bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Associations of Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medication With Adverse Outcomes in Older Cancer Patients
Authors: Chen Li-Ju , Trares Kira , Laetsch Dana Clarissa , Nguyen Thi Ngoc Mai , Brenner Hermann , Schöttker Ben 
Published: May 2020

AbstractBackgroundBoth polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) intake are highly prevailing in older cancer patients. However, only studies on the association of polypharmacy and postoperative complications have been meta-analyzed previously.MethodsA systematic review and a meta-analysis of prospective/retrospective observational studies reporting associations of polypharmacy or PIM with at least one out of five predefined adverse health outcomes in a population of older cancer patients (≥60 years) were carried out. PubMed and Web of Science were used to search for relevant studies published between January 1991 and March 2020. Data were pooled by adopting a random-effects model.ResultsOverall, 42 publications were included in the systematic review. Meta-analyses could be performed on 39 studies about polypharmacy and 13 studies about PIM. Polypharmacy was found to be statistically significantly associated with all-cause mortality (risk ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.37 [1.25–1.50]), hospitalization (1.53 [1.37–1.71]), treatment-related toxicity (1.22 [1.01–1.47]), and postoperative complications (1.73 [1.36–2.20]). The association of polypharmacy with prolongation of hospitalization was not statistically significant at the p &lt; .05 significance level (1.62 [0.98–2.66]). With respect to PIM, a statistically significant association with all-cause mortality (1.43 [1.08–1.88]) was observed but not with other adverse outcomes.ConclusionsPolypharmacy was found to be associated with several adverse outcomes and PIM use with all-cause mortality in older cancer patients. However, these results should be interpreted with caution because about three-quarters of the studies identified did not adjust for comorbidity and are prone to confounding by indication.
Aging-Related Increase of cGMP Disrupts Mitochondrial Homeostasis in Leydig Cells
Authors: Sokanovic Srdjan J , Baburski Aleksandar Z , Kojic Zvezdana , Medar Marija L J , Andric Silvana A , Kostic Tatjana S 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSince mitochondria play an essential role in the testosterone biosynthesis, serve as power centers and are a source of oxidative stress, a possible mitochondrial dysfunction could be connected with decreased activity of Leydig cells and lowered testosterone production during aging. Here we chronologically analyzed age-related alterations of mitochondrial function in Leydig cells correlated by the progressive rise of cGMP signaling and with respect to testosterone synthesis. To target cGMP signaling in Leydig cells, acute or long-term in vivo or ex vivo treatments with sildenafil (phosphodiesterase 5 [PDE5] inhibitor) were performed. Aging-related accumulation of cGMP in the Leydig cells is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction illustrated by reduced ATP and steroid production, lowered O2 consumption, increased mitochondrial abundance and mtDNA copies number, decreased expression of genes that regulate mitochondrial biogenesis (Ppargc1a/PGC1a-Tfam-Nrf1/NRF1), mitophagy (Pink1), fusion (Mfn1, Opa1), and increased Nrf2/NRF2. Acute in vivo PDE5 inhibition overaccumulated cGMP and stimulated testosterone but reduced ATP production in Leydig cells from adult, middle-aged, and old rats. The increased ATP/O ratio observed in cells from old compared to adult rats was diminished after stimulation of cGMP signaling. Opposite, long-term PDE5 inhibition decreased cGMP signaling and improved mitochondrial function/dynamics in Leydig cells from old rats. Mitochondrial abundance in Leydig cells decreased while ATP levels increased. Chronic treatment elevated Tfam, Nrf1, Nrf2, Opa1, Mfn1, Drp1, and normalized Pink1 expression. Altogether, long-term PDE5 inhibition prevented age-related NO and cGMP elevation, improved mitochondrial dynamics/function, and testosterone production. The results pointed on cGMP signaling in Leydig cells as a target for pharmacological manipulation of aging-associated changes in mitochondrial function and testosterone production.
Age Differences in COVID-19 Risk Perceptions and Mental Health: Evidence From a National U.S. Survey Conducted in March 2020
Authors: Bruine de Bruin Wändi 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Objectives
Theories of aging posit that older adult age is associated with less negative emotions, but few studies have examined age differences at times of novel challenges. As COVID-19 spread in the United States, this study therefore aimed to examine age differences in risk perceptions, anxiety, and depression.

