bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus and health-related quality of life: a systematic review
Authors: Poku Edith , Harnan Sue , Rooney Gill , James Marrissa Martyn-St , Hernández-Alava Mónica , Schaufler Thilo , Thokala Praveen , Fotheringham James
Published: November 2021

Background

Chronic kidney disease–associated pruritus (CKD-aP) is a common and burdensome condition for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients, especially those receiving haemodialysis. High-quality evidence of the relationship between CKD-aP and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) can therefore inform clinicians and policymakers about treatment choice and reimbursement decisions.

Methods

A systematic literature review and narrative synthesis stratified by study design and HRQoL instrument was conducted to evaluate in adult ESKD patients receiving in-centre haemodialysis the relationship between CKD-aP and HRQoL assessed using multi dimensional generic or condition-specific preference- or non-preference-based measures. MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, BIOSIS Citation Index, Cochrane Library and PsycINFO from inception to March 2020 were searched, with two reviewers extracting data independently.

Results

Searches identified 2684 unique records, of which 20 papers relating to 18 unique studies [5 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and 13 observational studies] were included. HRQoL was assessed using four generic and eight disease-specific measures. The impact of CKD-aP was assessed by comparison of means, linear regression and correlation. Observational studies employing comprehensively adjusted multivariable linear regression largely found associations between CKD-aP severities and HRQoL. Analyses suggest this relationship is partially mediated by the sleep disturbance caused by CKD-aP. RCTs showing improvements in CKD-aP severity were associated with clinically meaningful improvements in HRQoL. Compared with generic measures, disease-specific HRQoL instruments reported greater changes with reduced CKD-aP. Heterogeneity in study design and reporting precluded meta-analysis.

Conclusions

CKD-aP severity was found to be associated with a worsening of HRQoL in the majority of observational and RCT studies. Parallel improvements in CKD-aP and HRQoL with interventions may support their use (PROSPERO registration 175035).
On Criticising The Knox Bible
Authors: Horne Andrew J
Published: November 2021

Ronald Knox’s 1955 translation of the Latin Vulgate met with an overall lackluster reception. Yet critics were never able to agree on what was wrong, or even what the translation was like. Some found Knox modern, others old-fashioned. Some criticised him for departing from the Challoner Douay-Rheims, others for not translating the Hebrew and Greek. Through collation and close reading of reviews, this article traces the clash of expectations that led to the spotty reception of the Knox Bible. Though some took a conservative line, others an aggiornamento line, Knox’s audience largely lacked a way to categorise his readable, rhetorical, designedly atemporal, and unashamedly individualist translation.
Association of baseline and change in global longitudinal strain by computed tomography with post-transcatheter aortic valve replacement outcomes
Authors: Fukui Miho , Hashimoto Go , Lopes Bernardo B C , Stanberry Larissa I , Garcia Santiago , Gössl Mario , Enriquez-Sarano Maurice , Bapat Vinayak N , Sorajja Paul , Lesser John R , Cavalcante João L
Published: November 2021

Aims

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedural planning requires computed tomography angiography (CTA) which allows for the assessment of left ventricular global longitudinal strain (CTA-LVGLS). There is, however, limited data on the feasibility of CTA-LVGLS, and its prognostic value. This study sought to evaluate the incremental prognostic value of baseline CTA-LVGLS, change in CTA-LVGLS after TAVR, and their association with post-TAVR outcomes.

Methods and results

A total of 431 patients who underwent multiphasic gated CTA using dual-source system for TAVR planning at baseline and 1-month follow-up were included [median (interquartile range) age, 83 (77–87) years; 44% female, STS-PROM score: 3.3 (2.3–5.1)%, Echo-left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF): 60 (55–65)%, CTA-LVGLS: −18.0 (−21.6 to −14.2)%, feasible in 97% of patients]. CTA-LVGLS was measured using dedicated feature-tracking software. Over a median follow-up of 19 (13–27) months, 99 endpoints of all-cause death or heart failure hospitalization occurred. The relative hazard of the endpoint increased as baseline CTA-LVGLS worsened with −18.2% as the threshold for higher events (P = 0.005). After adjustment for baseline characteristics, CTA-LVGLS remained associated with the endpoint [hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval, CI), 1.08 (1.03–1.14); P = 0.005] and incrementally improved prognostication (C-index difference, 0.026). Although CTA-LVGLS improved after TAVR [−18.3 (−21.6 to −14.3)% vs. −18.7 (−21.9 to −15.4)%, P < 0.001], patients without CTA-LVGLS improvement had higher risk of the endpoint than those with improvement or preserved baseline global longitudinal strain [HR (95% CI), 1.92 (1.19–3.12); P = 0.008].

