bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biostimulant application in the cultivation of cucumber (Cucumis sativus l.): A case study of Andijan region
Authors: Baratova M , Kosimova Sh , Bustonova S , Baratova M
Published: December 2021

This article describes the results of the conducted field experiment by using biostimulants “Uchkun”, “Super Uchkun”, “Gossipren” and “Verva” on cucumber varieties (Orzu) in Andijan region and the effect on the increase of productivity. It was revealed that the pre-sowing treatment of cucumber seeds with biostimulants promoted a significant increase in seed germination and growth processes. The most effective growth stimulant on Orzu cucumber was Super Uchkun. On average, the yield of cucumber when treated with biostimulants increased by 10.28%; 23.8%; 24.27% and 14.29%, respectively; while the yield increase was 1.3, 2.3, 2.7, and 0.9 t/ha, respectively.
Linking health service utilisation and mortality data—unravelling what happens after fall-related paramedic care
Authors: Mikolaizak A Stefanie , Harvey Lara , Toson Barbara , Lord Stephen R , Tiedemann Anne , Howard Kirsten , Close Jacqueline C T
Published: December 2021

Background

A randomised controlled trial implemented and evaluated a new model of care for non-transported older fallers to prevent future falls and unplanned health service use. This current study uses linked data to evaluate the effects of the intervention beyond the initial 12-month study period.

Method

Study data from an established cohort of 221 adults were linked to administrative data from NSW Ambulance, Emergency Department Data Collection, Admitted Patient Data Collection and Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages evaluating health service use at 12, 24 and 36 months following randomisation including time to event (health service utilisation) and mortality. Negative binomial and Cox’s proportional hazard regression were performed to capture the impact of the study between groups and adherence status.

Results

At 36 months follow-up, 89% of participants called an ambulance, 87% attended the Emergency Department and 91% were admitted to hospital. There were no significant differences in all-cause health service utilisation between the control and intervention group (IG) at 12, 24 and 36 months follow-up. Fall-related health service use was significantly higher within the IG at 12 (IRR:1.40 (95%CI:1.01–1.94) and 24 months (IRR:1.43 (95%CI:1.05–1.95)). Medication use, impaired balance and previous falls were associated with subsequent health service use. Over 40% of participants died by the follow-up period with risk of death lower in the IG at 36 months (HR:0.64, 95%CI:0.45–0.91).

Conclusion

Non-transported fallers have a high risk of future health service use for fall and other medical-related reasons. Interventions which address this risk need to be further explored.
Anatomy of a Cyberattack: Part 2: Managing a Clinical Pathology Laboratory During 25 Days of Downtime
Authors: Goodwin Andrew , Wilburn Clayton , Wojewoda Christina , Mesec Jessica , Cacciatore Lori S , Grove Staci-Anne , Hajder Armina , Stowman Anne M
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Our academic health care institution was the victim of a cyberattack that led to a complete shutdown of major patient care, operational, and communication systems, including our electronic health record (EHR), laboratory information system, pharmacy, scheduling, billing and coding, imaging software, internet, hospital shared computer drives, payroll, and digital communications. The EHR remained down for 25 days, significantly affecting our clinical pathology (CP) laboratory operations.

Methods

During the downtime, our CP laboratory incorporated manual interventions for patient specimen testing, recruited additional staff for reporting results, and employed multiple communication modalities to support patient care. The crisis required a swift response, employing innovative approaches to mitigate patient harm; regular, multidisciplinary engagement; and consistent, broad-reaching communications. CP leadership worked with hospital administration, staff, and our referral clients to provide the timely laboratory results needed for acute patient care.

Results

During this downtime, the laboratory lacked accurate information about the number of patient samples diverted to other laboratories, the number of specimens processed, and the number of test results reported.

Conclusions

This paper focuses on the approaches the CP division took to develop and maintain downtime operations. Laboratories should consider these strategies in preparation for a prolonged downtime.
Advancing Equity in Blood Pressure Control: A Response to the Surgeon General’s Call-to-Action
Authors: Colvin Calvin L , Kalejaiye Ayoola , Ogedegbe Gbenga , Commodore-Mensah Yvonne
Published: December 2021

Hypertension is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although controlling blood pressure reduces cardiovascular and stroke mortality and target organ damage, poor blood pressure control remains a clinical and public health challenge. Furthermore, racial and ethnic disparities in the outcomes of hypertension are well documented. In October of 2020, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services published The Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Control Hypertension. The Call to Action emphasized, among other priorities, the need to eliminate disparities in the treatment and control of high blood pressure and to address social determinants as root causes of inequities in blood pressure control and treatment. In support of the goals set in the Call to Action, this review summarizes contemporary research on racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in hypertension and blood pressure control; describes interventions and policies that have improved blood pressure control in minoritized populations by addressing the social determinants of health; and proposes next steps for achieving equity in hypertension and blood pressure control.
Alcohol Misuse among English Youth, Are Harms Attributable to Alcohol or to Underlying Disinhibitory Characteristics?
Authors: McArdle Paul , Coulton Simon , Kaner Eileen , Gilvarry Eilish , Drummond Colin
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Alcohol use by young people is associated with a range of psychological and physical harms. However, similar harms are also reported with disinhibitory conditions such as conduct problems that are said to precede and predispose to alcohol misuse. We explored whether alcohol use or indicators of underlying disinhibition predict psychological and physical harms in a cohort of young people.

