MFTX. This paper is also expected to provide suggestions for tourism operators and service providers to cater to Muslim tourists’ needs using AI technologies.
Exploring adoption effects of subsidies and soil fertility management in Malawi
Authors: Khonje Makaiko G. , Nyondo Christone , Chilora Lemekezani , Mangisoni Julius H. , Ricker‐Gilbert Jacob , Burke William J.
Published: March 2022

Farm input subsidies and integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) technologies are popular policy interventions in sub‐Saharan Africa, often with the stated goals of increasing crop yields and incomes while reducing hunger and poverty. However, little is known about the combined adoption effects of input subsidies and ISFM technologies on farm productivity and household nutrition in developing countries. Using a decade of nationally representative panel data from Malawi, we analyse joint adoption effects of input subsidies and ISFM technologies on smallholder household welfare. We use multivariate probit, dynamic random effects probit, and multinomial endogenous treatment effects models to account for selection bias and endogeneity originating from both observed and unobserved heterogeneity. We find that participation in a farm input subsidy programme is strongly associated with a 15–29 percentage point increase in the probabilities of adoption of three ISFM technologies: conservation agriculture, soil and water conservation, and organic fertiliser. Furthermore, we find that the joint use of input subsidies and ISFM technologies increased crop income and micronutrient consumption by at least 12%. Our findings suggest that the joint use of input subsidies and ISFM technologies are among potential strategies to address low productivity and nutritional insecurity through improvements in soil health.
Prevention and management of acneiform rash associated with EGFR inhibitor therapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Gorji Mahdieh , Joseph Joseph , Pavlakis Nick , Smith Saxon D.
Published: March 2022

Introduction

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are established therapies for advanced lung, colorectal, and head and neck cancers. They commonly cause acneiform eruptions that affect patient quality of life and may lead to discontinuation of therapy.

Methods

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was undertaken to assess strategies for the prevention and reactive management of acneiform rash associated with EGFR inhibitor therapy for advanced lung, colorectal, and head and neck cancers. A systematic Medline, Embase, and EBM Reviews database search was conducted on the 2nd of January 2021. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses statement was followed and the studies were critically appraised. Studies were selected if they focused on preventing or treating acneiform eruptions in adults being treated for advanced lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and head and neck cancers with EGFR inhibitors.

Results

Oral antibiotics had the greatest efficacy in preventing grade 2 or higher acneiform eruptions with a relative risk reduction of 40% (RR = .6, 95% CI .46–.79, p < .01). Other treatment modalities did not have statistically significant results. Topical antibiotics had a total relative risk reduction of 19% (RR = .81, 95% CI .45–1.48, p = .5). Vitamin K1 cream did not reduce the relative risk (RR = 1.08, 95% CI .45–1.48, p = .50). Sunscreen had a total relative risk reduction of 25% (RR = .75, 95% CI .49–1.14, p = .18).

Conclusions

The results of this meta‐analysis reinforce the fact that oral tetracycline antibiotics are the most efficacious prophylactic option for acneiform eruptions in EGFR inhibitors. They should be offered to suitable patients commencing treatment and used with a general skin‐care routine involving emollients and avoidance of irritants.
Preference for modernization is universal, but expected modernization trajectories are culturally diversified: A nine‐country study of folk theories of societal development
Authors: Krys Kuba , Capaldi Colin A. , Uchida Yukiko , Cantarero Katarzyna , Torres Claudio , Işık İdil , Yeung Victoria Wai Lan , Haas Brian W. , Teyssier Julien , Andrade Laura , Denoux Patrick , Igbokwe David O. , Kocimska‐Zych Agata , Villeneuve Léa , Zelenski John M.
Published: March 2022