Method
In March 2020, a nationally representative address-based sample of 6,666 U.S. adults assessed their perceived risk of getting COVID-19, dying if getting it, getting quarantined, losing their job (if currently working), and running out of money. They completed a mental health assessment for anxiety and depression. Demographic variables and precrisis depression diagnosis had previously been reported.

Results
In regression analyses controlling for demographic variables and survey date, older adult age was associated with perceiving larger risks of dying if getting COVID-19, but with perceiving less risk of getting COVID-19, getting quarantined, or running out of money, as well as less depression and anxiety. Findings held after additionally controlling for precrisis reports of depression diagnosis.

Discussion
With the exception of perceived infection-fatality risk, U.S. adults who were relatively older appeared to have a more optimistic outlook and better mental health during the early stages of the pandemic. Interventions may be needed to help people of all ages maintain realistic perceptions of the risks, while also managing depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 crisis. Implications for risk communication and mental health interventions are discussed.
What are the barriers to implementing national antimicrobial resistance action plans? A novel mixed-methods policy analysis in Pakistan
Authors: Khan Mishal S , Durrance-Bagale Anna , Mateus Ana , Sultana Zia , Hasan Rumina , Hanefeld Johanna 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Despite political commitment to address antimicrobial resistance (AMR), countries are facing challenges to implementing policies to reduce inappropriate use of antibiotics. Critical factors to the success of policy implementation in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), such as capacity for enforcement, contestation by influential stakeholders and financial interests, have been insufficiently considered. Using Pakistan as a case study representing a populous country with extremely high antibiotic usage, we identified 195 actors who affect policies on antibiotic use in humans and animals through a snowballing process and interviewed 48 of these who were nominated as most influential. We used a novel card game-based methodology to investigate policy actors’ support for implementation of different regulatory approaches addressing actions of frontline healthcare providers and antibiotic producers across the One Health spectrum. We found that there was only widespread support for implementing hard regulations (prohibiting certain actions) against antibiotic suppliers with little power—such as unqualified/informal healthcare providers and animal feed producers—but not to target more powerful groups such as doctors, farmers and pharmaceutical companies. Policy actors had limited knowledge to develop implementation plans to address inappropriate use of antibiotics in animals, even though this was recognized as a critical driver of AMR. Our results indicate that local political and economic dynamics may be more salient to policy actors influencing implementation of AMR national action plans than solutions presented in global guidelines that rely on implementation of hard regulations. This highlights a disconnect between AMR action plans and the local contexts where implementation takes place. Thus if the global strategies to tackle AMR are to become implementable policies in LMIC, they will need greater appreciation of the power dynamics and systemic constraints that relate to many of the strategies proposed.
On the Minkowski Formula for Hypersurfaces in Complex Space Forms
Authors: Martino Vittorio , Tralli Giulio 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
In this paper, we discuss various Minkowski-type formulas for real hypersurfaces in complex space forms. In particular, we investigate the formulas suggested by the natural splitting of the tangent space. In this direction, our main result concerns a new kind of 2nd Minkowski formula.
Lefschetz–Bott Fibrations on Line Bundles Over Symplectic Manifolds
Authors: Oba Takahiro 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
We describe Lefschetz–Bott fibrations on complex line bundles over symplectic manifolds explicitly. As an application, we show that the link of the $A_{k}$-type singularity has more than one strong symplectic filling up to homotopy and blow-up at points when the dimension of the link is greater than or equal to $5$. In the appendix, we show that the total space of a Lefschetz–Bott fibration over the unit disk serves as a strong symplectic filling of a contact manifold compatible with an open book induced by the fibration.
Pathways to Leadership: Reflections of Recent Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Leaders During Conception and Launch of the Inclusion, Diversity, Access, and Equity Movement Within the IDSA
Authors: Sears Cynthia L , Powderly William G , Auwaerter Paul G , Alexander Barbara D , File Thomas M 
Published: May 2020

