bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Telomere Length, Traditional Risk Factors, Factors Related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Coronary Artery Disease Events in Swiss Persons Living With HIV
Authors: Engel Tanja , Raffenberg Marieke , Schoepf Isabella C , Kootstra Neeltje A , Reiss Peter , Thorball Christian W , Hasse Barbara , Hirzel Cédric , Wissel Kerstin , Roth Jan A , Bernasconi Enos , Darling Katharine E A , Calmy Alexandra , Fellay Jacques , Kouyos Roger D , Günthard Huldrych F , Ledergerber Bruno , Tarr Philip E ,   the Swiss HIV Cohort Study
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
Leukocyte telomere length (TL) shortens with age and is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) events in the general population. Persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLWH) may have accelerated atherosclerosis and shorter TL than the general population. It is unknown whether TL is associated with CAD in PLWH.

Methods
We measured TL by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in white Swiss HIV Cohort Study participants. Cases had a first CAD event during 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2017. We matched 1–3 PLWH controls without CAD events on sex, age, and observation time. We obtained univariable and multivariable odds ratios (OR) for CAD from conditional logistic regression analyses.

Results
We included 333 cases (median age 54 years; 14% women; 83% with suppressed HIV RNA) and 745 controls. Median time (interquartile range) of TL measurement was 9.4 (5.9–13.8) years prior to CAD event. Compared to the 1st (shortest) TL quintile, participants in the 5th (longest) TL quintile had univariable and multivariable CAD event OR = 0.56 (95% confidence interval [CI], .35–.91) and OR = 0.54 (95% CI, .31–.96). Multivariable OR for current smoking was 1.93 (95% CI, 1.27–2.92), dyslipidemia OR = 1.92 (95% CI, 1.41–2.63), and for recent abacavir, cumulative lopinavir, indinavir, and darunavir exposure was OR = 1.82 (95% CI, 1.27–2.59), OR = 2.02 (95% CI, 1.34–3.04), OR = 3.42 (95% CI, 2.14–5.45), and OR = 1.66 (95% CI, 1.00–2.74), respectively. The TL-CAD association remained significant when adjusting only for Framingham risk score, when excluding TL outliers, and when adjusting for CMV-seropositivity, HCV-seropositivity, time spent with detectable HIV viremia, and injection drug use.

Conclusions
In PLWH, TL measured &gt;9 years before, is independently associated with CAD events after adjusting for multiple traditional and HIV-related factors.
Cell-Free DNA in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplantation Using a New Detection Method of Separating Donor-Derived from Recipient Cell-Free DNA
Authors: Preka Evgenia , Ellershaw Drew , Chandler Natalie , Ahlfors Helena , Spencer Helen , Chitty Lyn S , Fenton Matthew J , Marks Stephen D 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Background
The use of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a noninvasive biomarker to detect allograft damage is expanding rapidly. However, quantifying the low fraction of donor-derived cfDNA (ddcfDNA) is challenging and requires a highly sensitive technique. ddcfDNA detection through unique donor single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) is a recent new approach, however there are limited data in pediatric solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients.

Methods
We developed an assay using a combination of 61 SNPs to quantify the ddcfDNA accurately using a custom R script to model for both the patient and donor genotypes requiring only a single sample from the allograft recipient. Performance of the assay was validated using genomic DNA (gDNA), cfDNA and donor samples where available.

Results
The R “genotype-free” method gave results comparable to when using the known donor genotype. applicable to both related and unrelated pairs and can reliably measure ddcfDNA (limit of blank, below 0.12%; limit of detection, above 0.25%; limit of quantification 0.5% resulting in 84% accuracy). 159 pediatric SOT recipients (kidney, heart, and lung) were tested without the need for donor genotyping. Serial sampling was obtained from 82 patients.