Cultural sensitivity in societal development has been advocated for since at least the 1960s but has remained understudied. Our goal is to address this gap and to investigate folk theories of societal development. We aimed to identify both universal and culturally specific lay beliefs about what constitutes good societal development. We collected data from 2,684 participants from Japan, Hong Kong (China), Poland, Turkey, Brazil, France, Nigeria, the USA, and Canada. We measured preferences for 28 development aims. We used multidimensional scaling, analysis of variance, and pairwise comparisons to identify universal and country‐specific preferences. Our results demonstrate that what people understand as modernization is fairly universal across countries, but specific pathways of development and preferences towards these pathways tend to vary between countries. We distinguished three facets of modernization—foundational aims (e.g., trust, economic development), welfare aims (e.g., poverty eradication, education), and inclusive aims (e.g., openness, gender equality)—and incorporated them into a folk meta‐theory of modernization. In all nine countries, the three facets of modernization were preferred more than conventional aims (e.g., military, demographic growth). We propose a method of implementing our findings into a culturally sensitive modernization index.
Patient and kidney transplant survival in type 1 diabetics after kidney transplant alone compared to simultaneous pancreas‐kidney transplant
Authors: Hedley James A. , Kelly Patrick J. , Webster Angela C.
Published: March 2022

Background

Donor and other differences mean understanding drivers of transplant survival for type 1 diabetics is challenging. We aimed to compare outcomes of simultaneous pancreas‐kidney transplant over kidney transplant alone for people with end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) and type 1 diabetes.

Methods

We performed a population‐based cohort study comparing outcomes from kidney alone and kidney‐pancreas transplants using registry data. Our study population was people in Australia and New Zealand with type 1 diabetes and ESKD who received a kidney transplant in 1984–2016. Primary outcomes were time to kidney transplant failure and all‐cause death. Secondary outcomes were time to cardiovascular and non‐cardiovascular death. We compared adjusted survival using Cox regression (hazard ratio HR and 95% confidence intervals CI).

Results

Of 1295 type 1 diabetics receiving a transplant, 430 (33%) received deceased donor kidney, 172 (13%) received living donor kidney, and 693 (54%) received pancreas‐kidney transplant. Compared to deceased donor kidney, pancreas‐kidney recipients had 40% lower rate of kidney transplant failure (adjusted HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.45–0.81;p = 0.001) and 34% lower mortality (adjusted HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.53–0.83;p < 0.001), driven by 49% reduction in cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR 0.51; 95% CI 0.36–0.72;p < 0.001). Pancreas‐kidney recipients had similar reductions in transplant failure and mortality compared to living kidney recipients, after adjusting for transplant timing.

Conclusions

For people with type 1 diabetes, pancreas‐kidney transplant provides improved transplant and overall survival compared to deceased donor kidney alone. Living donor kidneys may perform just as well as pancreas‐kidney transplant if waiting times are short.
Ant nest distribution and richness have opposite effects on a Neotropical plant with extrafloral nectaries
Authors: Moura Renan Fernandes , Couto Cynthia Martins Villar , Del‐Claro Kleber
Published: March 2022

Studies assessing the effects of the spatial distribution of ant nests on ant‐plant mutualisms are rare, even though they could be decisive to the outcomes of such interactions. Here, we investigated how ant nest abundance and richness affected a Neotropical plant with extrafloral nectaries (EFN),Smilax polyantha(Smilacaceae).

We used baits to sample all nests of mutualistic ants within a 12 m radius of each plant. All neighbouring plants with EFN within 10 m of each tagged plant were also sampled. We measured foliar herbivory and fruit production of eachS. polyantha. We hypothesized that (i) high numbers of ant nests nearS. polyanthaindividuals would reduce foliar herbivory and increase fruit production, and that (ii) high ant nest richness would increase foliar herbivory and reduce fruit production.

Results showed that plants surrounded by more ant nests had lower foliar herbivory and higher fruit production. However, ant nest richness was associated with higher foliar herbivory. Furthermore, plants producing more leaves and those surrounded by more neighbouring plants with EFN had reduced herbivory. Despite this,S. polyanthahad low numbers of ant nests and reduced fruit production when surrounded by high numbers of neighbours with EFN.

