bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Smoking, blood cells and myeloproliferative neoplasms: meta‐analysis and Mendelian randomization of 2·3 million people
Authors: Jayasuriya Nimesh A. , Kjaergaard Alisa D. , Pedersen Kasper M. , Sørensen Anders L. , Bak Marie , Larsen Morten K. , Nordestgaard Børge G. , Bojesen Stig E. , Çolak Yunus , Skov Vibe , Kjær Lasse , Tolstrup Janne S. , Hasselbalch Hans C. , Ellervik Christina 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMeta‐analyses and Mendelian randomization (MR) may clarify the associations of smoking, blood cells and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). We investigated the association of smoking with blood cells in the Danish General Suburban Population Study (GESUS, n = 11 083), by meta‐analyses (including GESUS) of 92 studies (n = 531 741) and MR of smoking variant CHRNA3 (rs1051730[A]) in UK Biobank, and with MPN in a meta‐analysis of six studies (n (total/cases):1 425 529/2187), totalling 2 307 745 participants. In the meta‐analysis the random‐effects standardized mean difference (SMD) in current smokers versus non‐smokers was 0·82 (0·75–0·89, P = 2·0 * 10−108) for leukocytes, 0·09 (−0·02 to 0·21, P = 0·12) for erythrocytes, 0·53 (0·42–0·64, P = 8·0 * 10−22) for haematocrit, 0·42 (0·34–0·51, P = 7·1 * 10−21) for haemoglobin, 0·19 (0·08–0·31, P = 1·2 * 10−3) for mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), 0·29 (0·19–0·39, P = 1·6 * 10−8) for mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and 0·04 (−0·04 to 0·13, P = 0·34) for platelets with trends for ever/ex‐/current smokers, light/heavy smokers and female/male smokers. Analyses presented high heterogeneity but low publication bias. Per allele in CHRNA3, cigarettes per day in current smokers was associated with increased blood cell counts (leukocytes, neutrophils), MCH, red cell distribution width (RDW) and MCV. The pooled fixed‐effects odds ratio for MPN was 1·44 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1·33–1·56; P = 1·8 * 10−19; I2 = 0%] in current smokers, 1·29 (1·15–1·44; P = 8·0 * 10−6; I2 = 0%) in ex‐smokers, 1·49 (1·26–1·77; P = 4·4 * 10−6; I2 = 0%) in light smokers and 2·04 (1·74–2·39, P = 2·3 * 10−18; I2 = 51%) in heavy smokers compared with non‐smokers. Smoking is observationally and genetically associated with increased leukocyte counts and red blood cell indices (MCH, MCV, RDW) and observationally with risk of MPN in current and ex‐smokers versus non/never‐smokers.
Reasoned and implicit processes in heavy episodic drinking: An integrated dual‐process model
Authors: Hamilton Kyra , Gibbs Isabelle , Keech Jacob J. , Hagger Martin S. 
Published: December 2019

ObjectivesUniversity students commonly engage in heavy episodic drinking (HED), which contributes to injury risk, deleterious educational outcomes, and economic costs. Identification of the determinants of this risky behaviour may provide formative evidence on which to base effective interventions to curb HED in this population. Drawing from theories of social cognition and dual‐process models, this study tested key hypotheses relating to reasoned and implicit pathways to action for HED in a sample of Australian university students who drink alcohol.DesignA two‐wave correlational design was adopted.MethodsStudents (N = 204) completed self‐reported constructs from social cognition theories with respect to HED at an initial time point (T1): attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, intentions, habit, past behaviour, and implicit alcohol identity. Four weeks later (T2), students self‐reported their HED behaviour and habit.ResultsAn initial path model indicated attitude and subjective norm predicted intentions, and intentions and implicit alcohol identity predicted HED. Inclusion of past behaviour and habit revealed direct effects of these on HED. Effects of T1 habit on HED were indirect through T2 habit, and there were indirect effects of past behaviour on HED through habit at both time points and the social cognition constructs. Direct effects of intentions and implicit alcohol identity, and indirect effects of attitude and subjective norm, on HED, were attenuated by the inclusion of past behaviour and habit.ConclusionResults indicate that university students’ HED tends to be governed by non‐conscious, automatic processes than conscious, intentional processes.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Social cognitive factors are associated with risky alcohol consumption behaviours.