Methods

We used data from a randomised controlled intervention trial that identified young people who consumed alcohol (n = 756), mean age = 15.6 years, attending emergency departments (EDs) in England. Disinhibition was measured by the self-report Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire hyperactivity and conduct problem items, and alcohol-related harms by questions from the ESPAD, a major European school survey. We conducted a mediation analysis with a primary outcome of frequency of engaging in alcohol-related harms 12 months after screening in ED, exploring for the mediating influence of alcohol consumed at six months. We included age, gender, allocated group and baseline consumption as covariates and adjusted for the multi-level nature of the study, where young people were nested within EDs.

Results

Conduct problems and to a lesser extent hyperactivity predicted harms at twelve months. This effect was not mediated by alcohol consumed at 6 months.

Conclusions

Among young drinkers underlying behavioural attributes predict harm independently of alcohol use. This suggests that the harms associated with alcohol use are attributable more to underlying disinhibitory characteristics than the quantity of alcohol consumed.
Factors Associated with Adolescents’ Support for Product Information and Health Messaging on Alcohol Packaging: A Cross-Sectional Study in the United Kingdom
Authors: Peddireddy Snigdha , Boniface Sadie , Critchlow Nathan , Newberry Le Vay Jessica , Severi Katherine , Vohra Jyotsna
Published: December 2021

Aims

Adolescents in the UK are among the heaviest drinkers in Europe. The World Health Organization recommends alcohol product labelling to inform consumers about product information and health risks associated with alcohol use. This study investigates support for product information and health messaging on alcohol packaging among UK adolescents.

Methods

The 2019 UK Youth Alcohol Policy Survey was an online cross-sectional survey among 3388 adolescents aged 11–19. Participants indicated their support for seven forms of messaging on packaging (e.g. number of alcohol units, links to health conditions). Logistic regression models investigated associations between support for each of the seven forms and alcohol use, perceived risks of alcohol use, and previous exposure to messaging.

Results

Between 60 and 79% of adolescents were supportive of different aspects of product labelling. Compared to lower-risk drinkers, higher-risk drinkers (AUDIT-C 5+) had higher odds of supporting including the number of alcohol units (OR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.31–2.54), calories (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.04–1.68), and strength of the product (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.19–2.52) but lower odds of supporting including information on alcohol-related health conditions (OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.53–0.87). Adolescents who perceived risks of alcohol use more strongly were more likely to support all forms of product information and messaging.

Conclusions

The majority of adolescents supported improved alcohol labelling. Higher-risk drinkers were supportive of improved product information but less supportive of health-related messaging. Adolescents who believe alcohol carries health risks were more likely to support messaging.
Complex polyploid and hybrid species in an apomictic and sexual tropical forage grass group: genomic composition and evolution in Urochloa (Brachiaria) species
Authors: Tomaszewska Paulina , Vorontsova Maria S , Renvoize Stephen A , Ficinski Sarah Z , Tohme Joseph , Schwarzacher Trude , Castiblanco Valheria , de Vega José J , Mitchell Rowan A C , Heslop-Harrison J S (Pat)
Published: December 2021

Background and Aims

Diploid and polyploid Urochloa (including Brachiaria, Panicum and Megathyrsus species) C4 tropical forage grasses originating from Africa are important for food security and the environment, often being planted in marginal lands worldwide. We aimed to characterize the nature of their genomes, the repetitive DNA and the genome composition of polyploids, leading to a model of the evolutionary pathways within the group including many apomictic species.

Methods

Some 362 forage grass accessions from international germplasm collections were studied, and ploidy was determined using an optimized flow cytometry method. Whole-genome survey sequencing and molecular cytogenetic analysis were used to identify chromosomes and genomes in Urochloa accessions belonging to the ‘brizantha’ and ‘humidicola’ agamic complexes and U. maxima.

Key Results

Genome structures are complex and variable, with multiple ploidies and genome compositions within the species, and no clear geographical patterns. Sequence analysis of nine diploid and polyploid accessions enabled identification of abundant genome-specific repetitive DNA motifs. In situ hybridization with a combination of repetitive DNA and genomic DNA probes identified evolutionary divergence and allowed us to discriminate the different genomes present in polyploids.