AbstractOpportunities for leadership in the specialty of infectious diseases (ID) have markedly increased over the last decade, including in newly recognized areas. Commensurate with the expansion of opportunities in ID, pathways to leadership positions within the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) are expanding as the Society seeks to advance the field for IDSA members. Acknowledging both the importance of diverse leaders to organizational success and shortfalls in diverse representation within IDSA leadership led to concentrated efforts to enhance transparency and opportunities for members to participate broadly in the work of IDSA. Herein, IDSA leaders reflect on their paths to IDSA leadership, hoping to help guide members seeking to partner with the Society. Features identified as important to individual success include mentorship, networking, participation in ID and IDSA volunteer experiences, passion for ID, and working with IDSA staff to advance the programs and initiatives of IDSA on behalf of members.
The Case for Why Africa Should Host COVID-19 Candidate Vaccine Trials
Authors: Singh Jerome Amir 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn response to provocative comments by 2 European clinicians and scientists, the World Health Organization Director General has declared that Africa will not host COVID-19 vaccine trials. Such a stance risks stigmatizing COVID-19 vaccine trials in Africa and depriving Africa of critical research. To the contrary, there is a critical need for Africa to host COVID-19 vaccine trials on public health, scientific, and ethics grounds.
Implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship programme and reduction in carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in an Australian local health district
Authors: Cipko Kimberly , Cuenca Jose , Wales Erica , Harris Joanna , Bond Stuart , Newton Peter , Miyakis Spiros 
Published: May 2020

Abstract

Background
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are increasingly seen in Australian hospitals. Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions have been shown to reduce rates of carbapenem-resistant organisms; data on their effect on CPE rates are limited.

Objectives
To explore the effect of a multi-site computer-supported AMS programme on the rates of CPE in an Australian local health district.

Methods
All laboratory CPE isolates between 2008 and 2018 were identified. Microbiological and demographic data, CPE risk factors and outcomes were collected. Monthly carbapenem use was expressed as DDD per 1000 occupied bed days (OBD). Hand hygiene compliance rates among healthcare workers were analysed. A computer-supported AMS programme was implemented district-wide in 2012. Bivariate relationships were examined using Pearson’s r and predictors of CPE isolates using time series linear regression.

Results
We identified 120 isolates from 110 patients. Numbers of CPE isolates and carbapenem use both showed a strong downward trend during the study period; the decreases were strongly correlated (r = 0.80, P = 0.006). The positive relationship between carbapenem use and CPE isolation was maintained while adjusting for time (b = 0.05, P &lt; 0.001). Average yearly consumption of carbapenems fell by 20%, from 18.4 to 14.7 DDD/1000 OBD following implementation of the AMS programme. Hand hygiene compliance rates remained high throughout.