Conclusions

In this predominantly low-risk TAVR cohort of patients, mostly with normal LVEF, assessment of CTA-LVGLS is highly feasible improving risk stratification by providing independent and incremental prognostic value over clinical and echocardiographic characteristics.
Coexistence of calcified- and lipid-containing plaque components and their association with incidental rupture points in acute coronary syndrome-causing culprit lesions: results from the prospective OPTICO-ACS study
Authors: Abdelwahed Youssef S , Nelles Gregor , Frick Clara , Seppelt Claudio , Meteva Denitsa , Stähli Barbara E , Rai Himanshu , Riedel Matthias , Skurk Carsten , Rauch-Kröhnert Ursula , Haghikia Arash , Sinning David , Dreger Henryk , Knebel Fabian , Trippel Tobias , Krisper Maximillian , Klotsche Jens , Joner Michael , Landmesser Ulf , Leistner David M
Published: November 2021

Aims

Rupture of the fibrous cap (RFC) represents the main pathophysiological mechanism causing acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Destabilization due to plaque biomechanics is considered to be importantly involved, exact mechanisms triggering plaque ruptures are, however, unknown. This study aims at characterizing the relation between plaque components and rupture points at ACS-causing culprit lesions in a large cohort of ACS-patients assessed by high-resolution intracoronary imaging.

Methods and results

Within the prospective, multicentric OPTICO-ACS study program, the ACS-causing culprit plaques of 282 consecutive patients were investigated following a standardized optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging protocol. Each pullback was assessed on a frame-by-frame basis for the presence of lipid components (LC), calcium components (CC), and coexistence of both LC and CC (LCC) by two independent OCT-core labs. Of the 282 ACS-patients, 204 patients (72.3%) presented with ACS caused by culprit lesions with rupture of the fibrous cap (RFC-ACS) and 27.7% patients had ACS caused by culprit lesions with intact fibrous cap (IFC-ACS). When comparing RFC-ACS to IFC-ACS, a preferential occurrence of all three plaque components (LC, CC, and LCC) in RFC-ACS became apparent (P < 0.001). Within ruptured culprit lesions, the zone straight at the rupture point [extended rupture zone (RZ)] was characterized by similar (24.7% vs. 24.0%; P = ns) calcium content when compared with the proximal and distal border of the culprit lesion [border zone (BZ)]. The RZ displayed a significantly higher amount of both, LC (100% vs. 69.8%; P < 0.001) and LCC (22.7% vs. 6.8%; P < 0.001), when compared with the BZ. The relative component increase towards the RZ was particularly evident for LCC (+233.8%), while LC showed only a modest increase (+43.3%).

Conclusions

Calcified- and lipid-containing components characterize ruptured fibrous cap ACS-causing culprit lesions. Their coexistence is accelerated directly at the ruptured point, suggesting a pathophysiological contribution in the development of RFC-ACS.
Immediate Risk for Cardiovascular Events in Hip Fracture Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Hsu Warrington W Q , Sing Chor-Wing , Li Gloria H Y , Tan Kathryn C B , Cheung Bernard M Y , Wong Janus S H , Wong Ian Chi-Kei , Cheung Ching-Lung
Published: November 2021

Background

Emerging evidence showed that bone metabolism and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are closely related. We previously observed a potential immediate risk of cardiovascular mortality after hip fracture. However, whether there is an immediate risk of cardiovascular events after hip fracture is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) between patients having experienced falls with and without hip fracture.

Methods

This retrospective population-based cohort study used data from a centralized electronic health record database managed by Hong Kong Hospital Authority. Patients having experienced falls with and without hip fracture were matched by propensity score (PS) at a 1:1 ratio. Adjusted associations between hip fracture and risk of MACEs were evaluated using competing risk regression after accounting for competing risk of death.

Results

Competing risk regression showed that hip fracture was associated with increased 1-year risk of MACEs (hazard ratio [HR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–1.33; p < .001), with a 1-year cumulative incidence difference of 2.40% (1.94%–2.87%). The HR was the highest in the first 90-days after hip fracture (HR of 1.32), and such an estimate was continuously reduced in 180 days, 270 days, and 1 year after hip fracture.

Conclusions

Hip fracture was associated with increased immediate risk of MACEs. This study suggested that a prompt evaluation of MACE among older adults aged 65 years and older who are diagnosed with hip fracture irrespectively of cardiovascular risk factors may be important, as early management may reduce subsequent risk of MACE.
Partner Care Arrangements and Well-Being in Mid- and Later Life: The Role of Gender Across Care Contexts
Authors: Floridi Ginevra , Quashie Nekehia T , Glaser Karen , Brandt Martina
Published: November 2021

Objectives

We assess gender moderation in the association between partner care arrangements and individuals’ well-being, and the extent to which gender differences vary across European care contexts.

Methods

We use 2015 data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe for 3,465 couples aged 50+, where at least 1 partner receives care. We assess gender differences in individuals’ life satisfaction and depressive symptoms across 5 partner care arrangements: solo-; shared formal; shared informal; outsourced formal; and outsourced informal care. We explore heterogeneity in the gendered associations across 4 care contexts: Northern, Western, Southern, and Eastern Europe.

Results

Sharing care with formal providers is associated with lower well-being among women than men, with a significant well-being “penalty” among Southern European women with partners in shared formal care. Outsourcing partner care to informal providers is associated with higher well-being than other care arrangements for men across care contexts, but with lower well-being for women in Southern Europe.