Conclusions

We suggest a new coherent nomenclature for the genomes present. We develop a model of evolution at the whole-genome level in diploid and polyploid accessions showing processes of grass evolution. We support the retention of narrow species concepts for Urochloa brizantha, U. decumbens and U. ruziziensis, and do not consider diploids and polyploids of single species as cytotypes. The results and model will be valuable in making rational choices of parents for new hybrids, assist in use of the germplasm for breeding and selection of Urochloa with improved sustainability and agronomic potential, and assist in measuring and conserving biodiversity in grasslands.
protti: an R package for comprehensive data analysis of peptide- and protein-centric bottom-up proteomics data
Authors: Quast Jan-Philipp , Schuster Dina , Picotti Paola
Published: December 2021

We present a flexible, user-friendly R package called protti for comprehensive quality control, analysis and interpretation of quantitative bottom-up proteomics data. protti supports the analysis of protein-centric data such as those associated with protein expression analyses, as well as peptide-centric data such as those resulting from limited proteolysis-coupled mass spectrometry analysis. Due to its flexible design, it supports analysis of label-free, data-dependent, data-independent and targeted proteomics datasets. protti can be run on the output of any search engine and software package commonly used for bottom-up proteomics experiments such as Spectronaut, Skyline, MaxQuant or Proteome Discoverer, adequately exported to table format.

Availability and implementation

protti is implemented as an open-source R package. Release versions are available via CRAN (https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=protti) and work on all major operating systems. The development version is maintained on GitHub (https://github.com/jpquast/protti). Full documentation including examples is provided in the form of vignettes on our package website (jpquast.github.io/protti/).
A random forest classifier for protein–protein docking models
Authors: Barradas-Bautista Didier , Cao Zhen , Vangone Anna , Oliva Romina , Cavallo Luigi
Published: December 2021

Herein, we present the results of a machine learning approach we developed to single out correct 3D docking models of protein–protein complexes obtained by popular docking software. To this aim, we generated 3×104 docking models for each of the 230 complexes in the protein–protein benchmark, version 5, using three different docking programs (HADDOCK, FTDock and ZDOCK), for a cumulative set of ≈7×106 docking models. Three different machine learning approaches (Random Forest, Supported Vector Machine and Perceptron) were used to train classifiers with 158 different scoring functions (features). The Random Forest algorithm outperformed the other two algorithms and was selected for further optimization. Using a features selection algorithm, and optimizing the random forest hyperparameters, allowed us to train and validate a random forest classifier, named COnservation Driven Expert System (CoDES). Testing of CoDES on independent datasets, as well as results of its comparative performance with machine learning methods recently developed in the field for the scoring of docking decoys, confirm its state-of-the-art ability to discriminate correct from incorrect decoys both in terms of global parameters and in terms of decoys ranked at the top positions.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics Advances online.

Software and data availability statement

The docking models are available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.4012018. The programs underlying this article will be shared on request to the corresponding authors.
CellMeSH: probabilistic cell-type identification using indexed literature
Authors: Mao Shunfu , Zhang Yue , Seelig Georg , Kannan Sreeram
Published: December 2021

Motivation

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is widely used for analyzing gene expression in multi-cellular systems and provides unprecedented access to cellular heterogeneity. scRNA-seq experiments aim to identify and quantify all cell types present in a sample. Measured single-cell transcriptomes are grouped by similarity and the resulting clusters are mapped to cell types based on cluster-specific gene expression patterns. While the process of generating clusters has become largely automated, annotation remains a laborious ad hoc effort that requires expert biological knowledge.

Results

Here, we introduce CellMeSH—a new automated approach to identifying cell types for clusters based on prior literature. CellMeSH combines a database of gene–cell-type associations with a probabilistic method for database querying. The database is constructed by automatically linking gene and cell-type information from millions of publications using existing indexed literature resources. Compared to manually constructed databases, CellMeSH is more comprehensive and is easily updated with new data. The probabilistic query method enables reliable information retrieval even though the gene–cell-type associations extracted from the literature are noisy. CellMeSH is also able to optionally utilize prior knowledge about tissues or cells for further annotation improvement. CellMeSH achieves top-one and top-three accuracies on a number of mouse and human datasets that are consistently better than existing approaches.

Availability and implementation

Web server at https://uncurl.cs.washington.edu/db_query and API at https://github.com/shunfumao/cellmesh.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Variation in size and shape sexual dimorphism in the Sceloporus scalaris species group (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae) from the Transvolcanic Belt of Mexico
Authors: Cruz-Elizalde Raciel , Ramírez-Bautista Aurelio , Lozano Abraham , Velasco Julián A , Octavio-Aguilar Pablo , Berriozabal-Islas Christian
Published: December 2021

We attempted to identify the factors influencing size and shape dimorphism between sexes, as well as among populations and species in the Sceloporus scalaris group (Sceloporus aeneus, S. scalaris, S. bicanthalis and S. subniger). Our analysis focused on five morphological characteristics: snout–vent length, head length, head width, forearm length and tibia length. The effect of environmental variables (precipitation and temperature) on these variables was also tested. We found differences in morphological traits between sexes, and among populations of the same species. The oviparous species (S. aeneus and S. scalaris) were larger in overall body size than the viviparous species (S. bicanthalis and S. subniger). Differences in overall body size among populations were recorded only in S. aeneus and S. scalaris. Male-biased sexual size dimorphism occurred in oviparous but not viviparous lizards (except for one population of S. bicanthalis). An absence of sexual size dimorphism was also recorded in S. subniger and some populations of the remaining species. Two different shape patterns were found; the first was female-biased with larger relative body length in almost all populations, which could be explained by fecundity, and the second was male-biased with relatively larger head and limbs in a few populations, which may be explained by sexual selection. The patterns of sexual size and shape dimorphism show that environment, rather than phylogeny, may be determining the extent of sexual dimorphism. These types of studies show the importance of an integrated evaluation of interpopulation and interspecies variation to determine the factors that generate sexual dimorphism.
Urban housing affordability, economic disadvantage and racial disparities in gun violence: A neighbourhood analysis in four US cities
Authors: Stansfield Richard , Semenza Daniel
Published: December 2021