Dual‐process models are being used to explain health behaviours, such as heavy episodic drinking (HED).

What does this study add?

Past HED behaviour and HED habits have direct and indirect effects on students’ HED behaviour.

Past behaviour and habit attenuate the effects of intentions and implicit alcohol identity on HED.
CD74 knockout protects against LPS‐induced myocardial contractile dysfunction through AMPK‐Skp2‐SUV39H1‐mediated demethylation of BCLB
Authors: Luo Yuanfei , Fan Congcong , Yang Mingjie , Dong Maolong , Bucala Richard , Pei Zhaohui , Zhang Yingmei , Ren Jun 
Published: December 2019

Background and PurposeLipopolysaccharides (LPS), an outer membrane component of Gram‐negative bacteria, triggers myocardial anomalies in sepsis. Recent findings indicated a role for inflammatory cytokine MIF and its receptor, CD74, in septic organ injury, although little is known of the role of MIF‐CD74 in septic cardiomyopathy.Experimental ApproachThis study evaluated the impact of CD74 ablation on endotoxaemia‐induced cardiac anomalies. Echocardiographic, cardiomyocyte contractile and intracellular Ca2+ properties were examined.Key ResultsOur data revealed compromised cardiac function (lower fractional shortening, enlarged LV end systolic diameter, decreased peak shortening, maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening, prolonged duration of relengthening and intracellular Ca2+ mishandling) and ultrastructural derangement associated with inflammation, O2− production, apoptosis, excess autophagy, phosphorylation of AMPK and JNK and dampened mTOR phosphorylation. These effects were attenuated or mitigated by CD74 knockout. LPS challenge also down‐regulated Skp2, an F‐box component of Skp1/Cullin/F‐box protein‐type ubiquitin ligase, while up‐regulating that of SUV39H1 and H3K9 methylation of the Bcl2 protein BCLB. These effects were reversed by CD74 ablation. In vitro study revealed that LPS facilitated GFP‐LC3B formation and cardiomyocyte defects. These effects were prevented by CD74 ablation. Interestingly, the AMPK activator AICAR, the autophagy inducer rapamycin and the demethylation inhibitor difenoconazole inhibited the effects of CD74 ablation against LPS‐induced cardiac dysfunction, while the SUV39H1 inhibitor chaetocin or methylation inhibitor 5‐AzaC ameliorated LPS‐induced GFP‐LC3B formation and cardiomyocyte contractile dysfunction.Conclusion and ImplicationsOur data suggested that CD74 ablation protected against LPS‐induced cardiac anomalies, O2− production, inflammation and apoptosis through suppression of autophagy in a Skp2‐SUV39H1‐mediated mechanism.
Thyroid function abnormalities and thyroid autoantibodies in Danish pregnant women
Authors: Knøsgaard Louise , Andersen Stig , Hansen Annebirthe Bo , Vestergaard Peter , Andersen Stine Linding 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveAbnormal thyroid function in pregnant women is a matter of concern. Knowledge on the occurrence of known and unidentified thyroid function abnormalities in a large unselected cohort of pregnant women is warranted as part of the debate on benefits and risks of routine testing.DesignCohort study.ParticipantsA total of 14 323 pregnant women in the North Denmark Region, who had a blood sample drawn as part of the prenatal screening program in early pregnancy (2011‐2015).MeasurementsTSH, free thyroxine, thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies were measured in the stored blood samples using an automatic immunoassay (ADVIA Centaur XPT, Siemens Healthineers). Cohort‐, method‐ and week‐specific reference ranges were used for classification of maternal thyroid function, and a cut‐off of 60 U/mL was used for thyroid autoantibodies. Information in Danish nationwide registers was used to identify diagnosed and treated maternal thyroid disease.ResultsOverall, 15.2% had thyroid function abnormalities in the early pregnancy and 14.9% were thyroid peroxidase and/or thyroglobulin antibody positive. Among women with known thyroid disease (n = 365), the frequency of abnormal thyroid function was 45.7%, and 62.8% in women (n = 172) who received current treatment in the pregnancy. When maternal thyroid disease was diagnosed in the years following pregnancy (n = 313), 46.7% had abnormal thyroid function and 54.3% were thyroid peroxidase and/or thyroglobulin antibody positive in the early pregnancy.ConclusionThyroid function abnormalities and thyroid autoantibodies were common in Danish pregnant women, particularly in women with known or later diagnosed thyroid disease, which raises concern about inadequately treated and unidentified abnormal thyroid function.