Discussion

Policies to support caregivers’ well-being need to be sensitive to the coordination of formal and informal caregiving support for men and women in their respective care contexts.
Program Practices Predict Intergenerational Interaction Among Children and Adults
Authors: Jarrott Shannon E , Turner Shelbie G , Juris Jill , Scrivano Rachel M , Weaver Raven H
Published: November 2021

Background and Objectives

Intergenerational programs, those engaging youth and adults of nonadjacent generations in shared programming for mutual benefit, are attracting increasing attention from funders, policymakers, and practitioners for the range of goals they can support. The mechanisms by which these goals are achieved are rarely studied. To address this gap, we analyzed the associations between specific intergenerational implementation practices and younger and older participant outcomes.

Research Design and Methods

Activity leaders at 5 sites serving adults and preschoolers received training to implement 14 evidence-based practices during intergenerational activities involving 84 adults (M = 75.25 years; range = 55–98) and 105 preschool participants (M = 3.26 years; range = 2–5) over 4 years. Measures of activity leaders’ implementation of these practices and participants’ behavioral responses to programming were gathered. We utilized multilevel modeling to test whether variations in implementation of practices were associated with variations in participants’ responses to programming on a session-by-session basis.

Results

For both preschool and adult participants, analyses revealed that the implementation of certain practices was associated with significantly more intergenerational interaction. When more practices were implemented reflecting factors of (a) participant pairing and (b) person-centered care, both child and adult intergenerational interactions were higher.

Discussion and Implications

Practices used by intergenerational activity leaders during programming help to explain within-person responses of both child and adult participants. Intergenerational relationships may be a powerful means to achieve diverse goals; they depend on skillful practice by trained activity leaders.
Molecular alterations due to Col5a1 haploinsufficiency in a mouse model of classic Ehlers–Danlos syndrome
Authors: Machol Keren , Polak Urszula , Weisz-Hubshman Monika , Song I-Wen , Chen Shan , Jiang Ming-Ming , Chen-Evenson Yuqing , Weis Mary Ann E , Keene Douglas R , Eyre David R , Lee Brendan H
Published: November 2021

Type V collagen is a regulatory fibrillar collagen essential for type I collagen fibril nucleation and organization and its deficiency leads to structurally abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM). Haploinsufficiency of the Col5a1 gene encoding α(1) chain of type V collagen is the primary cause of classic Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS). The mechanisms by which this initial insult leads to the spectrum of clinical presentation are not fully understood. Using transcriptome analysis of skin and Achilles tendons from Col5a1 haploinsufficient (Col5a1+/−) mice, we recognized molecular alterations associated with the tissue phenotypes. We identified dysregulation of ECM components including thrombospondin-1, lysyl oxidase, and lumican in the skin of Col5a1+/− mice when compared with control. We also identified upregulation of transforming growth factor β1 (Tgf-β) in serum and increased expression of pSmad2 in skin from Col5a1+/− mice, suggesting Tgf-β dysregulation is a contributor to abnormal wound healing and atrophic scarring seen in classic EDS. Together, these findings support altered matrix to cell signaling as a component of the pathogenesis of the tissue phenotype in classic EDS and point out potential downstream signaling pathways that may be targeted for the treatment of this disease.
Shared genetic liability and causal effects between major depressive disorder and insomnia
Authors: Baranova Ancha , Cao Hongbao , Zhang Fuquan
Published: November 2021

Deciphering the genetic relationships between major depressive disorder (MDD) and insomnia may facilitate understanding biological mechanisms as well as inform more effective treatment regimens for these conditions. Here, we attempted to investigate mechanisms underlying relationships between MDD and insomnia in the context of shared genetic variations. Shared genetic variation was evaluated by polygenic analysis. In two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, causal relationships between MDD and insomnia were investigated; the list of shared genomic loci was identified using cross-trait meta-analysis. Putatively causal genes for the two diseases were prioritized by fine-mapping of transcriptome-wide associations. Polygenic analysis identified 15.1 thousand variants as causally influencing MDD, and 10.8 thousand variants as influencing insomnia. Among these variants, 8.5 thousand were shared between the two diseases. MR analysis suggests that genetic liability to MDD and to insomnia have mutual causal effects [MDD on insomnia with odds ratio (OR) = 1.25 and insomnia on MDD with OR = 2.23]. Cross-trait meta-analyses identified 89 genomic loci as being shared between MDD and insomnia, with some of them being prioritized as causal in subsequent fine-mapping of transcriptome-wide association signals. Analysis highlights possible role of endogenous production of nitric oxide in the brain, and the gonadotropic secretion in the pituitary as possibly physiological connectors of MDD and insomnia. Here, we show a substantial shared genetic liability and mutual causal links between MDD and insomnia. Presented findings provide novel insight into phenotypic relationship between these two interconnected conditions.
Local recruitment of Atlantic cod and putative source spawning areas in a coastal seascape
Authors: Synnes Ann-Elin Wårøy , Huserbråten Mats , Knutsen Halvor , Jorde Per Erik , Sodeland Marte , Moland Even
Published: November 2021