This study seeks to examine how urban affordability, and related issues of eviction and joblessness, are associated with gun violence in the United States. After discussing the theoretical importance of studying housing affordability, we provide a preliminary examination of how urban affordability moderates the relationship between other markers of economic disadvantage and gun violence. This study further considers whether these different indicators of disadvantage are associated with gun violence differently by majority Black and majority White neighbourhoods. This study rests on neighbourhood-level data from 4 large US cities. Through a series of fixed-effects models, our results reveal that changes in affordability are significantly associated with rising gun violence in general, particularly in majority Black neighbourhoods. Furthermore, joblessness and eviction are less influential in shaping gun violence in more affordable neighbourhoods, but more consequential in communities facing higher rent burdens. The study reiterates several recommendations about reducing unaffordability in urban communities, as well as recommending several avenues for future research on urban violence.
Tobacco carcinogen 4-[methyl(nitroso)amino]-1-(3-pyridinyl)-1-butanone (NNK) drives metabolic rewiring and epigenetic reprograming in A/J mice lung cancer model and prevention with diallyl sulphide (DAS)
Authors: Hudlikar Rasika R , Sargsyan Davit , Cheng David , Kuo Hsiao-Chen Dina , Wu Renyi , Su Xiaoyang , Kong Ah-Ng
Published: December 2021

Early detection of biomarkers in lung cancer is one of the best preventive strategies. Although many attempts have been made to understand the early events of lung carcinogenesis including cigarette smoking (CS) induced lung carcinogenesis, the integrative metabolomics and next-generation sequencing approaches are lacking. In this study, we treated the female A/J mice with CS carcinogen 4-[methyl(nitroso)amino]-1-(3-pyridinyl)-1-butanone (NNK) and naturally occurring organosulphur compound, diallyl sulphide (DAS) for 2 and 4 weeks after NNK injection and examined the metabolomic and DNA CpG methylomic and RNA transcriptomic profiles in the lung tissues. NNK drives metabolic changes including mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) metabolites and pathways including Nicotine and its derivatives like nicotinamide and nicotinic acid. RNA-seq analysis and Reactome pathway analysis demonstrated metabolism pathways including Phase I and II drug metabolizing enzymes, mitochondrial oxidation and signaling kinase activation pathways modulated in a sequential manner. DNA CpG methyl-seq analyses showed differential global methylation patterns of lung tissues from week 2 versus week 4 in A/J mice including Adenylate Cyclase 6 (ADCY6), Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 3 (Rac3). Oral DAS treatment partially reversed some of the mitochondrial metabolic pathways, global methylation and transcriptomic changes during this early lung carcinogenesis stage. In summary, our result provides insights into CS carcinogen NNK’s effects on driving alterations of metabolomics, epigenomics and transcriptomics and the chemopreventive effect of DAS in early stages of sequential lung carcinogenesis in A/J mouse model.
Clinical assessment of olfactory function
Authors: Hummel Thomas , Podlesek Dino
Published: December 2021

Approximately 5% of the general population is affected by functional anosmia with approximately additional 15% exhibiting decreased olfactory function. Many of these individuals ask for help. Because the subjective rating of olfactory function is biased, assessment of olfactory function is important. Olfactory measurements are needed for patient counseling and the tracking of changes in the sense of smell over time. The present review provides an overview of frequently used psychophysical tests for olfactory function, discusses differences between threshold and suprathreshold aspects of olfactory function, and gives examples on how to apply psychophysical tests.
Interpretation of Relative Efficacy and Effectiveness for Influenza Vaccines
Authors: Lewis Nathaniel M , Chung Jessie R , Uyeki Timothy M , Grohskopf Lisa , Ferdinands Jill M , Patel Manish M
Published: December 2021

Background

Relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) are metrics commonly reported to compare absolute VE (aVE) of 2 vaccine products.

Methods

Estimates of rVE for enhanced influenza vaccines (eIV) vs standard inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) have been assessed across different seasons, influenza-specific endpoints, and nonspecific endpoints (eg, all-cause cardiovascular hospitalizations). To illustrate the challenges of comparability across studies, we conducted a scenario analysis to evaluate the effects of varying absolute VE (aVE) of IIV (ie, as compared with placebo) on the interpretation of rVE of eIV vs IIV.

Results

We show that estimates of rVE might not be comparable across studies because additional benefits commensurate with a given estimate of rVE are dependent on the aVE for the comparator vaccine, which can depend on factors such as host response to vaccine, virus type, and clinical endpoint evaluated.