Multi‐Segment Foot for Human Modelling and Simulation
Authors: Park Hwangpil , Yu Ri , Lee Jehee 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRealistic modelling of a human‐like character is one of the main topics in computer graphics to simulate human motion physically and also look realistically. Of the body parts, a human foot interacts with the ground, and plays an essential role in weight transmission, balancing posture and assisting ambulation. However, in the previous researches, the foot model was often simplified into one or two rigid bodies connected by a revolute joint. We propose a new foot model consisting of multiple segments to reproduce human foot shape and its functionality accurately. Based on the new model, we develop a foot pose controller that can reproduce foot postures that are generally not obtained in motion capture data. We demonstrate the validity of our foot model and the effectiveness of our foot controller with a variety of foot motions in a physics‐based simulation.
Risk aversion and uncertainty create a conundrum for planning recovery of a critically endangered species
Authors: Canessa Stefano , Taylor Gemma , Clarke Rohan H. , Ingwersen Dean , Vandersteen James , Ewen John G. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMaking transparent and rational decisions to manage threatened species in situations of high uncertainty is difficult. Managers must balance the optimism of successful intervention with the risk that intervention could make matters worse. We assessed nest protection options for regent honeyeaters (Anthochaera phrygia) in Australia. Formal expert elicitation highlighted two methods of nest protection expected to improve nest success. However, the risks and benefits of different actions were uncertain; for example, protecting nests from predators might also increase the risk of nest desertion by adults. To avoid risks, the recovery team opted to collect more information before implementation. The two methods of nest protection were compared using a field experiment. However, the same risk aversion limited the experiment to a single variable (nest predation) and dictated the use of artificial nests. The results of the experiment suggested neither action was likely to significantly reduce predation risks (<3% mean differences in survival between treatment and control). When presented with these results, managers made only minor revisions to their estimates; in part, this reflected low confidence by managers that artificial nests could reflect real predation risks. However, estimates were also revised more negatively for the initially less‐favored option, despite absence of such evidence, possibly highlighting confirmation bias. In this uncertain situation, the status quo was initially maintained although it was perceived as suboptimal; implementation of the preferred option (tree collars) is now planned for the 2019 breeding season. We faced what might be a common conundrum for conservation of critically endangered species. High uncertainty affects management decisions; however, perilous species status also leads to strong risk aversion, which limits both the willingness to act on limited information and the ability to learn effectively. Structured methods can increase transparency, facilitate evaluation, and assist decision making, but objective limitations and subjective attitudes cannot be circumvented entirely.
Genetic polymorphism in catechol‐O‐methyltransferase associated with the functional connectivity of frontostriatal circuits in first episode schizophrenia patients
Authors: Kang Yafei , Zhang Wei , Lv Yahui , Xu Hanxiao , Lin Yanyan , Cai Suping , Wang Jijun , Huang Liyu 
Published: December 2019