Increased knowledge on connectivity is crucial to our understanding of the population dynamics, genetic structure, and biogeography of many coastal species. In coastal marine populations, the main factor for structuring is thought to be the degree of isolation and confinement, limiting genetic exchange between populations. However, many offshore populations use the coastal areas as nursery grounds, but venture back to natal spawning grounds as adults. Therefore, increased knowledge on the connectivity between coastal and offshore populations is crucial to ensure correct assessment of coastal living resources. Here, we combine genetic assignment data of Atlantic cod recruits sampled in 2017 and 2018 (as 0- and 1-group cod, respectively) in outer Oslofjord (eastern Skagerrak) with a biophysical model for the Skagerrak region over the time period from spawning to settlement in 2017. We located the most probable spawning locations of Atlantic cod recruits by “back-tracking” larval drift trajectories and found putative source areas on both sides of the outer Oslofjord, as well as potential upstream sources in the North Sea and Kattegat. Findings are discussed with regards to suitable management strategies and potential for restoration of coastal cod populations.
Using local ecological knowledge to inform semi-quantitative fishery surveillance indicators: an example in marine recreational angling
Authors: Shephard Samuel , Ryan Diarmuid , O'Reilly Paul , Roche Willie
Published: November 2021

Small scale and recreational fisheries often lack quantitative monitoring, highlighting potential for other reproducible ways of understanding state. The Fisher's Local Ecological Knowledge Surveillance Indicator (FLEKSI) method was developed here to express user's LEK as semi-quantitative fishery SI. FLEKSI was tested using an online questionnaire disseminated in 2021 to capture angler's knowledge of changing marine recreational fisheries around Ireland (Celtic Seas ecoregion). Sets of Likert questions evaluated four fishery descriptors (species, community, catch, and effort). Respondents were asked to report the subregion (Irish Sea, Celtic Sea, or West Coast) in which they usually fish, and the duration (y) of their angling “career.” Likert scores were reported as diverging bar charts, providing SI values that could be evaluated at different spatial or temporal scales. Respondents (N = 657) reported careers of up to > 41 years. ICES assessments of Celtic Seas demersal fish stocks targeted by anglers provide series of SSB/SSBBtrigger against which the FLEKSI SI were compared. FLEKSI suggested long term decline in all four fishery descriptors, and statistical analysis showed that this trend matched ICES assessment outputs averaged across target stocks of cod, pollack, whiting, and sea bass. FLEKSI provides a standardized framework for integrating user's ways of knowing into fishery monitoring.
Early signs of geographic spread of COVID-19: lessons learnt from outbreaks in Wuhan 2020 and Nanjing 2021
Authors: Xue Shan , Hua Yiwen , Lei Yanhui , Kong Lingcai , Zhou Menghan , Fan Lijun , Du Wei
Published: November 2021

Background

Knowing the spatiotemporal pattern of the early geographic spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) would inform the preparedness for a possible recurrence of COVID-19.

Methods

We ascertained the number of confirmed cases during the early spread of COVID-19 during the Wuhan outbreak in 2020 and the Nanjing outbreak in 2021.

Results

We observed a speeding-up pattern of geographic spread, in particular to cities of no particular orientation then outflowing to commercial cities during the first month of both the Wuhan and Nanjing outbreaks.

Conclusion

Re-emergence of COVID-19 indicates it is becoming endemic, with new outbreaks and a risk of increased transmission remaining a challenge to local public health institutions. Social distancing and lockdowns should continue in response to any potential widespread and focal outbreaks.
BRCA1 Variant Assessment Using a Simple Analytic Assay
Authors: Kim Daniel M , Feilotter Harriet E , Davey Scott K
Published: November 2021

Background

We previously developed a biological assay to accurately predict BRCA1 (BRCA1 DNA repair associated) mutation status, based on gene expression profiles of Epstein–Barr virus-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines. The original work was done using whole genome expression microarrays, and nearest shrunken centroids analysis. While these approaches are appropriate for model building, they are difficult to implement clinically, where more targeted testing and analysis are required for time and cost savings.

Methods

Here, we describe adaptation of the original predictor to use the NanoString nCounter platform for testing, with analysis based on the k-top scoring pairs (k-TSP) method.

Results

Assessing gene expression using the nCounter platform on a set of lymphoblastoid cell lines yielded 93.8% agreement with the microarray-derived data, and 87.5% overall correct classification of BRCA1 carriers and controls. Using the original gene expression microarray data used to develop our predictor with nearest shrunken centroids, we rebuilt a classifier based on the k-TSP method. This classifier relies on the relative expression of 10 pairs of genes, compared to the original 43 identified by nearest shrunken centroids (NSC), and was 96.2% concordant with the original training set prediction, with a 94.3% overall correct classification of BRCA1 carriers and controls.

Conclusions

The k-TSP classifier was shown to accurately predict BRCA1 status using data generated on the nCounter platform and is feasible for initiating a clinical validation.
Blood Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) Concentrations following Intensive Use of an Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizer
Authors: Reisfield Gary M , Teitelbaum Scott A , Jones Joseph T , Mason Dana , Bleiweis Max , Lewis Ben
Published: November 2021