Conclusions

These findings have implications for interpretation of rVE across studies and for sample size considerations in future trials.
Social positioning and the pursuit of power
Authors: Ornelas Martins Nuno
Published: December 2021

Tony Lawson has recently advanced a theory of social positioning, in terms of which various aspects of social reality are conceptualised. A central idea of the theory of social positioning is that social relations are ultimately power relationships, which structure how social phenomena are organised. This article further explores this idea, while also conceptualising various forms of power, such as coercion, manipulation, domination and subjectification, drawing on the theory of social positioning. In so doing, the theory of social positioning is also used to explain how institutionalisation influences the dynamics of empowerment and disempowerment, and its implications for human development and dehumanisation.
Bridging patients in cardiogenic shock with a paracorporeal pulsatile biventricular assist device to heart transplantation—a single-centre experience
Authors: Michel Sebastian , Buchholz Stefan , Buech Joscha , Veit Tobias , Fabry Thomas , Abicht Jan , Thierfelder Nikolaus , Mueller Christoph , Rosenthal Laura Lily , Pabst von Ohain Jelena , Haas Nikolaus , Hörer Jürgen , Hagl Christian
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated the outcome of patients in cardiogenic shock receiving a paracorporeal pulsatile biventricular assist device as a bridge to transplantation.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective single-centre analysis of all patients who received a Berlin Heart Excor® at our institution between 2004 and 2019.

RESULTS

A total of 97 patients (90 adults, 7 paediatric) were analysed. Eighty-four patients were in Interagency Registry for Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support level 1 (80 adults, 4 paediatric). Diagnoses were dilated cardiomyopathy (n = 41), ischaemic cardiomyopathy (n = 17) or myocardial infarction (n = 4), myocarditis (n = 15), restrictive cardiomyopathy (n = 2), graft failure after heart transplant (n = 7), postcardiotomy heart failure (n = 5), postpartum cardiomyopathy (n = 3), congenital heart disease (n = 1), valvular cardiomyopathy (n = 1) and toxic cardiomyopathy (n = 1). All patients were in biventricular heart failure and had secondary organ dysfunction. The mean duration of support was 63 days (0–487 days). There was a significant decrease in creatinine values after assist device implantation (from 1.83 ± 0.79 to 1.12 ± 0.67 mg/dl, P = 0.001) as well as a decrease in bilirubin values (from 3.94 ± 4.58 to 2.65 ± 3.61 mg/dl, P = 0.084). Cerebral stroke occurred in 16 patients, bleeding in 15 and infection in 13 patients. Forty-eight patients died on support, while 49 patients could be successfully bridged to transplantation. Thirty-day survival and 1-year survival were 70.1% and 41.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

A pulsatile biventricular assist device is a reasonable therapeutic option in cardiogenic shock, when immediate high cardiac output is necessary to rescue the already impaired kidney and liver function of the patient.
Carpentier-Edwards Magna Ease bioprosthesis: a multicentre clinical experience and 12-year durability
Authors: Piperata Antonio , Fiocco Alessandro , Cavicchiolo Andrea , Ponzoni Matteo , Pesce Rita , Gemelli Marco , Evangelista Giuseppe , Gastino Elisa , Michelotti Sara , Mazzaro Enzo , Garufi Luigi , DePaulis Ruggero , Zanella Luca , Nadali Matteo , Mangino Domenico , Lorenzoni Giulia , Gregori Dario , Jorgji Vjola , Gerosa Gino , Bottio Tomaso
Published: December 2021

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this multicentre retrospective study was to compare long-term clinical and haemodynamic outcomes of the Carpentier-Edwards Magna Ease (CEME) bioprosthesis by patient age.

METHODS

We included consecutive patients who underwent isolated and combined surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) with CEME valve between January 2008 and March 2020 at 4 cardiac surgery centres in Italy. Survival distribution was evaluated at follow-up according to age and surgery type (combined or isolated AVR), together with freedom from structural valve deterioration (SVD), reoperation and combined events, i.e. SVD, reoperation, endocarditis and thromboembolic events.

RESULTS

A total of 1027 isolated and 1121 combined AVR were included; 776 patients were younger than 65 years whereas 1372 were 65 years or older. The 30-day Valve-Academic-Research-Consortium mortality was 2% (<65 years) and 6% (≥ 65 years) (P < 0.001), whereas it was 3% for isolated AVR and 7% for combined AVR (P < 0.001). The 12-year survival was 81% for those younger than 65 years vs 45% for those equal to or older than 65 years (P < 0.001), whereas they were 61% vs 49% for isolated and combined AVR (P = 0.10). The 12-year freedom from combined events, excluding death, was 79% for those younger than 65 years vs 87% for those equal to or older than (P = 0.51), whereas they were 83% for isolated and 86% for combined AVR (P = 0.10). The 12-year freedom from SVD was 93% and 93% in patients younger than 65 and those equal to or older than 65 years (P = 0.63), and the results were comparable even in cases with isolated and combined AVR (92% vs 94%, P = 0.21). A multivariable Cox analysis including gender, presence of patient–prosthesis mismatch, isolated AVR and age showed that only the age was an independent risk factor for the incidence of SVD (P = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Outcomes from this large multicentre analysis demonstrated that a CEME bioprosthesis provides good clinical results and long-term durability even in patients younger than 65 years. Furthermore, the hazard for SVD has been shown to be lower for older age.