Conclusion
We have developed and validated a new assay to measure the fraction of ddcfDNA in the plasma of pediatric SOT recipients. Our method can be applicable in any donor-recipient pair without the need for donor genotyping and can provide results in 48 h at a low cost. Additional prospective studies are required to demonstrate its clinical validity in a large cohort of pediatric SOT recipients.
Potential outcomes and finite-population inference for M-estimators
Authors: Xu Ruonan 
Published: July 2020

Summary
When a sample is drawn from or coincides with a finite population, the uncertainty of the coefficient estimators is often reported assuming the population is effectively infinite. The recent literature on finite-population inference instead derives an alternative asymptotic variance of the ordinary least squares estimator. Here, I extend the results to the more general setting of M-estimators and also find that the usual robust ‘sandwich’ estimator is conservative. The proposed asymptotic variance of M-estimators accounts for two sources of variation. In addition to the usual sampling-based uncertainty arising from (possibly) not observing the entire population, there is also design-based uncertainty, which is usually ignored in the common inference method, resulting from lack of knowledge of the counterfactuals. Under this alternative framework, we can obtain smaller standard errors of M-estimators when the population is treated as finite.
General anesthesia, germ cells and the missing heritability of autism: an urgent need for research
Authors: Escher Jill , Ford La Donna 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAgents of general anesthesia (GA) are commonly employed in surgical, dental and diagnostic procedures to effectuate global suppression of the nervous system, but in addition to somatic targets, the subject’s germ cells—from the embryonic primordial stage to the mature gametes—may likewise be exposed. Although GA is generally considered safe for most patients, evidence has accumulated that various compounds, in particular the synthetic volatile anesthetic gases (SVAGs) such as sevoflurane, can exert neurotoxic, genotoxic and epigenotoxic effects, with adverse consequences for cellular and genomic function in both somatic and germline cells. The purpose of this paper is to review the evidence demonstrating that GA, and in particular, SVAGs, may in some circumstances adversely impact the molecular program of germ cells, resulting in brain and behavioral pathology in the progeny born of the exposed cells. Further, we exhort the medical and scientific communities to undertake comprehensive experimental and epidemiological research programs to address this critical gap in risk assessment.
Transgenerational epigenetic reprogramming of early embryos: a mechanistic model
Authors: Spadafora Corrado 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe notion that epigenetic information can be transmitted across generations is supported by mounting waves of data, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, a model is proposed which combines different lines of experimental evidence. First, it has been shown that somatic tissues exposed to stressing stimuli release circulating RNA-containing extracellular vesicles; second, epididymal spermatozoa can take up, internalize and deliver the RNA-containing extracellular vesicles to oocytes at fertilization; third, early embryos can process RNA-based information. These elements constitute the building blocks upon which the model is built. The model proposes that a continuous stream of epigenetic information flows from parental somatic tissues to the developing embryos. The flow can cross the Weismann barrier, is mediated by circulating vesicles and epididymal spermatozoa, and has the potential to generate epigenetic traits that are then stably acquired in the offspring. In a broader perspective, it emerges that a natural ‘assembly line’ operates continuously, aiming at passing the parental epigenetic blueprint in growing embryos.
Impact of centre volume on atrial fibrillation ablation outcomes in Europe: a report from the ESC EHRA EORP Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Long-Term (AFA LT) Registry
Authors: Vassilikos Vassilios P , Pagourelias Efstathios D , Laroche Cécile , Blomström-Lundqvist Carina , Kautzner Josef , Maggioni Aldo P , Tavazzi Luigi , Dagres Nikolaos , Brugada Josep , Stühlinger Markus , Arbelo Elena ,   the AFA LT registry investigators group
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Aims
The aim of the study was to investigate differences in clinical outcomes and complication rates among European atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation centres related to the volume of AF ablations performed.

Methods and results
Data for this analysis were extracted from the ESC EHRA EORP European AF Ablation Long-Term Study Registry. Based on 33rd and 67th percentiles of number of AF ablations performed, the participating centres were classified into high volume (HV) (≥ 180 procedures/year), medium volume (MV) (&lt;180 and ≥74/year), and low volume (LV) (&lt;74/year). A total of 91 centres in 26 European countries enrolled in 3368 patients. There was a significantly higher reporting of cardiovascular complications and stroke incidence in LV centres compared with HV and MV (P = 0.039 and 0.008, respectively) and a lower success rate after AF ablation (55.3% in HV vs. 57.2% in LV vs. 67.4% in MV centres, P &lt; 0.001), despite lower CHA2DS2-VASc score of patients, enrolled in LVs and less complex ablation techniques used. Adjustments of confounding factors (including type of AF ablation) led to elimination of these differences.