Alcohol use disorders are prevalent in the USA and throughout the world. Monitoring for alcohol abstinence is useful in several clinical and forensic contexts. The direct alcohol biomarkers have the requisite sensitivity and specificity for abstinence monitoring. The relatively new direct biomarker phosphatidylethanol (PEth), measured in blood, is gaining increasing acceptance in monitoring abstinence from beverage alcohol consumption, but there remains little research addressing the potential for PEth formation consequent to incidental alcohol exposures. In the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, high-alcohol content hand sanitizer is a particularly important source of nonbeverage alcohol exposure. To assess the extent of alcohol absorption and subsequent formation of blood PEth related to intensive use of high alcohol content hand sanitizer, we recruited 15 participants to use a 70% ethyl alcohol-based hand sanitizer 24–100 times daily, for 12–13 consecutive days. Blood was analyzed for PEth 16:0/18:1 by liquid chromatography--tandem mass spectrometry. Our hypothesis that blood PEth concentrations would fail to reach a 20 ng/mL threshold was confirmed. This work adds to the nascent literature on the effects of incidental alcohol exposures on blood PEth formation.
What Does it Mean to Say that the Court of Justice is not a Human Rights Institution? A Critical Appraisal
Authors: Dawson Mark
Published: November 2021

What role does the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) and EU law play in elaborating the rights and principles embodied by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)? Over the last 20 years, human (or ‘fundamental’) rights have become a constant part of the way the CJEU interprets and applies EU law. In a period where fundamental rights and values are increasingly under threat both globally and in Europe, judicial institutions remain an important last bastion of protection. Commenting on Judge Rosas’ (2007) observation that the CJEU is not in fact a human rights Court, three critical questions are derived: The first question is the most related to this special issue. What does the development of the CJEU—an institution with human rights responsibilities—mean for general international human rights law? The second takes up Judge Rosas’ observation that the CJEU, unlike the Strasbourg Court, has extensive judicial responsibilities beyond human rights. What does the development of EU human rights law mean for EU law more broadly? Finally, if Judge Rosas is right that the CJEU is not a human rights Court, what does that mean for its relationship to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the other organs of the Council of Europe? In answer to this last question, the article cautiously advances the argument that the very fact that the CJEU is not a human rights Court implies a more robust role than Judge Rosas suggests for external review of EU law by international human rights bodies.
Twenty-Five Years on: Trauma, Peacebuilding and Lessons from Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Katila Anna
Published: November 2021

This review essay assesses two new books which will be of particular interest to human rights and peacebuilding practitioners working in post-conflict settings: Ann Petrila and Hasan Hasanović’s Voices from Srebrenica: Survivor Narratives of the Bosnian Genocide and Healing and Peacebuilding after War: Transforming Trauma in Bosnia and Herzegovina, edited by Julianne Funk, Nancy Good, and Marie E. Berry.
Active Music Therapy Following Acute Stroke: A Single-Arm Repeated Measures Study
Authors: Rushing Jessica , Capilouto Gilson , Dressler Emily V , Gooding Lori F , Lee Jessica , Olson Anne
Published: November 2021

Experiencing a stroke can lead to difficulties with emotion regulation and mood disorders like depression. It is well documented that poststroke depression (PSD) affects a third of all stroke survivors. Higher levels of depression and depressive symptoms are associated with less efficient use of rehabilitation services, poor functional outcomes, negative impacts on social participation, and increased mortality. Mood in the acute phases of stroke recovery may be a key factor influencing the depression trajectory with early depression predicting poor longitudinal outcomes. The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of one active music therapy (AMT) treatment on mood following a first-time ischemic stroke during acute hospitalization. Forty-four adults received AMT defined as music-making interventions that elicit and encourage active participation. The Faces Scale was used to assess mood immediately prior to and following the treatment. A significant change in mood was found following one treatment. Comment analysis indicated that participants viewed music therapy as a positive experience. Findings here support the use of brief AMT to provide early psychological support to stroke survivors. Continued investigation into the role of music therapy in early stroke recovery is recommended.
The Incidence of Breast Cancer Recurrence 10-32 Years After Primary Diagnosis
Authors: Pedersen Rikke Nørgaard , Esen Buket Öztürk , Mellemkjær Lene , Christiansen Peer , Ejlertsen Bent , Lash Timothy Lee , Nørgaard Mette , Cronin-Fenton Deirdre
Published: November 2021

Background

Extended, more effective breast cancer treatments have increased the prevalence of long-term survivors. We investigated the risk of late breast cancer recurrence (BCR), 10 years or more after primary diagnosis, and associations between patient and tumor characteristics at primary diagnosis and late BCR up to 32 years after primary breast cancer diagnosis.

Methods

Using the Danish Breast Cancer Group clinical database, we identified all women with an incident early breast cancer diagnosed during 1987-2004. We restricted to women who survived 10 years without a recurrence or second cancer (10-year disease-free survivors) and followed them from 10 years after breast cancer diagnosis date until late recurrence, death, emigration, second cancer, or December 31, 2018. We calculated incidence rates per 1000 person-years and cumulative incidences for late BCR, stratifying by patient and tumor characteristics. Using Cox regression, we calculated adjusted hazard ratios for late BCR accounting for competing risks.

Results

Among 36 924 women with breast cancer, 20 315 became 10-year disease-free survivors. Of these, 2595 developed late BCR (incidence rate = 15.53 per 1000 person-years, 95% confidence interval = 14.94 to 16.14; cumulative incidence = 16.6%, 95% confidence interval = 15.8% to 17.5%) from year 10 to 32 after primary diagnosis. Tumor size larger than 20 mm, lymph node–positive disease, and estrogen receptor–positive tumors were associated with increased cumulative incidences and hazards for late BCR.