Clinical trial registration number

105n/AO/21.
Risk factors for incidence of dementia in primary care practice: a retrospective cohort study in older adults
Authors: Pham Anh N Q , Lindeman Cliff , Voaklander Don , Wagg Adrian , Drummond Neil
Published: December 2021

Background

The dementias are long-term, chronic conditions caused by progressive neurological degeneration. Current literature suggests that cardiovascular disease risk factors may contribute to the onset of dementia; however, evidence of these associations is inconsistent.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the impact of risk factors on dementia onset in older adults diagnosed and managed in Canadian primary care settings.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was employed utilizing electronic medical records data in the Canadian Primary Care Sentinel Surveillance Network (CPCSSN). Patients aged 65+ years with no dementia diagnosis at baseline who were followed from 2009 to 2017 with a run-in year to exclude existing undiagnosed dementia cases. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate risk.

Results

Age was associated with an increased incidence risk of dementia in both examined age groups: 65–79 years (13%) and 80+ years (5%). History of depression increased dementia risk by 38% and 34% in the age groups. There were significant associations with lower social deprivation area quintile, smoking history, osteoarthritis, and diabetes mellitus in patients aged 65–79 years but not in those aged 80+ years. Sex, hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia, and the use of antihypertensive medications and statins were not associated with risk of incident dementia diagnosis.

Conclusions

The association between chronic health conditions and dementia onset is complicated. Primary care electronic medical record data might be useful for research in this topic, though follow-up time is still relatively short to observe a clear causal relationship. Future studies with more complete data may provide evidence for dementia preventive strategies within primary care practice.
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination on Inflammatory Bowel Disease Activity and Development of Vaccine-Related Adverse Events: Results From PREVENT-COVID
Authors: Weaver Kimberly N , Zhang Xian , Dai Xiangfeng , Watkins Runa , Adler Jeremy , Dubinsky Marla C , Kastl Arthur , Bousvaros Athos , Strople Jennifer A , Cross Raymond K , Higgins Peter D R , Ungaro Ryan C , Bewtra Meenakshi , Bellaguarda Emanuelle , Farraye Francis A , Boccieri Margie E , Firestine Ann , Kappelman Michael D , Long Millie D
Published: December 2021

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccination is recommended for all individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including those on immunosuppressive therapies; however, little is known about vaccine safety and efficacy in these patients or the impact of vaccination on IBD disease course.

Methods

We evaluated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine–related adverse events (AEs) and the effect of vaccination on IBD disease course among participants in the PREVENT-COVID (Partnership to Report Effectiveness of Vaccination in populations Excluded from iNitial Trials of COVID) study, a prospective, observational cohort study. Localized and systemic reactions were assessed via questionnaire. Disease flare was defined by worsening IBD symptoms and change in IBD medications. Outcomes were stratified by vaccine type and IBD medication classes.

Results

A total of 3316 individuals with IBD received at least 1 COVID-19 vaccine. Injection site tenderness (68%) and fatigue (46% dose 1, 68% dose 2) were the most commonly reported localized and systemic AEs after vaccination. Severe localized and systemic vaccine-related AEs were rare. The mRNA-1273 vaccine was associated with significantly greater severe AEs at dose 2 (localized 4% vs 2%, systemic 15% vs 10%; P < .001 for both). Prior COVID-19 infection, female sex, and vaccine type were associated with severe systemic reactions to dose 1, while age <50 years, female sex, vaccine type, and antitumor necrosis factor and vedolizumab use were associated with severe systemic reactions to dose 2. Overall rates (2%) of IBD flare were low following vaccination.

Conclusions

Our findings provide reassurance that the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine is safe and well tolerated among individuals with IBD, which may help to combat vaccine hesitancy and increase vaccine confidence.
The effect of labor market institutions and macroeconomic variables on aggregate unemployment in 1990–2019: Evidence from 22 European countries
Authors: Perone Gaetano
Published: December 2021

This paper investigates the long-run effect of a wide set of labor market institutions (LMIs) and macroeconomic variables on aggregate unemployment for a panel of 22 European countries over the period 1990–2019. First-difference feasible generalized least squares model, Prais-Winsten regression with panel-corrected standard errors, two-step generalized method of moments estimation of the fixed effects, and fixed-effects regression with Driscoll and Kraay standard errors are estimated. The results suggest that employment protection legislation, wage bargaining coordination and centralization, minimum wage, and immigration inflows are significantly and negatively associated with the aggregate unemployment rate. Conversely, union density, product market regulation (PMR), and tax wedge have a positive and significant correlation with unemployment rate. The impact of corporate tax rate and government size is mostly positive. Moreover, the interaction between LMIs does matter and may sometimes change the interpretation of some reforms taken in isolation. Stronger wage-setting institutions may offset the negative impact of PMR and the tax wedge. Macroeconomic variables are generally consistent with the major literature and do not change LMIs interpretation. Among macroeconomic factors, capital accumulation plays the most important role in reducing the unemployment rate. Finally, my findings suggest the implementation of economic policies consistent with Keynesian theory and all those economists—such as Solow (1990)—who look at the labor market as a social institution.
Limiting Directions for Random Walks in Classical Affine Weyl Groups
Authors: Aas Erik , Ayyer Arvind , Linusson Svante , Potka Samu
Published: December 2021

