bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polygenic risk scores for coronary artery disease and subsequent event risk amongst established cases
Authors: Howe Laurence J , Dudbridge Frank , Schmidt Amand F , Finan Chris , Denaxas Spiros , Asselbergs Folkert W , Hingorani Aroon D , Patel Riyaz S 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
There is growing evidence that polygenic risk scores (PRSs) can identify individuals with elevated lifetime risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Whether they can also be used to stratify the risk of subsequent events among those surviving a first CAD event remain uncertain, with possible biological differences between CAD onset and progression, and the potential for index event bias.

Methods
Using two baseline subsamples of UK Biobank: prevalent CAD cases (N = 10 287) and individuals without CAD (N = 393 108), we evaluated associations between a CAD PRS and incident cardiovascular and fatal outcomes.

Results
A 1 SD higher PRS was associated with an increased risk of incident myocardial infarction (MI) in participants without CAD (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.29, 1.38), but the effect estimate was markedly attenuated in those with prevalent CAD (OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.06, 1.25) and heterogeneity P = 0.0012. Additionally, among prevalent CAD cases, we found an evidence of an inverse association between the CAD PRS and risk of all-cause death (OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.85, 0.98) compared with those without CAD (OR 1.01; 95% CI 0.99, 1.03) and heterogeneity P = 0.0041. A similar inverse association was found for ischaemic stroke [prevalent CAD (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.67, 0.90); without CAD (OR 1.09; 95% CI 1.04, 1.15), heterogeneity P &lt; 0.001].

Conclusions
Bias induced by case stratification and survival into UK Biobank may distort the associations of PRS derived from case-control studies or populations initially free of disease. Differentiating between effects of possible biases and genuine biological heterogeneity is a major challenge in disease progression research.
Association Between Change in Inflammatory Aspects of Diet and Change in IBD-related Inflammation and Symptoms Over 1 Year: The Manitoba Living With IBD Study
Authors: Vagianos Kathy , Shafer Leigh Anne , Witges Kelcie , Targownik Laura E , Haviva Clove , Graff Lesley A , Sexton Kathryn A , Lix Lisa M , Sargent Michael , Bernstein Charles N 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
We aimed to investigate (1) the stability of inflammatory aspects of diet over 1 year among persons with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and (2) the impact of change in diet on changes in inflammation and IBD symptoms over 1 year.

Methods
Participants were recruited to the Manitoba Living with IBD Study and completed the Harvard Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and the Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index (EDII) were used to calculate the inflammatory potential of the diet. Inflammation was measured by fecal calprotectin (≥250 µg/g). Symptoms were measured by the IBD Symptom Inventory (IBDSI). All measures were obtained at baseline and 1 year. Dietary Inflammatory Index and Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Index scores &gt;0 and &lt;0 reflect pro- and anti-inflammatory diet, respectively. Variance components analyses were used to describe diet stability. Associations between changes in diet and changes in active inflammation and symptoms were assessed using ordinal logistic regression and multilevel linear regression modeling.

Results
One hundred thirty-five participants (66% CD) were included. Approximately one third of the variance in EDII (36%) and DII (33%) scores was explained by changes in diet over time. Each unit increase in the change in EDII (baseline to follow-up) was associated with a greater odds of FCAL, indicating active inflammation (&gt;250 µg/g; odds ratio, 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–9.93; P = 0.04) and with a rise in IBDSI of 6.7 (95% CI, 1.0–12.4; P = 0.022; theoretical IBDSI range, 0–81). There was no association between changes in DII and changes in FCAL or IBDSI.