Conclusions

Recurrences continued to occur up to 32 years after primary diagnosis. Women with high lymph node burden, large tumor size, and estrogen receptor–positive tumors had increased risk of late recurrence. Such patients may warrant extended surveillance, more aggressive treatment, or new therapy approaches.
Using breeding and quantitative genetics to understand the C4 pathway
Authors: Simpson Conor J C , Reeves Gregory , Tripathi Anoop , Singh Pallavi , Hibberd Julian M
Published: November 2021

Reducing photorespiration in C3 crops could significantly increase rates of photosynthesis and yield. One method to achieve this would be to integrate C4 photosynthesis into C3 species. This objective is challenging as it involves engineering incompletely understood traits into C3 leaves, including complex changes to their biochemistry, cell biology, and anatomy. Quantitative genetics and selective breeding offer underexplored routes to identify regulators of these processes. We first review examples of natural intraspecific variation in C4 photosynthesis as well as the potential for hybridization between C3 and C4 species. We then discuss how quantitative genetic approaches including artificial selection and genome-wide association could be used to better understand the C4 syndrome and in so doing guide the engineering of the C4 pathway into C3 crops.
A novel chicory fructanase can degrade common microbial fructan product profiles and displays positive cooperativity
Authors: Versluys Maxime , Porras-Domínguez Jaime Ricardo , De Coninck Tibo , Van Damme Els J M , Van den Ende Wim
Published: November 2021

Fructan metabolism in bacteria and plants relies on fructosyltransferases and fructanases. Plant fructanases (fructan exohydrolase, FEH) only hydrolyse terminal fructose residues. Levan (β-2,6 linkages) is the most abundant fructan type in bacteria. Dicot fructan accumulators, such as chicory (Cichorium intybus), accumulate inulin (β-2,1 linkages), harbouring several 1-FEH isoforms for their degradation. Here, a novel chicory fructanase with high affinity for levan was characterized, providing evidence that such enzymes widely occur in higher plants. It is adapted to common microbial fructan profiles, but has low affinity towards chicory inulin, in line with a function in trimming of microbial fructans in the extracellular environment. Docking experiments indicate the importance of an N-glycosylation site close to the active site for substrate specificity. Optimal pH and temperature for levan hydrolysis are 5.0 and 43.7 °C, respectively. Docking experiments suggested multiple substrate binding sites and levan-mediated enzyme dimerization, explaining the observed positive cooperativity. Alignments show a single amino acid shift in the position of a conserved DXX(R/K) couple, typical for sucrose binding in cell wall invertases. A possible involvement of plant fructanases in levan trimming is discussed, in line with the emerging ‘fructan detour’ concepts, suggesting that levan oligosaccharides act as signalling entities during plant-microbial interactions.
A machine learning approach to mapping baryons on to dark matter haloes using theeagleandC-EAGLEsimulations
Authors: Lovell Christopher C , Wilkins Stephen M , Thomas Peter A , Schaller Matthieu , Baugh Carlton M , Fabbian Giulio , Bahé Yannick
Published: November 2021

High-resolution cosmological hydrodynamic simulations are currently limited to relatively small volumes due to their computational expense. However, much larger volumes are required to probe rare, overdense environments, and measure clustering statistics of the large-scale structure. Typically, zoom simulations of individual regions are used to study rare environments, and semi-analytic models and halo occupation models applied to dark-matter-only (DMO) simulations are used to study the Universe in the large-volume regime. We propose a new approach, using a machine learning framework, to explore the halo–galaxy relationship in the periodic eagle simulations, and zoom C-EAGLE simulations of galaxy clusters. We train a tree-based machine learning method to predict the baryonic properties of galaxies based on their host dark matter halo properties. The trained model successfully reproduces a number of key distribution functions for an infinitesimal fraction of the computational cost of a full hydrodynamic simulation. By training on both periodic simulations and zooms of overdense environments, we learn the bias of galaxy evolution in differing environments. This allows us to apply the trained model to a larger DMO volume than would be possible if we only trained on a periodic simulation. We demonstrate this application using the (800 Mpc)3 P-Millennium simulation, and present predictions for key baryonic distribution functions and clustering statistics from the eagle model in this large volume.
A comprehensive chemical abundance analysis of the extremely metal poor Leoncino Dwarf galaxy (AGC 198691)
Authors: Aver Erik , Berg Danielle A , Hirschauer Alec S , Olive Keith A , Pogge Richard W , Rogers Noah S J , Salzer John J , Skillman Evan D
Published: November 2021