AbstractNegative symptoms in schizophrenia have been associated with functional changes in frontostriatal pathways. Dysregulation of the dopamine signal in frontostriatal pathways leads to the symptomology observed in schizophrenia. Although the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene, one of the susceptibility genes for schizophrenia, has been associated with dopamine activities in prefrontal and striatal regions, it is still unclear whether the disease state and COMT val158met genotype have an interaction effect on the functional connectivity of frontostriatal pathways. In this study, we evaluated the possible interactions between COMT val158met variations and the disease state on the resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC) of frontostriatal pathways in fifty‐one first episode schizophrenia (FES) patients (val/val: 29, met +: 22) with prominent negative symptoms and forty‐eight healthy controls (val/val: 31, met +: 17). Regions of interest were defined by the result of a meta‐analysis of frontostriatal pathways using the Neurosynth database. We found a significant genotype × disease interaction effect on the RSFC between the bilateral anterior cingulate (ACC) and right caudate, which overlapped with the main effect of the disease state. Behavioural regression analysis suggested that RSFC between the right ACC and right caudate correlated with the severity of SANS avolition–apathy scores in patients who were met carriers but not in patients who were val homozygous. Our findings suggest that the RSFC of frontostriatal pathways may differentially affected by an individual's COMT val158met genotype.
The phenotypical implications of immune dysregulation in fragile X syndrome
Authors: Yu K.‐H. , Palmer N. , Fox K. , Prock L. , Mandl K. D. , Kohane I. S. , Prilutsky D. 
Published: December 2019

Background and purposeImmune system dysfunction and inflammatory dysregulation have been shown in several animal models of fragile X syndrome (FXS). However, the phenotypical implications of this dysregulation have not been systematically evaluated in a large patient cohort.MethodsFive thousand seven hundred thirty‐six FXS patients from a nationwide health insurance database were identified and compared to 573 600 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. The phenome‐wide association studies codes of FXS patients and those without FXS were compared and the false discovery rate was controlled at 0.05 using the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure.ResultsIn addition to the commonly reported comorbidities of FXS, an over‐representation of infectious diseases, including otitis media, cellulitis and abscess of fingers or toes, viral enteritis, candidiasis and pneumonia, was discovered. In addition, there was an under‐representation of autoimmune disorders in FXS patients.ConclusionsOur systematic comorbidity analyses identified immunologically‐based phenotypes associated with FXS. Our findings align with previous observations of compromised immunity and phagocytic defects in animal models of FXS. These results suggest the importance of immune‐related pathways in FXS patients and their relevance to the FMR1 gene.
Trends in pediatric epilepsy surgery in Europe between 2008 and 2015: Country‐, center‐, and age‐specific variation
Authors: Barba Carmen , Cross Judith Helen , Braun Kees , Cossu Massimo , Klotz Kerstin Alexandra , De Masi Salvatore , Perez Jiménez Maria Angeles , Gaily Eija , Specchio Nicola , Cabral Pedro , Toulouse Joseph , Dimova Petia , Battaglia Domenica , Freri Elena , Consales Alessandro , Cesaroni Elisabetta , Tarta‐Arsene Oana , Gil‐Nagel Antonio , Mindruta Ioana , Di Gennaro Giancarlo , Giulioni Marco , Tisdall Martin M. , Eltze Christin , Tahir Muhammad Zubair , Jansen Floor , van Rijen Peter , Sanders Maurits , Tassi Laura , Francione Stefano , Lo Russo Giorgio , Jacobs Julia , Bast Thomas , Matta Giulia , Budke Marcelo , Fournier del Castillo Concepción , Metsahonkala Eeva‐Liisa , Karppinen Atte , Ferreira José Carlos , Minkin Krasimir , Marras Carlo Efisio ,   European Survey Group, Arzimanoglou Alexis , Guerrini Renzo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo profile European trends in pediatric epilepsy surgery (<16 years of age) between 2008 and 2015.MethodsWe collected information on volumes and types of surgery, pathology, and seizure outcome from 20 recognized epilepsy surgery reference centers in 10 European countries.ResultsWe analyzed retrospective aggregate data on 1859 operations. The proportion of surgeries significantly increased over time (P < .0001). Engel class I outcome was achieved in 69.3% of children, with no significant improvement between 2008 and 2015. The proportion of histopathological findings consistent with glial scars significantly increased between the ages of 7 and 16 years (P for trend = .0033), whereas that of the remaining pathologies did not vary across ages. A significant increase in unilobar extratemporal surgeries (P for trend = .0047) and a significant decrease in unilobar temporal surgeries (P for trend = .0030) were observed between 2008 and 2015. Conversely, the proportion of multilobar surgeries and unrevealing magnetic resonance imaging cases remained unchanged. Invasive investigations significantly increased, especially stereo‐electroencephalography. We found different trends comparing centers starting their activity in the 1990s to those whose programs were developed in the past decade. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant variability of the proportion of the different pathologies and surgical approaches across countries, centers, and age groups between 2008 and 2015.SignificanceBetween 2008 and 2015, we observed a significant increase in the volume of pediatric epilepsy surgeries, stability in the proportion of Engel class I outcomes, and a modest increment in complexity of the procedures.
Evaluation of component‐similar rotor steel specimens with a local probabilistic approach for LCF
Authors: Mäde Lucas , Kumar Kiran , Schmitz Sebastian , Gundavarapu Sesha , Beck Tilmann 
Published: December 2019