Conclusion
The EDII, but not the DII, may have utility to identify the inflammatory potential of diet. This inflammatory potential can contribute to inflammation and/or disease symptoms in persons with IBD.
Discontinuous Galerkin finite element methods for the Landau–de Gennes minimization problem of liquid crystals
Authors: Maity Ruma Rani , Majumdar Apala , Nataraj Neela 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
We consider a system of second-order nonlinear elliptic partial differential equations that models the equilibrium configurations of a two-dimensional planar bistable nematic liquid crystal device. Discontinuous Galerkin (dG) finite element methods are used to approximate the solutions of this nonlinear problem with nonhomogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions. A discrete inf–sup condition demonstrates the stability of the dG discretization of a well-posed linear problem. We then establish the existence and local uniqueness of the discrete solution of the nonlinear problem. A priori error estimates in the energy and $\mathbf{L}^2$ norms are derived and a best approximation property is demonstrated. Further, we prove the quadratic convergence of the Newton iterates along with complementary numerical experiments.
Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness by A(H3N2) Phylogenetic Subcluster and Prior Vaccination History: 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 Epidemics in Canada
Authors: Skowronski Danuta M , Leir Siobhan , Sabaiduc Suzana , Chambers Catharine , Zou Macy , Rose Caren , Olsha Romy , Dickinson James A , Winter Anne-Luise , Jassem Agatha , Gubbay Jonathan B , Drews Steven J , Charest Hugues , Chan Tracy , Hickman Rebecca , Bastien Nathalie , Li Yan , Krajden Mel , De Serres Gaston 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
The influenza A(H3N2) vaccine was updated from clade 3C.3a in 2015–2016 to 3C.2a for 2016–2017 and 2017–2018. Circulating 3C.2a viruses showed considerable hemagglutinin glycoprotein diversification and the egg-adapted vaccine also bore mutations.

Methods
Vaccine effectiveness (VE) in 2016–2017 and 2017–2018 was assessed by test-negative design, explored by A(H3N2) phylogenetic subcluster and prior season’s vaccination history.

Results
In 2016–2017, A(H3N2) VE was 36% (95% confidence interval [CI], 18%–50%), comparable with (43%; 95% CI, 24%–58%) or without (33%; 95% CI, −21% to 62%) prior season’s vaccination. In 2017–2018, VE was 14% (95% CI, −8% to 31%), lower with (9%; 95% CI, −18% to 30%) versus without (45%; 95% CI, −7% to 71%) prior season’s vaccination. In 2016–2017, VE against predominant clade 3C.2a1 viruses was 33% (95% CI, 11%–50%): 18% (95% CI, −40% to 52%) for 3C.2a1a defined by a pivotal T135K loss of glycosylation; 60% (95% CI, 19%–81%) for 3C.2a1b (without T135K); and 31% (95% CI, 2%–51%) for other 3C.2a1 variants (with/without T135K). VE against 3C.2a2 viruses was 45% (95% CI, 2%–70%) in 2016–2017 but 15% (95% CI, −7% to 33%) in 2017–2018 when 3C.2a2 predominated. VE against 3C.2a1b in 2017–2018 was 37% (95% CI, −57% to 75%), lower at 12% (95% CI, −129% to 67%) for a new 3C.2a1b subcluster (n = 28) also bearing T135K.

Conclusions
Exploring VE by phylogenetic subcluster and prior vaccination history reveals informative heterogeneity. Pivotal mutations affecting glycosylation sites, and repeat vaccination using unchanged antigen, may reduce VE.
Impact of Malaria in Pregnancy on Risk of Malaria in Young Children: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses
Authors: Park Sangshin , Nixon Christina E , Miller Olivia , Choi Nam-Kyong , Kurtis Jonathan D , Friedman Jennifer F , Michelow Ian C 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
Our objective was to quantify the risk of acquiring malaria among progeny of women with malaria during pregnancy.

Methods
We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library for eligible prospective studies. The primary predictor was malaria during pregnancy defined as placental malaria, parasitemia, clinical malaria, or pregnancy-associated malaria. Primary outcomes were parasitemia or clinically defined malaria of young children. We performed meta-analyses to pool adjusted risk estimates using a random-effects model.