We re-examine the extremely metal-poor dwarf galaxy AGC 198691 using a high quality spectrum obtained by the LBT’s MODS instrument. Previous spectral observations obtained from KOSMOS on the Mayall 4-m and the Blue channel spectrograph on the MMT 6.5-m telescope did not allow for the determination of sulfur, argon, or helium abundances. We report an updated and full chemical abundance analysis for AGC 198691, including confirmation of the extremely low “direct” oxygen abundance with a value of 12 + log (O/H) = 7.06 ± 0.03. AGC 198691’s low metallicity potentially makes it a high value target for helping determine the primordial helium abundance (Yp). Though complicated by a Na i night sky line partially overlaying the He i λ5876 emission line, the LBT/MODS spectrum proved adequate for determining AGC 198691’s helium abundance. We employ the recently expanded and improved model of Aver et al., incorporating higher Balmer and Paschen lines, augmented by the observation of the infrared helium emission line He i λ10830 obtained by Hsyu et al. Applying our full model produced a reliable helium abundance determination, consistent with the expectation for its metallicity. Although this is the lowest metallicity object with a detailed helium abundance, unfortunately, due to its faintness [EW(Hβ) < 100 Å] and the compromised He i λ5876, the resultant uncertainty on the helium abundance is too large to allow a significant improvement on the measurement of Yp.
Chemical environments of 6.7 GHz methanol maser sources
Authors: Paulson Sonu Tabitha , Pandian Jagadheep D
Published: November 2021

6.7 GHz methanol masers are the brightest of class II methanol masers that are regarded as excellent signposts in the formation of young massive stars. We present here a molecular line study of 68 6.7 GHz methanol maser hosts chosen from the Methanol Multibeam survey catalogue, which have MALT90 data available. We performed (1) pixel-by-pixel study of 9 methanol maser sources that have high signal-to-noise ratio and (2) statistical study taking into account the entire 68 sources. We estimated the molecular column densities and abundances of N2H+(1–0), HCO+(1–0), HCN(1–0), and HNC(1–0) lines. The derived abundances are found to be in congruence with the typical values found towards high-mass star-forming regions. We derived the column density and abundance ratios between these molecular species as an attempt to unveil the evolutionary stage of methanol maser sources. We found the column density and abundance ratio of HCN to HNC to increase and that of N2H+ to HCO+ to decline with source evolution, as suggested by the chemical models. The HCN/HNC, N2H+/HCO+, HNC/HCO+, and N2H+/HNC ratios of the methanol maser sources are consistent with them being at a later evolutionary state than quiescent phase and possibly protostellar phase, but at an earlier stage than $\mathrm{H}\, \small {{\rm II}}$ regions and photo-dominated regions.
Mapping dark matter on the celestial sphere with weak gravitational lensing
Authors: Wallis Christopher G R , Price Matthew A , McEwen Jason D , Kitching Thomas D , Leistedt Boris , Plouviez Antoine
Published: November 2021

Convergence maps of the integrated matter distribution are a key science result from weak gravitational lensing surveys. To date, recovering convergence maps has been performed using a planar approximation of the celestial sphere. However, with the increasing area of sky covered by dark energy experiments, such as Euclid, the Vera Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, this assumption will no longer be valid. We recover convergence fields on the celestial sphere using an extension of the Kaiser–Squires estimator to the spherical setting. Through simulations, we study the error introduced by planar approximations. Moreover, we examine how best to recover convergence maps in the planar setting, considering a variety of different projections and defining the local rotations that are required when projecting spin fields such as cosmic shear. For the sky coverages typical of future surveys, errors introduced by projection effects can be of the order of tens of percent, exceeding 50 per cent in some cases. The stereographic projection, which is conformal and so preserves local angles, is the most effective planar projection. In any case, these errors can be avoided entirely by recovering convergence fields directly on the celestial sphere. We apply the spherical Kaiser–Squires mass-mapping method presented to the public Dark Energy Survey science verification data to recover convergence maps directly on the celestial sphere.
The scientific observation campaign of the Hayabusa-2 capsule re-entry
Authors: Sansom Eleanor K , Devillepoix Hadrien A R , Yamamoto Masa-yuki , Abe Shinsuke , Nozawa Satoshi , Towner Martin C , Cupák Martin , Hiramatsu Yoshihiro , Kawamura Taichi , Fujita Kazuhisa , Yoshikawa Makoto , Ishihara Yoshiaki , Hamama Islam , Segawa Norihisa , Kakinami Yoshihiro , Furumoto Muneyoshi , Katao Hiroshi , Inoue Yuichiro , Cool Andrew , Bonning Geoffrey , Howie Robert M , Bland Phil A
Published: November 2021

On 2020 December 5 at 17:28 UTC, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Hayabusa-2 sample return capsule came back to the Earth. It re-entered the atmosphere over South Australia, visible for 53 seconds as a fireball from near the Northern Territory border toward Woomera where it landed in the the Woomera military test range. A scientific observation campaign was planned to observe the optical, seismo-acoustic, radio, and high energy particle phenomena associated with the entry of an interplanetary object. A multi-institutional collaboration between Australian and Japanese universities resulted in the deployment of 49 instruments, with a further 13 permanent observation sites. The campaign successfully recorded optical, seismo-acoustic, and spectral data for this event which will allow an in-depth analysis of the effects produced by interplanetary objects impacting the Earth’s atmosphere. This will allow future comparison and insights to be made with natural meteoroid objects.
Axion cloud decay due to the axion–photon conversion with background magnetic fields
Authors: Yoo Chul-Moon , Naruko Atsushi , Sakurai Yusuke , Takahashi Keitaro , Takamori Yohsuke , Yamauchi Daisuke
Published: November 2021