Conclusions
We demonstrated a reduction of CPE isolates in conjunction with reduced carbapenem use, longitudinally consolidated by a formal AMS programme. Prospective studies are needed to validate the effect of AMS on carbapenem resistance, especially in high-prevalence settings.
The Invention of a Chair Tradition in Ethiopia: A Case Study of Liminoid Design
Authors: Goss David 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Both design and invention deal with future materializations, facilitating the environment and artefacts into different categories. These categories are conceptual constructs and any transgression of, combination of, or entering interstices between their imagined conceptual borders is Liminoid Design. Liminoid design is defined in this article as a momentary state of liminality: unstructuredness, transience, inter-categorical or uncategorizable. Though a very common phenomenon, it potentially creates new configurations of reality and new categories in design. This article describes manifestations of liminoid design, through the development of a contemporary Ethiopian chair with the merging of two categories: a side chair with imagery of the historic Aksum stelae. The Aksum stelae are monolithic stone monuments in northern Ethiopia erected during the ancient Kingdom of Aksum (in the early Christian period between the fourth and sixth centuries AD). This amalgamation emphasizes the contemporary connection to the past with a significant moment in Ethiopian history. Though seemingly traditional, this article identifies these chairs as a newly invented design type—the Aksum chair. During several visits to Ethiopia, I visited furniture workshops in Addis Ababa and Aksum and visited purchasers of the chairs as well. This helped the research to trace the proliferation and initiation of an invented traditional style.
Local labor markets and the persistence of population shocks: evidence from West Germany, 1939–1970
Authors: Braun Sebastian T , Kramer Anica , Kvasnicka Michael , Meier Philipp 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
This article studies the persistence of a large, unexpected and regionally very unevenly distributed population shock, the inflow of eight million ethnic Germans from Eastern Europe to West Germany after World War II. Using detailed census data from 1939 to 1970, we show that the shock proved persistent within local labor markets, but was largely reversed between labor markets. These results show that the choice of spatial units can significantly affect the estimated persistence of population shocks. They can thus help to explain why previous studies on the persistence of population shocks reached conflicting conclusions.
Association of Salivary Cholinesterase With Arthropod Vectors of Disease
Authors: Temeyer Kevin B , Schlechte Kristie G , Olafson Pia U , Drolet Barbara S , Tidwell Jason P , Osbrink Weste L A , Showler Allan T , Gross Aaron D , Pérez de León Adalberto A 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was previously reported to be present in saliva of the southern cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini), with proposed potential functions to 1) reduce acetylcholine toxicity during rapid engorgement, 2) modulate host immune responses, and 3) to influence pathogen transmission and establishment in the host. Potential modulation of host immune responses might include participation in salivary-assisted transmission and establishment of pathogens in the host as has been reported for a number of arthropod vector-borne diseases. If the hypothesis that tick salivary AChE may alter host immune responses is correct, we reasoned that similar cholinesterase activities might be present in saliva of additional arthropod vectors. Here, we report the presence of AChE-like activity in the saliva of southern cattle ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus; the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (Linnaeus); Asian tiger mosquitoes, Aedes albopictus (Skuse); sand flies, Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli); and biting midges, Culicoides sonorensis Wirth and Jones. Salivary AChE-like activity was not detected for horn flies Haematobia irritans (L.), stable flies Stomoxys calcitrans (L.), and house flies Musca domestica L. Salivary cholinesterase (ChE) activities of arthropod vectors of disease-causing agents exhibited various Michaelis–Menten KM values that were each lower than the KM value of bovine serum AChE. A lower KM value is indicative of higher affinity for substrate and is consistent with a hypothesized role in localized depletion of host tissue acetylcholine potentially modulating host immune responses at the arthropod bite site that may favor ectoparasite blood-feeding and alter host defensive responses against pathogen transmission and establishment.
The Challenges of Using Citizen Reporting to Improve Public Services: A Field Experiment on Solid Waste Services in Uganda
Authors: Buntaine Mark T , Hunnicutt Patrick , Komakech Polycarp 
Published: May 2020

AbstractGovernments around the world are investing in technologies that allow citizens to participate in the coproduction of public services by providing monitoring and feedback, but there is little evidence about how these initiatives affect the quality of public services. We implemented a large-scale field experiment that involved organizing 50 citizen reporters in each of 100 neighborhoods across Kampala, Uganda, to provide weekly reports to the municipal government about the delivery of solid waste services via an SMS-messaging platform, resulting in 23,856 reports during the 9-month study period. Citizen reporting did not reduce informal waste accumulation as targeted, which would indicate improvements to formal services. Using our observations as participants in the development and deployment of the reporting platform and interviews with staff at the government agency receiving the citizen reports, we show how the public generated inconsistent information that did not fit existing decision-making processes. We generalize lessons from this field experiment by explaining how coproduction involving information sharing through information and communication technologies is likely to affect public services based on the alignment of citizen-produced data with the information problems managers face; the search costs of detecting public services failures; the quality of citizen-produced data; and the operating costs of citizen-reporting platforms.
The chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase-like complex influences the photosynthetic activity of the moss Physcomitrella patens
Authors: Storti Mattia , Puggioni Maria Paola , Segalla Anna , Morosinotto Tomas , Alboresi Alessandro 
Published: May 2020