Conclusion
Low-volume centres tended to present slightly higher cardiovascular complications’ and stroke incidence and a lower unadjusted success rate after AF ablation, despite the fact that ablation procedures and patients were of lower risk compared with MV and HV centres. On the other hand, adjusted overall complication and recurrence rates were non-significantly different among different volume centres, a fact reflecting the heterogeneity of patient and procedural profiles, and a counterbalance between expertise and risk level among participating centres.
Predictive role of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation after cryoballoon ablation
Authors: Stabile Giuseppe , Iacopino Saverio , Verlato Roberto , Arena Giuseppe , Pieragnoli Paolo , Molon Giulio , Manfrin Massimiliano , Rovaris Giovanni , Curnis Antonio , Bertaglia Emanuele , Mantica Massimo , Sciarra Luigi , Landolina Maurizio , Tondo Claudio 
Published: July 2020

Abstract

Aims
The aims of this study were to determine the rate and the predictors of early recurrences of atrial fibrillation (ERAF) after cryoballoon (CB) ablation and to evaluate whether ERAF correlate with the long-term outcome.

Methods and results
Three thousand, six hundred, and eighty-one consecutive patients (59.9 ± 10.5 years, female 26.5%, and 74.3% paroxysmal AF) were included in the analysis. Atrial fibrillation recurrence, lasting at least 30 s, was collected during and after the 3-month blanking period. Three-hundred and sixteen patients (8.6%) (Group A) had ERAF during the blanking period, and 3365 patients (Group B) had no ERAF. Persistent AF and number of tested anti-arrhythmic drugs ≥2 resulted as significant predictors of ERAF. After a mean follow-up of 16.8 ± 16.4 months, 923/3681 (25%) patients had at least one AF recurrence. The observed freedom from AF recurrence, at 24-month follow-up from procedure, was 25.7% and 64.8% in Groups A and B, respectively (P &lt; 0.001). ERAF, persistent AF, and number of tested anti-arrhythmic drugs ≥2 resulted as significant predictors of AF. In a propensity score matching, the logistic model showed that ERAF 1 month after ablation are the best predictor of long-term AF recurrence (P = 0.042).

Conclusion
In patients undergoing CB ablation for AF, ERAF are rare and are a strong predictor of AF recurrence in the follow-up, above all when occur &gt;30 days after the ablation.
Seismic and hydroacoustic observations from recent underwater events in the South Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Heyburn Ross , Bowers David , N. Green David 
Published: July 2020

SUMMARYTo study the location and characterize two underwater events in the South Atlantic Ocean, we analyse both seismic and hydroacoustic signals. The first event (2017 November 15) occurred around 550 km east of Argentina, near the last reported position of the Argentine Navy submarine the ARA San Juan, the seafloor wreck of which was found one year later. The second event (2017 December 1) was due to an aircraft-dropped depth charge, detonated as part of the search for the ARA San Juan. We use signal arrival times and azimuths recorded at two seismic and two hydroacoustic stations to estimate epicentres for both events; our estimates were within 10 km of the ground-truth locations. We used geophysical models and databases to determine the sound-speed structure of the water and the presence of sea-ice to help interpret differences in the frequency content and dispersion of signals at the two hydrophone stations. Hydrophone signals for the 2017 November 15 event contain significant energy at high frequencies, which is inconsistent with an earthquake source. Hydrophone signals for the 2017 December 1 event show frequency modulations consistent with those expected from the known depth and explosive energy. Hydrophone signals from the 2017 November 15 event also show frequency modulations, though differences between these for the two events suggest differences in the details of the source mechanisms. Using estimates of the local seismic magnitudes, the peak pressures recorded on the hydrophones, and the known charge weight for the 2017 December 1 event, we estimate that the 2017 November 15 event had an acoustic energy release equivalent to around 428 kg of trinitrotoluene. This analysis demonstrates the importance of high-precision traveltime predictions from models of seismic and ocean acoustic velocities when analysing low-magnitude underwater events.
Source modelling and strong ground motion simulations for the 24 January 2020, Mw 6.8 Elazığ earthquake, Turkey
Authors: Cheloni Daniele , Akinci Aybige 
Published: July 2020