We consider an axion cloud around a black hole with background magnetic fields. We calculate the decay rate of the axion cloud due to the axion–photon conversion associated with the axion–photon coupling. For simplicity, we consider the situation where the axion configuration is dominated by a solution for the eigenvalue equation equivalent to that for the hydrogen atom, and the coupling term can be evaluated by a successive perturbation method. For the monopole background, we find the decay rate of the axion cloud is given by ∼q2κ2(GM)5μ8, where μ, M, G, κ, and q are the axion mass, black hole mass, gravitational constant, coupling constant of the axion–photon coupling, and monopole charge, respectively. For the uniform background magnetic field, we obtain the decay rate of the axion cloud $\sim B_0^2\kappa ^2 (GM)^7\mu ^6$, where B0 is the magnetic field strength. Applying our formula to the central black hole in our galaxy, we find that the value of the decay rate for the case of the uniform magnetic field is comparable to the growth rate of the superradiant instability with κ ∼ 10−12 GeV−1, B0 ∼ 103 G and μ ∼ 10−18 eV. The ratio is 105 times larger for the monopole magnetic field with the same values for the parameters.
Stomatal responses ofEucalyptusspp. under drought can be predicted with a gain–risk optimization model
Authors: Saunders Alta , Drew David M
Published: November 2021

The frequency and severity of drought events are expected to increase due to climate change, with optimal environmental conditions for forestry likely to shift. Modeling plant responses to a changing climate is therefore vital. We tested the process-based gain–risk model to predict stomatal responses to drought of two Eucalyptus hybrids. The process-based gain-risk model has the advantage that all the parameters used within the model are based on measurable plant traits. The gain-risk model proposes that plants optimize photosynthetic gain while minimizing a hydraulic cost. Previous versions of the model used hydraulic risk as a cost function; however, they did not account for delayed or reduced hydraulic recovery rates from embolism post-drought. Hydraulic recovery has been seen in many species, however it is still unclear how this inclusion of a partial or delayed hydraulic recovery would affect the predictive power of the gain-risk model. Many hydraulic parameters required by the model are also difficult to measure and are not freely available. We therefore tested a simplified gain-risk model that includes a delayed or reduced hydraulic recovery component post-drought. The simplified gain-risk model performed well at predicting stomatal responses in both Eucalyptus grandis × camaldulensis (GC) and Eucalyptus urophylla × grandis (UG). In this study two distinct strategies were seen between GC and UG, with GC being more resistant to embolism formation, however it could not recover hydraulic conductance compared with UG. The inclusion of a delayed or reduced hydraulic recovery component slightly improved model predictions for GC, however not for UG, which can be related to UG being able to recover lost hydraulic conductance and therefore can maintain stomatal conductance regardless of hydraulic risk. Even though the gain-risk model shows promise in predicting plant responses, more information is needed regarding hydraulic recovery after drought.
Phylogeny and revised classification of the saucer bugs (Hemiptera: Nepomorpha: Naucoridae)
Authors: Sites Robert W
Published: November 2021

The true bug infraorder Nepomorpha contains 11 families with classifications mostly using morphological features and not based on phylogenetic analyses. Presented here is the first molecular-based phylogeny for a family of Nepomorpha including more than half of the constituent taxa. Two nuclear (18S rRNA and 28S rRNA) and two mitochondrial (COI and COII) genes were used to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships with both Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood analyses. Ingroup taxa included all six subfamilies, 41 of the 43 genera, and 221 species and subspecies. Results of the analyses were mostly congruent and revealed Naucoridae to be monophyletic, but two of the subfamilies (Cheirochelinae and Naucorinae) and three genera (Heleocoris, Laccocoris and Naucoris) as polyphyletic. Two clades formerly in Naucorinae were recovered as distinct subfamily-level clades: Macrocorinae subfam. nov. contains the African Macrocoris and Neomacrocoris, and Ilyocorinae stat. nov. contains the Palaearctic Ilyocoris and Neotropical Placomerus. Laccocorinae is unchanged in its constituent membership, but its organization now includes four tribe-level groups. Limnocorinae and the recently revised Cryphocricinae and Ambrysinae are unchanged. An annotated list of all subfamily-, tribe- and genus-group taxa is presented, including new taxa descriptions, synonymies and new combinations.
t(14;18) Translocations in Dioxin-Exposed Workers
Authors: Hryhorczuk Daniel , Dardynskaia Irina , Hirt Carsten , Dardynskiy Oleg , Turner Wayman , Ruestow Peter , Bartell Scott , Steenland Kyle , Zvinchuk Oleksandr , Baccarelli Andrea A.
Published: November 2021

Objective:

To determine if occupational exposure to dioxins is associated with an increased frequency of t(14;18) translocations.

Methods:

A cross-sectional analysis of serum dioxin levels and t(14;18) frequencies in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 218 former chemical plant workers and 150 population controls.

Results:

The workers had significantly higher geometric mean serum levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD (26.2 vs 2.5 ppt) and TEQ (73.8 vs 17.7 ppt) than controls. There were no significant differences in the prevalence or frequency of t(14;18) translocations in the workers compared to controls. Among former workers with current or past chloracne who were t(14;18) positive, the frequency of translocations significantly increased with quartiles of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and TEQ.

Conclusion:

Chloracne appears to modulate the association between dioxin exposure and increased frequency of t(14;18) translocations.