AbstractAlternative electron pathways contribute to regulation of photosynthetic light reactions to adjust to metabolic demands in dynamic environments. The chloroplast NADH dehydrogenase-like (NDH) complex mediates the cyclic electron transport pathway around PSI in different cyanobacteria, algae, and plant species, but it is not fully conserved in all photosynthetic organisms. In order to assess how the physiological role of this complex changed during plant evolution, we isolated Physcomitrella patens lines knocked out for the NDHM gene that encodes a subunit fundamental for the activity of the complex. ndhm knockout mosses indicated high PSI acceptor side limitation upon abrupt changes in illumination. In P. patens, pseudo-cyclic electron transport mediated by flavodiiron proteins (FLVs) was also shown to prevent PSI over-reduction in plants exposed to light fluctuations. flva ndhm double knockout mosses had altered photosynthetic performance and growth defects under fluctuating light compared with the wild type and single knockout mutants. The results showed that while the contribution of NDH to electron transport is minor compared with FLV, NDH still participates in modulating photosynthetic activity, and it is critical to avoid PSI photoinhibition, especially when FLVs are inactive. The functional overlap between NDH- and FLV-dependent electron transport supports PSI activity and prevents its photoinhibition under light variations.
Role of spectral resolution for infrared asteroid compositional analysis using meteorite spectra
Authors: Skulteti A , Kereszturi A , Kereszty Zs , Pal B , Szabo M , Cipriani F 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT
In this work the potential mineral identification of meteorites is analysed for the mid-infrared range, to evaluate observational possibilities for future missions targeting small body surfaces. Three carbonaceous and three ordinary chondrite meteorites are examined by a diffuse reflection (DRIFT) instrument, and the presence of principal minerals is confirmed by a powder diffraction method as well. The possibilities and constraints of mineral identifications in the mid-infrared are simulated by artificially degrading the spectral resolution. Our research shows that for the definite identification of principal mineral bands, a spectral resolution ≤10 cm−1 (≤0.15 μm) is needed. At 20–100 cm−1 (0.3–1.5 μm) resolution the identification of these minerals is uncertain, and with a resolution &gt;100 cm−1, it is almost impossible.
A low-bias and sensitive small RNA library preparation method using randomized splint ligation
Authors: Maguire Sean , Lohman Gregory J S , Guan Shengxi 
Published: May 2020

Abstract
Small RNAs are important regulators of gene expression and are involved in human development and disease. Next generation sequencing (NGS) allows for scalable, genome-wide studies of small RNA; however, current methods are challenged by low sensitivity and high bias, limiting their ability to capture an accurate representation of the cellular small RNA population. Several studies have shown that this bias primarily arises during the ligation of single-strand adapters during library preparation, and that this ligation bias is magnified by 2′-O-methyl modifications (2′OMe) on the 3′ terminal nucleotide. In this study, we developed a novel library preparation process using randomized splint ligation with a cleavable adapter, a design which resolves previous challenges associated with this ligation strategy. We show that a randomized splint ligation based workflow can reduce bias and increase the sensitivity of small RNA sequencing for a wide variety of small RNAs, including microRNA (miRNA) and tRNA fragments as well as 2′OMe modified RNA, including Piwi-interacting RNA and plant miRNA. Finally, we demonstrate that this workflow detects more differentially expressed miRNA between tumorous and matched normal tissues. Overall, this library preparation process allows for highly accurate small RNA sequencing and will enable studies of 2′OMe modified RNA with new levels of detail.