We suggest that the spatial distribution of ant nests and resources (plants with EFN) play an important role in ant‐mediated mutualisms, where both ants and plants are likely competing for each other's services. Thus, incorporating these two variables in ecological models should provide insights into how protective mutualisms are structured.
Protective effects of cordycepin against d‐galactose‐induced aging in rats: A view from the heart
Authors: Feng Yuanxi , Huang Qiang
Published: March 2022

Aims

Aging is a critical contributing factor for cardiovascular diseases. The d‐galactose‐induced accelerated aging model is comparable to physiological aging from the cellular to the physiological level. The d‐galactose treatment induces mitochondrial dysfunction, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and upregulation of senescence‐related genes. Cordycepin, a functional element in Chinese traditional medicine, has multiple beneficial effects as an antioxidant and ROS scavenger, and has been reported to be effective in a number of ischemia models. This paper aims to investigate the cardioprotective effects of cordycepin in the d‐galactose accelerated aging model.

Methods

In the current study, we employed the d‐galactose accelerated aging model to study the cardioprotective effect of cordycepin. Eight‐week‐old Sprague–Dawley rats, randomly divided into five groups, were given vehicle, d‐galactose (150 mg/kg/day), and cordycepin at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg per day. At the end of the 8‐week treatment, rat cardiac structure and function were assessed with echocardiographic imaging and hemodynamic parameter analysis.

Results

Cordycepin upregulated the expression of Klotho in serum and heart tissues. The expressions of senescence markers β‐galactosidase, p21, and oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde (MDA) were downregulated by cordycepin treatment. Reduction of levels and activity of the antioxidant factors superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) induced by by d‐galactose treatment was ameliorated by cordycepin. Furthermore, cordycepin activated AMPK signaling in d‐galactose‐treated rats. After 8 weeks of treatment, we found that cordycepin improved myocardia contractility and hypertension caused by d‐galactose treatment. Mechanistically, reduced expression of the Klotho protein SOD1 caused by d‐galactose was recovered in rats co‐treated with cordycepin.

Conclusion

Cordycepin could protect against cardiac dysfunction in a d‐galactose‐induced aging rat model, suggesting the therapeutic cardioprotective potential of cordycepin in aging. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2022; 22: 433–440.
The development of world language speaking and writing in US higher education: A longitudinal case study
Authors: Hubert Michael D.
Published: March 2022

Meeting the specific needs of each individual learner in an inclusive world language (WL) curriculum is key to success in the modern classroom. A learner's innate or previously learned writing ability is thought to affect speaking ability (and vice versa), with the stronger of the two skills helping to prop up the weaker skill. However, this proposed relationship is not well understood at this point. This longitudinal study followed a cohort of 27 WL majors and minors in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish over the course of 3–4 years of university study; examined the different language courses that they completed; and measured their proficiency at the end of each academic year. Results indicate largely symmetrical development of speaking and writing, with significant exceptions.
Preverbal infants’ sensitivity to grammatical dependencies
Authors: Babineau Mireille , Christophe Anne
Published: March 2022

During their first months of life, infants can already distinguish function words (e.g., pronouns and determiners) from content words (e.g., verbs and nouns). Little research has explored preverbal infants' sensitivity to the relationships between these word categories. This preregistered study examines whether French‐learning 8‐ and 11‐month‐olds track the grammatical dependencies between determiners and nouns as well as pronouns and verbs. Using the Visual Fixation Procedure, infants were presented with lists containing either grammatical (e.g., tu manges “you eat”, des biberons “some bottles”) or ungrammatical (e.g., des manges “some eat”, tu biberons “you bottle”) phrases. In Experiment 1 (N = 59), the lists involved common nouns and verbs, while in Experiment 2 (N = 28), only common verbs were used. Eleven‐month‐olds showed a clear preference for correct over incorrect co‐occurrences in both experiments, while 8‐month‐olds showed a trend in the same direction. These results suggest that before their first birthday, infants' storage and access of words and word sequences are sufficiently sophisticated to include the means to track categorical dependencies. This early sensitivity to co‐occurrence patterns may be greatly beneficial for constraining lexical access and later on for learning novel words' syntactic and semantic properties.
Novel DNA‐based in situ hybridization method to detect Desmozoon lepeophtherii in Atlantic salmon tissues
Authors: Herrero Ana , Palenzuela Oswaldo , Rodger Hamish , Matthews Chris , Marcos‐López Mar , Bron James E. , Dagleish Mark P. , Thompson Kim D.
Published: March 2022