Results
Nineteen of 2053 eligible studies met inclusion criteria for the systemic review. Eleven of these studies were quantitative and were included in the meta-analyses. The pooled adjusted odds ratio (aOR) or adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of malaria during pregnancy for detection of parasitemia in young children were 1.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93–4.07; P = .08) and 1.46 (95% CI, 1.07–2.00; P &lt; .001), respectively. The pooled aOR or aHR for clinically defined malaria in young children were 2.82 (95% CI, 1.82–4.38; P &lt; .001) and 1.31 (95% CI, 0.96–1.79; P = .09), respectively.

Conclusions
Our results confirmed that malaria during pregnancy significantly increased the overall risk of malaria in young children via indeterminate mechanisms and emphasize the urgent need to implement safe and highly effective strategies to prevent malaria during pregnancy.
The South in “Global IR”: Worlding Beyond the “Non-West” in the Case of Brazil
Authors: Kristensen Peter Marcus 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAs international relations has started to grapple with its geo-cultural parochialism, the focus has been on its “Western-centrism” and on how “non-Western” international relations might be different. This article argues that attempts to deprovincialize “Western” (i.e., Euro-American) international thought do not always revolve around “non-Westernness,” a negation with often cultural-civilizational connotations, but also deploy a North/South worlding that is more bound up with imperial-colonial experience and a “peripheral” concern with economic insertion into the core. Based on interviews with scholars, diplomats, and foreign policy intellectuals in Brazil, the paper explores the different ways “the South” is deployed—as (post)colonial subjectivity, as problematique, as relation, as outside, and as political move—to provide an alternative intervention into the debate on “Global IR.”
The Great Divides: Incommensurability, the Impossibility of Mixed-Methodology, and What to Do about It
Authors: Beach Derek , Kaas Jonas Gejl 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThere is still significant confusion about how multimethod research can be undertaken and even if it is possible. The article makes the claims that much of the confusion is the result of a failure to distinguish between multimethod and multimethodology research. We argue that there are at least three different methodological languages: variance-based, case-based, and interpretivist. The article starts by discussing the ontological and epistemological foundations underlying the three different methodologies that result in them making very different types of claims evidenced with very different empirical material. Variance-based methodologies assesses mean causal effects across a set of cases, whereas case-based methodologies focus on how a causal process works within a case. Markedly different from the causally oriented variance- and case-bases approaches, interpretivist research ask questions about human meaning-making in specific contexts. While the claim of methodological incommensurability is not a new claim, the contribution we make in this article is to unpack more clearly the irreconcilable differences that exist across the three methodologies and how they play out in international studies scholarship, and to provide suggestions for what we can do about it.
Supplemental methionine and stocking density affect antioxidant status, fatty acid profiles, and growth performance of broiler chickens
Authors: Magnuson Andrew D , Liu Guanchen , Sun Tao , Tolba Samar A , Xi Lin , Whelan Rose , Lei Xin Gen 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBroilers stocked in high densities may be prone to oxidative and inflammatory insults, resulting in impaired health status, growth performance, and meat quality. This study was to determine if 30% extra supplemental dl-methionine alleviated or prevented those adverse effects of a higher stocking density in broiler chickens. A total of 560 male Cornish Cross cockerels (day old) were divided into four groups: two stocking densities (9 and 12 birds/m2) and two supplementations of methionine (grower: 2.90 or 3.77 g/kg and finisher: 2.60 or 3.38 g/kg). Growth performance was recorded weekly. Blood and tissues were sampled at the end of each period. High stocking density decreased (P &lt; 0.05) body weight and growth performance of growers and (or) finishers. Those differences were partially attenuated by the extra methionine supplementation. The high methionine elevated (P &lt; 0.05) glutathione (GSH) concentration in the thigh at both ages (&gt; 24%). The high stocking density elevated (&gt;28%, P &lt; 0.05) glutathione concentration in the plasma, breast, and thigh of growers, but decreased (P &lt; 0.05) it in the liver of growers and thigh of finishers. Interaction effects (P &lt; 0.05) between dietary methionine and stocking density were found on activities of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione S-transferase in the liver of growers and breast, thigh, and adipose tissue of finishers. The interaction effect was also found on activities of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the thigh of growers. The extra methionine decreased (P &lt; 0.05) hepatic gene expression of heat shock protein 90 (18%) and thigh and breast malondialdehyde concentrations of the finishers (35%). In conclusion, the 30% extra dl-methionine supplementation was able to partially mitigate adverse effects caused by the higher stocking density and to improve the redox status of the broilers.
Four versus six chemotherapy cycles in endometrial carcinoma with a high risk of recurrence: a retrospective study
Authors: Mayama Michinori , Asano Hiroshi , Nomura Eiji , Ihira Kei , Nozaki Ayako , Kato Tatsuya , Konno Yousuke , Mitamura Takashi , Kobayashi Noriko , Takeda Mahito , Kudo Masataka , Watari Hidemichi 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Objective
This study compared the survival outcomes and the incidence of chemotherapy-related adverse events in endometrial cancer patients who received four and six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy to examine the optimal number of adjuvant chemotherapy cycles.