SUMMARYOn 24 January 2020 an Mw 6.8 earthquake occurred at 20:55 local time (17:55 UTC) in eastern Turkey, close to the town of Sivrice in the Elazığ province, causing widespread considerable seismic damage in buildings. In this study, we analyse the main features of the rupture process and the seismic ground shaking during the Elazığ earthquake. We first use Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) interferograms (Sentinel-1 satellites) to constrain the fault geometry and the coseismic slip distribution of the causative fault segment. Then, we utilize this information to analyse the ground motion characteristics of the main shock in terms of peak ground acceleration (PGA), peak ground velocity (PGV) and spectral accelerations. The absence of seismic registrations in near-field for this earthquake imposes major constraints on the computation of seismic ground motion estimations in the study area. To do this, we have used a stochastic finite-fault simulation method to generate high-frequency ground motions synthetics for the Mw 6.8 Elazığ 2020 earthquake. Finally, we evaluate the potential state of stress of the unruptured portions of the causative fault segment as well as of adjacent segments, using the Coulomb stress failure function variations. Modelling of geodetic data shows that the 2020 Elazığ earthquake ruptured two major slip patches (for a total length of about 40 km) located along the Pütürge segment of the well-known left-lateral strike-slip East Anatolian Fault Zone (EAFZ), with up to 2.3 m of slip and an estimated geodetic moment of 1.70 $\,\, \times $ 1019 Nm (equivalent to a Mw 6.8). The position of the hypocentre supports the evidence of marked WSW rupture directivity during the main shock. In terms of ground motion characteristics, we observe that the high-frequency stochastic ground motion simulations have a good capability to reproduce the source complexity and capture the ground motion attenuation decay as a function of distance, up to the 200 km. We also demonstrate that the design spectra corresponding to 475 yr return period, provided by the new Turkish building code is not exceeded by the simulated seismograms in the epicentral area where there are no strong motion stations and no recordings available. Finally, based on the Coulomb stress distribution computation, we find that the Elazığ main shock increased the stress level of the westernmost part of the Pütürge fault and of the adjacent Palu segment and as a result of an off-fault lobe.
It Takes Two to Tango: Including a Female Perspective in Reproductive Biology
Authors: Orr Teri J , Burns Mercedes , Hawkes Kristen , Holekamp Kay E , Hook Kristin A , Josefson Chloe C , Kimmitt Abigail A , Lewis A Kelsey , Lipshutz Sara E , Lynch Kathleen S , Sirot Laura K , Stadtmauer Daniel J , Staub Nancy L , Wolfner Mariana F , Hayssen Virginia 
Published: July 2020

SynopsisLike many scientific disciplines, the field of reproductive biology is subject to biases in terminology and research foci. For example, females are often described as coy and passive players in reproductive behaviors and are termed “promiscuous” if they engage in extra-pair copulations. Males on the other hand are viewed as actively holding territories and fighting with other males. Males are termed “multiply mating” if they mate with multiple females. Similarly, textbooks often illustrate meiosis as it occurs in males but not females. This edition of Integrative and Comparative Biology (ICB) includes a series of papers that focus on reproduction from the female perspective. These papers represent a subset of the work presented in our symposium and complementary sessions on female reproductive biology. In this round table discussion, we use a question and answer format to leverage the diverse perspectives and voices involved with the symposium in an exploration of theoretical, cultural, pedagogical, and scientific issues related to the study of female biology. We hope this dialog will provide a stepping-stone toward moving reproductive science and teaching to a more inclusive and objective framework.
The Female Snark Is Still a Boojum: Looking toward the Future of Studying Female Reproductive Biology
Authors: Orr Teri J , Hayssen Virginia 
Published: July 2020