Let $W$ be a finite Weyl group and $\widetilde W$ the corresponding affine Weyl group. A random element of $\widetilde W$ can be obtained as a reduced random walk on the alcoves of $\widetilde W$. By a theorem of Lam (Ann. Prob. 2015), such a walk almost surely approaches one of $|W|$ many directions. We compute these directions when $W$ is $B_n$, $C_n$, and $D_n$ and the random walk is weighted by Kac and dual Kac labels. This settles Lam’s questions for types $B$ and $C$ in the affirmative and for type $D$ in the negative. The main tool is a combinatorial two row model for a totally asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP) called the $D^*$-TASEP, with four parameters. By specializing the parameters in different ways, we obtain TASEPs for each of the Weyl groups mentioned above. Computing certain correlations in these TASEPs gives the desired limiting directions.
Knowledge and insights from a maturing international clinical quality registry
Authors: Sampurno Fanny , Kowalski Christoph , Connor Sarah E , Nguyen Anissa V , Acuña Àngels Pont , Ng Chi-Fai , Foster Claire , Feick Günter , Boronat Olatz Garin , Dieng Sebastian , Brglevska Silvana , Ferrante Stephanie , Leung Steven , Villanti Paul , Moore Caroline M , Graham Ian D , Millar Jeremy L , Litwin Mark S , Papa Nathan
Published: December 2021

Since 2017, the TrueNTH Global Registry (TNGR) has aimed to drive improvement in patient outcomes for individuals with localized prostate cancer by collating data from healthcare institutions across 13 countries. As TNGR matures, a systematic evaluation of existing processes and documents is necessary to evaluate whether the registry is operating as intended. The main supporting documents: protocol and data dictionary, were comprehensively reviewed in a series of meetings over a 10-month period by an international working group. In parallel, individual consultations with local institutions regarding a benchmarking quality-of-care report were conducted. Four consensus areas for improvement emerged: updating operational definitions, appraisal of the recruitment process, refinement of data elements, and improvement of data quality and reporting. Recommendations presented were drawn from our collective experience and accumulated knowledge in operating an international registry. These can be readily generalized to other health-related reporting programs beyond clinical registries.
Chemical approach to generating long-term self-renewing pMN progenitors from human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Zhang Guan-Yu , Lv Zhu-Man , Ma Hao-Xin , Chen Yu , Yuan Yuan , Sun Ping-Xin , Feng Yu-Qi , Li Ya-Wen , Lu Wen-Jie , Yang Yu-Dong , Yang Cheng , Yu Xin-Lu , Wang Chao , Liang Shu-Long , Zhang Ming-Liang , Li Hui-Liang , Li Wen-Lin
Published: December 2021

Spinal cord impairment involving motor neuron degeneration and demyelination can cause lifelong disabilities, but effective clinical interventions for restoring neurological functions have yet to be developed. In early spinal cord development, neural progenitors of the motor neuron (pMN) domain, defined by the expression of oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (OLIG2), in the ventral spinal cord first generate motor neurons and then switch the fate to produce myelin-forming oligodendrocytes. Given their differentiation potential, pMN progenitors could be a valuable cell source for cell therapy in relevant neurological conditions such as spinal cord injury. However, fast generation and expansion of pMN progenitors in vitro while conserving their differentiation potential has so far been technically challenging. In this study, based on chemical screening, we have developed a new recipe for efficient induction of pMN progenitors from human embryonic stem cells. More importantly, these OLIG2+ pMN progenitors can be stably maintained for multiple passages without losing their ability to produce spinal motor neurons and oligodendrocytes rapidly. Our results suggest that these self-renewing pMN progenitors could potentially be useful as a renewable source of cell transplants for spinal cord injury and demyelinating disorders.
Explaining pre-emptive acclimation by linking information to plant phenotype
Authors: Aphalo Pedro J , Sadras Victor O
Published: December 2021