Methods
A total of 112 patients with endometrial cancer with a high risk of recurrence were retrospectively enrolled; 46 patients received four cycles and 66 received six cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. Between-group differences of overall survival, disease-free survival, hematological and non-hematological toxicities were analyzed. Baseline patient’s background differences were assessed with inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity score.

Results
Overall and disease-free survivals between the two groups were not significantly different. Paclitaxel + carboplatin, every 3–4 weeks was the most frequently used chemotherapy regimen in both groups. Patients in the six-cycle chemotherapy group developed neutropenia G4 or febrile neutropenia more frequently than those in the four-cycle group; odds ratio (95% confidence interval) is 4.07 (1.51–10.96). Peripheral sensory neuropathy was the most frequently observed non-hematological toxicity; the incidence of peripheral sensory neuropathy was not significantly different between four- and six-cycle chemotherapy group, P = 0.832. The result was same in the subgroup analysis in patients who received TC regimen, P = 0.455.

Conclusion
This study implies a possible benefit of fewer cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy in endometrial cancer patients with a high risk of recurrence because of the lower incidence of hematological toxicities without impairing survival outcomes.
Lethal Effects of a Silica Gel + Thyme Oil (EcoVia) Dust and Aqueous Suspensions on Amblyomma americanum (Ixodida: Ixodidae) Larvae and Nymphs
Authors: Showler Allan T , Dorsey Bailee N , Caesar Ryan M 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIxodids suck blood from host animals and transmit pathogens that cause important medical and veterinary diseases. As synthetic conventional acaricide resistance becomes increasingly common, alternative tactics are likely to enhance control efforts. Laboratory bioassays assessed the lethality of CimeXa, a commercial silica gel desiccant dust, and EcoVia, a commercial product containing silica gel + thyme oil, against lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), larvae and nymphs. Both life stages were completely killed by CimeXa by 24 h, and EcoVia achieved total larval mortality within 1 h when they were initially immersed in the dusts and when they crawled across treated substrate. Larvae were killed faster than nymphs. Temporary immersion of A. americanum larvae and nymphs in aqueous suspensions of the dusts were less effective than exposure to the dusts applied dry. Larval and nymphal mortality associated with crawling on dried aqueous suspensions of the products was also not as strong as when the immature life stages crawled across substrate treated with dry dusts, and EcoVia was not more efficient than CimeXa. CimeXa and EcoVia can likely be used to protect cattle in a prophylactic context because silica gel does not degrade, and EcoVia might be effective at eliminating ticks that are feeding on cattle as well. We suggest that the two dust products be assessed for efficacy against other ixodid species, such as the southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini), which transmits the causal agents of babesiosis to cattle.
Contribution of Germline Predisposition Gene Mutations to Breast Cancer Risk in African American Women
Authors: Palmer Julie R , Polley Eric C , Hu Chunling , John Esther M , Haiman Christopher , Hart Steven N , Gaudet Mia , Pal Tuya , Anton-Culver Hoda , Trentham-Dietz Amy , Bernstein Leslie , Ambrosone Christine B , Bandera Elisa V , Bertrand Kimberly A , Bethea Traci N , Gao Chi , Gnanaolivu Rohan D , Huang Hongyan , Lee Kun Y , LeMarchand Loic , Na Jie , Sandler Dale P , Shah Payal D , Yadav Siddhartha , Yang William , Weitzel Jeffrey N , Domchek Susan M , Goldgar David E , Nathanson Katherine L , Kraft Peter , Yao Song , Couch Fergus J 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Background
The risks of breast cancer in African American (AA) women associated with inherited mutations in breast cancer predisposition genes are not well defined. Thus, whether multigene germline hereditary cancer testing panels are applicable to this population is unknown. We assessed associations between mutations in panel-based genes and breast cancer risk in 5054 AA women with breast cancer and 4993 unaffected AA women drawn from 10 epidemiologic studies.