The microsporidian Desmozoon lepeophtherii Freeman and Sommerville, 2009 is considered significant in the pathogenesis of gill disease in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus, 1758). Due to the difficulty in detecting D. lepeophtherii in tissue sections, infections are normally diagnosed by molecular methods, routine haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained gill tissue sections and the use of other histochemical stains and labels to confirm the presence of spores. An in situ hybridization (ISH) protocol specific for D. lepeophtherii was developed using DIG‐labelled oligonucleotide probes. Diseased Atlantic salmon gills were analysed by ISH, calcofluor white (CW) and H&E. All methods showed high levels of specificity (100%) in their ability to detect D. lepeophtherii, but the sensitivity was higher with ISH (92%), compared with CW (64%) and the presence of microvesicles on H&E stained sections (52%). High levels of D. lepeophtherii spores were significantly associated (p < .05) with the development of D. lepeophtherii‐associated pathology in the gills, with Ct values below 19 and over 100 microsporidia/10 mm2 of gill tissue (from the ISH counts) seemingly necessary for the development of microvesicles. The ISH method has the advantage over other histological techniques in that it allows all life stages of the microsporidian to be detected in infected salmon gill tissue sections.
Community‐acquired bacterial meningitis in patients of 80 years and older
Authors: van Soest Thijs M. , Chekrouni Nora , van Sorge Nina M. , Brouwer Matthijs C. , van de Beek Diederik
Published: March 2022

Background

Advanced age is a risk factor for unfavorable outcome in community‐acquired bacterial meningitis, but clinical characteristics and outcome in meningitis patients of 80 years or older have not been defined.

Methods

We compared clinical characteristics and outcome of community‐acquired bacterial meningitis patients aged 80 years or older and adults under 80 years old within a prospective nationwide cohort study.

Results

Out of 2140 episodes identified between March 2006 and July 2018, 149 occurred in patients aged 80 years or older (7%). Common predisposing factors other than age were diabetes mellitus (25 of 148 [17%]), otitis or sinusitis (30 of 136 [22%]), and pneumonia (23 of 141 [16%]). The triad of fever, neck stiffness and altered consciousness was present in 60 of 139 (43%). The most common causative pathogen was Streptococcus pneumoniae (99 of 149 [66%]). Atypical causative pathogens, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, occurred more often compared to younger patients (49 of 149 [33%] vs 362 of 1991 [18%]; p < 0.001). Patients of 80 years and older had high case fatality rate (75 of 149 [50%]), but 45 of 149 (30%) had a favorable outcome. Characteristics associated with an unfavorable outcome were absence of otitis or sinusitis, presence of aphasia, mono‐ or hemiparesis, a lower score on the Glasgow Coma Scale, a higher heart rate, a higher blood C‐reactive protein concentration and CSF leukocytes <100 per mm3.

Conclusions

Bacterial meningitis in patients of 80 years of older is associated with high rates of unfavorable outcome and death. Atypical causative pathogens such as L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, and E. coli occur commonly and should be considered when starting empirical antimicrobial therapy in this age group.
Stronger together: Developing research partnerships with social impact organizations
Authors: Bublitz Melissa G. , Peracchio Laura A. , Davis Brennan , Escalas Jennifer Edson , Hansen Jonathan , Miller Elizabeth G. , Vallen Beth , White Tiffany B.
Published: March 2022

A growing number of Transformative Consumer Research (TCR) academic community members are establishing research partnerships with Social Impact Organizations (SIOs) such as nonprofits, public policy entities, and other societally focused organizations and initiatives. These relational engagement partnerships with SIOs are vital for TCR researchers because SIOs have deep connections to people and communities where transformative change takes place. We leverage insights from TCR researchers and SIOs engaged in relational engagement partnerships to outline a framework for such partnerships that supports and sustains these collaborations, furthers knowledge creation, and lays the groundwork for social impact. Our goal is to offer a framework for relational engagement partnerships that can propagate within the TCR community, encouraging fruitful collaborations between TCR researchers and SIOs that have the potential to create positive social impact.
Key learnings from COVID‐19 to sustain quality of life for families of individuals with IDD
Authors: Wanjagua Rachael , Hepburn Stevie‐Jae , Faragher Rhonda , John Shaji Thomas , Gayathri K. , Gitonga Margaret , Meshy Cecylia Francis , Miranda Lucena , Sindano Devis
Published: March 2022