We review mechanisms for pre-emptive acclimation in plants and propose a conceptual model linking developmental and evolutionary ecology with the acquisition of information through sensing of cues and signals. The idea is that plants acquire much of the information in the environment not from individual cues and signals but instead from their joint multivariate properties such as correlations. If molecular signalling has evolved to extract such information, the joint multivariate properties of the environment must be encoded in the genome, epigenome, and phenome. We contend that multivariate complexity explains why extrapolating from experiments done in artificial contexts into natural or agricultural systems almost never works for characters under complex environmental regulation: biased relationships among the state variables in both time and space create a mismatch between the evolutionary history reflected in the genotype and the artificial growing conditions in which the phenotype is expressed. Our model can generate testable hypotheses bridging levels of organization. We describe the model and its theoretical bases, and discuss its implications. We illustrate the hypotheses that can be derived from the model in two cases of pre-emptive acclimation based on correlations in the environment: the shade avoidance response and acclimation to drought.
Singing Repentance In Lutheran Germany During The Thirty Years War (1618–1648)
Authors: Marks Thomas
Published: December 2021

During the Thirty Years War (1618–48), it was widely understood within Germany that sin had brought the wrath of God to the Empire in the form of war. In order to instil peace, Christendom needed to demonstrate its repentance; this article illustrates the role that music played in this process. Focusing on Lutheran Saxony and the free-imperial city of Nuremberg, I analyse music’s liturgical role in specially mandated Days of Prayer and Repentance alongside newly composed penitential works by local composers such as Melchior Franck and Johann Staden. I argue that music played a vital role in the penitential project that consumed Lutheran Germany during the Thirty Years War: (1) it conveyed orthodox messages about the urgent need for repentance; (2) it fostered the affective dimensions of sincere repentance; and (3) it demonstrated faithful Christians’ repentant attitudes to God.
Chemo-dynamics and asteroseismic ages of seven metal-poor red giants from the Kepler field
Authors: Alencastro Puls Arthur , Casagrande Luca , Monty Stephanie , Yong David , Liu Fan , Stello Dennis , Aguirre Børsen-Koch Victor , Freeman Ken C
Published: December 2021

In this work, we combine information from solar-like oscillations, high-resolution spectroscopy, and Gaia astrometry to derive stellar ages, chemical abundances, and kinematics for a group of seven metal-poor red giants and characterize them in a multidimensional chrono-chemo-dynamical space. Chemical abundance ratios were derived through classical spectroscopic analysis employing 1D LTE atmospheres on Keck/HIRES spectra. Stellar ages, masses, and radii were calculated with grid-based modelling, taking advantage of availability of asteroseismic information from Kepler. The dynamical properties were determined with galpy using Gaia EDR3 astrometric solutions. Our results suggest that underestimated parallax errors make the effect of Gaia parallaxes more important than different choices of model grid or – in the case of stars ascending the red giant branch – mass-loss prescription. Two of the stars in this study are identified as potentially evolved halo blue stragglers. Four objects are likely members of the accreted Milky Way halo, and their possible relationship with known accretion events is discussed.
Mode changing in J1909 − 3744: the most precisely timed pulsar
Authors: Miles M T , Shannon R M , Bailes M , Reardon D J , Buchner S , Middleton H , Spiewak R
Published: December 2021

We present baseband radio observations of the millisecond pulsar J1909 − 3744, the most precisely timed pulsar, using the MeerKAT telescope as part of the MeerTime pulsar timing array campaign. During a particularly bright scintillation event the pulsar showed strong evidence of pulse mode changing, among the first millisecond pulsars and the shortest duty cycle millisecond pulsar to do so. Two modes appear to be present, with the weak (lower signal-to-noise ratio) mode arriving 9.26 ± 3.94 μs earlier than the strong counterpart. Further, we present a new value of the jitter noise for this pulsar of 8.20 ± 0.14 ns in one hour, finding it to be consistent with previous measurements taken with the MeerKAT (9 ± 3 ns) and Parkes (8.6 ± 0.8 ns) telescopes, but inconsistent with the previously most precise measurement taken with the Green Bank telescope (14 ± 0.5 ns). Timing analysis on the individual modes is carried out for this pulsar, and we find an approximate $10\, \mathrm{per\,cent}$ improvement in the timing precision is achievable through timing the strong mode only as opposed to the full sample of pulses. By forming a model of the average pulse from templates of the two modes, we time them simultaneously and demonstrate that this timing improvement can also be achieved in regular timing observations. We discuss the impact an improvement of this degree on this pulsar would have on searches for the stochastic gravitational wave background, as well as the impact of a similar improvement on all MeerTime PTA pulsars.
Standardizing Dainotti-correlated gamma-ray bursts, and using them with standardized Amati-correlated gamma-ray bursts to constrain cosmological model parameters
Authors: Cao Shulei , Khadka Narayan , Ratra Bharat
Published: December 2021

We show that each of the three Dainotti-correlated gamma-ray burst (GRB) data sets recently compiled by Wang et al. and Hu et al., that together probe the redshift range 0.35 ≤ z ≤ 5.91, obey cosmological-model-independent Dainotti correlations and so are standardizable. We use these GRB data in conjunction with the best currently available Amati-correlated GRB data, that probe 0.3399 ≤ z ≤ 8.2, to constrain cosmological model parameters. The resulting cosmological constraints are weak, providing lower limits on the non-relativistic matter density parameter, mildly favouring non-zero spatial curvature, and largely consistent with currently accelerated cosmological expansion as well as with constraints determined from better-established data.