Synopsis
Philosophical truths are hidden in Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poems, such as “The hunting of the snark.” When the poem is used as a scientific allegory, a snark stands for the pursuit of scientific truth, while a boojum is a spurious discovery. In the study of female biology, boojums have been the result of the use of cultural stereotypes to frame hypotheses and methodologies. Although female reproduction is key for the continuation of sexually reproducing species, not only have females been understudied in many regards, but also data have commonly been interpreted in the context of now-outdated social mores. Spurious discoveries, boojums, are the result. In this article, we highlight specific gaps in our knowledge of female reproductive biology and provide a jumping-off point for future research. We discuss the promise of emerging methodologies (e.g., micro-CT scanning, high-throughput sequencing, proteomics, big-data analysis, CRISPR-Cas9, and viral vector technology) that can yield insights into previously cryptic processes and features. For example, in mice, deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing via chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing is already unveiling how epigenetics lead to sex differences in brain development. Similarly, new explorations, including microbiome research, are rapidly debunking dogmas such as the notion of the “sterile womb.” Finally, we highlight how understanding female reproductive biology is well suited to the National Science Foundation’s big idea, “Predicting Rules of Life.” Studies of female reproductive biology will enable scholars to (1) traverse levels of biological organization from reproductive proteins at the molecular level, through anatomical details of the ovum and female reproductive tract, into physiological aspects of whole-organism performance, leading to behaviors associated with mating and maternal care, and eventually reaching population structure and ecology; (2) discover generalizable rules such as the co-evolution of maternal-offspring phenotypes in gestation and lactation; and (3) predict the impacts of changes to reproductive timing when the reliability of environmental cues becomes unpredictable. Studies in these key areas relative to female reproduction are sure to further our understanding across a range of diverse taxa.
Quantum Q-Systems and Fermionic Sums—The Non-Simply Laced Case
Authors: Simon Lin Mingyan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In this paper, we seek to prove the equality of the $q$-graded fermionic sums conjectured by Hatayama et al. [ 14] in its full generality, by extending the results of Di Francesco and Kedem [ 9] to the non-simply laced case. To this end, we will derive explicit expressions for the quantum $Q$-system relations, which are quantum cluster mutations that correspond to the classical $Q$-system relations, and write the identity of the $q$-graded fermionic sums as a constant term identity. As an application, we will show that these quantum $Q$-system relations are consistent with the short exact sequence of the Feigin–Loktev fusion product of Kirillov–Reshetikhin modules obtained by Chari and Venkatesh [ 5].
Interventions to improve the review of antibiotic therapy in acute care hospitals: a systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Matuluko Ayodeji , Macdonald Jennifer , Ness Valerie , Currie Kay 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo synthesize current evidence for the effectiveness of interventions to ensure the timely review of antibiotics in acute care hospitals.MethodsFive databases were searched from 1 January 2015 to 8 March 2019 for studies in English, focused on the timely review of antibiotics in acute care hospitals. Randomized controlled trials, non-randomized studies, case–control and cohort study designs were eligible. Intervention strategies were categorized according to the Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care taxonomy of health interventions, then mapped to the intervention functions of the behaviour change wheel.ResultsFourteen studies were included. Most studies (11 out of 14) were conducted in single sites. Nine out of 14 reported intervention delivery by more than one healthcare professional. Physicians were the main targets of interventions in all studies. Thirteen out of 14 studies tested interventions comprising more than one strategy. The three most commonly utilized strategies within interventions were clinical practice guidelines, audit and feedback, and educational materials. Only one study employed theory in intervention evaluation. Reported interventions led to timely review and switch of IV antibiotic therapy, and shortened durations of overall antibiotic therapy.ConclusionsInterventions to improve the review of antibiotics were found to be effective in the short to medium term, with limited evidence of long-term sustainability in multiple sites. Future research may benefit from the application of theory to intervention design and detailed specifications of interventions to aid their easy replication and implementation in different contexts.