COVID‐19 has very publicly had profound impacts on the health system of every country in the world. Over 4.5 million people have lost their lives. School closures worldwide where up to 1.6 billion of the world’s children have been out of school, are also prominent in world news. Behind these public impacts are the families. In this paper, we focus on the experiences of families with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through analysis of two data sets: the emerging research literature and contributions from our author team who have lived experience of intellectual and developmental disability in the context of COVID‐19. From these two data sets, we discern five themes of the impact of the pandemic: on health, on education, on services and supports, on families and finally on relationships beyond the family. We conclude with lessons from those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the carers and the individuals themselves to draw implications for supporting families in the context of disability during future pandemics.
Glutathione contributes to plant defence against parasitic cyst nematodes
Authors: Hasan M. Shamim , Chopra Divykriti , Damm Anika , Koprivova Anna , Kopriva Stanislav , Meyer Andreas J. , Müller‐Schüssele Stefanie , Grundler Florian M. W. , Siddique Shahid
Published: March 2022

Cyst nematodes (CNs) are an important group of root‐infecting sedentary endoparasites that severely damage many crop plants worldwide. An infective CN juvenile enters the host's roots and migrates towards the vascular cylinder, where it induces the formation of syncytial feeding cells, which nourish the CN throughout its parasitic stages. Here, we examined the role of glutathione (l‐γ‐glutamyl‐l‐cysteinyl‐glycine) inArabidopsis thalianaon infection with the CNHeterodera schachtii.Arabidopsislines with mutationspad2,cad2, orzir1in the glutamate–cysteine ligase (GSH1) gene, which encodes the first enzyme in the glutathione biosynthetic pathway, displayed enhanced CN susceptibility, but susceptibility was reduced forrax1, anotherGSH1allele. Biochemical analysis revealed differentially altered thiol levels in these mutants that was independent of nematode infection. All glutathione‐deficient mutants exhibited impaired activation of defence marker genes as well as genes for biosynthesis of the antimicrobial compound camalexin early in infection. Further analysis revealed a link between glutathione‐mediated plant resistance to CN infection and the production of camalexin on nematode infection. These results suggest that glutathione levels affect plant resistance to CN by fine‐tuning the balance between the cellular redox environment and the production of compounds related to defence against infection.
Middle to late Holocene sedimentary filling history of the Sebkha el Melah in south‐eastern Tunisia
Authors: Ben Ameur Mariem , Masmoudi Sameh , Omar Hamdi , Ouameni Imen , Medhioub Mounir , Yaich Chokri
Published: March 2022

The sedimentological and geochemical properties of a 146 cm long sediment core collected from Sebkha el Melah (Ml core) in south‐eastern Tunisia have been used to infer the genesis and evolution of the Sebkha el Melah over the last 5000 years. Two main sedimentary units have been defined: a huntite [Mg3Ca(CO3)4] unit at the bottom of core Ml is covered by a second unit made up of siliciclastic and evaporitic materials. The huntite level is synchronous with Holocene marine transgression, which was followed by a regression of about 5300 years bp. Geochemical data (major and trace element), magnetic analyses, grain‐size distribution and microtexture of quartz grains were performed to assess the sediment provenance. The upper unit of Ml core is characterized by alternations between fluvial, aeolian and evaporite deposits. Redox proxies displaying marked Fe/Ca and Rb/S peaks, in addition to high magnetic susceptibility (MS) values, polymodal grain‐size frequency curves, as well as sub‐angular grains with V‐shaped percussion cracks, are suggestive of palaeohydrological events. In contrast, a decreasing trend in the low MS values, bi‐modal grain‐size frequency curves as well as well‐rounded quartz grains with crescent percussion marks would indicate enhanced aeolian sand input in the sebkah el Melah sequence. Moreover, geochemical proxies suggest formation of evaporite facies under a strongly warm climate contemporary with marine intrusion.