AbstractLately, a successful validation of a combined size and gradient effect modelling approach in a local probabilistic framework for LCF was published. A second validation study is here presented using LCF data of component‐similar specimens made of forged X12CrMoWVNbN10‐1‐1. It is found that a reasonable LCF crack initiation life prediction can be achieved by the local probabilistic model using single batch material parameters. However, the material parameters obtained from mixed batch LCF test data overestimate the actual material inherent LCF life scatter. Consequently, the size effect shift is pronounced too much, and the LCF life is predicted beyond crack initiation. Estimating the material parameters from a single batch data set instead results in a much less dispersed LCF life distribution and an approximately correct size effect shift. The predicted median Wöhler curve then corresponds to borehole‐specimen lives for initial cracks at the detection threshold. A reasonable prediction of technically relevant crack sizes in such inhomogeneous components requires additional modelling of stress gradient effects.
Identifying microbial life in rocks: Insights from population morphometry
Authors: Rouillard Joti , García-Ruiz Juan Manuel , Kah Linda , Gérard Emmanuelle , Barrier Laurie , Nabhan Sami , Gong Jian , van Zuilen Mark A. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe identification of cellular life in the rock record is problematic, since microbial life forms, and particularly bacteria, lack sufficient morphologic complexity to be effectively distinguished from certain abiogenic features in rocks. Examples include organic pore‐fillings, hydrocarbon‐containing fluid inclusions, organic coatings on exfoliated crystals and biomimetic mineral aggregates (biomorphs). This has led to the interpretation and re‐interpretation of individual microstructures in the rock record. The morphologic description of entire populations of microstructures, however, may provide support for distinguishing between preserved micro‐organisms and abiogenic objects. Here, we present a statistical approach based on quantitative morphological description of populations of microstructures. Images of modern microbial populations were compared to images of two relevant types of abiogenic microstructures: interstitial spaces and silica–carbonate biomorphs. For the populations of these three systems, the size, circularity, and solidity of individual particles were calculated. Subsequently, the mean/SD, skewness, and kurtosis of the statistical distributions of these parameters were established. This allowed the qualitative and quantitative comparison of distributions in these three systems. In addition, the fractal dimension and lacunarity of the populations were determined. In total, 11 parameters, independent of absolute size or shape, were used to characterize each population of microstructures. Using discriminant analysis with parameter subsets, it was found that size and shape distributions are typically sufficient to discriminate populations of biologic and abiogenic microstructures. Analysis of ancient, yet unambiguously biologic, samples (1.0 Ga Angmaat Formation, Baffin Island, Canada) suggests that taphonomic effects can alter morphometric characteristics and complicate image analysis; therefore, a wider range of microfossil assemblages should be studied in the future before automated analyses can be developed. In general, however, it is clear from our results that there is great potential for morphometric descriptions of populations in the context of life recognition in rocks, either on Earth or on extraterrestrial bodies.