Methods
Germline DNA samples were sequenced for mutations in 23 cancer predisposition genes using a QIAseq multiplex amplicon panel. Prevalence of mutations and odds ratios (ORs) for associations with breast cancer risk were estimated with adjustment for study design, age, and family history of breast cancer.

Results
Pathogenic mutations were identified in 10.3% of women with estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast cancer, 5.2% of women with ER-positive breast cancer, and 2.3% of unaffected women. Mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, and PALB2 were associated with high risks of breast cancer (OR = 47.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.43 to &gt;100; OR = 7.25, 95% CI = 4.07 to 14.12; OR = 8.54, 95% CI = 3.67 to 24.95, respectively). RAD51D mutations were associated with high risk of ER-negative disease (OR = 7.82, 95% CI = 1.61 to 57.42). Moderate risks were observed for CHEK2, ATM, ERCC3, and FANCC mutations with ER-positive cancer, and RECQL mutations with all breast cancer.

Conclusions
The study identifies genes that predispose to breast cancer in the AA population, demonstrates the validity of current breast cancer testing panels for use in AA women, and provides a basis for increased referral of AA patients for cancer genetic testing.
The impact of light and temperature on chromatin organization and plant adaptation
Authors: Perrella Giorgio , Zioutopoulou Anna , Headland Lauren R , Kaiserli Eirini 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Light and temperature shape the developmental trajectory and morphology of plants. Changes in chromatin organization and nuclear architecture can modulate gene expression and lead to short- and long-term plant adaptation to the environment. Here, we review recent reports investigating how changes in chromatin composition, structure, and topology modulate gene expression in response to fluctuating light and temperature conditions resulting in developmental and physiological responses. Furthermore, the potential application of novel revolutionary techniques, such Hi-C, RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and padlock-FISH, to study the impact of environmental stimuli such as light and temperature on nuclear compartmentalization in plants is discussed.
A Rapid and Accurate Detection Approach for Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Based on PCR-ELISA Microplate Hybridization Assay
Authors: Zhou Ye-Cheng , He Shu-Mei , Wen Zi-Lu , Zhao Jun-Wei , Song Yan-Zheng , Zhang Ying , Zhang Shu-Lin 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Rapid and accurate diagnosis of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is important for timely and appropriate therapy. In this study, a rapid and easy-to-perform molecular test that integrated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and a specific 96-well microplate hybridization assay, called PCR-ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), were developed for detection of mutations in rpoB, katG, and inhA genes responsible for rifampin (RIF) and isoniazid (INH) resistance and prediction of drug susceptibility in Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates. We evaluated the utility of this method by using 32 multidrug-resistent (MDR) isolates and 22 susceptible isolates; subsequently, we compared the results with data obtained by conventional drug susceptibility testing and DNA sequencing. The sensitivity and specificity of the PCR-ELISA test were 93.7% and 100% for detecting RIF resistance, and 87.5% and 100% for detecting INH resistance, respectively. These results were comparable to those yielded by commercially available molecular tests such as the GenoType MTBDRplus assay. Based on the aforementioned results, we conclude that the PCR-ELISA microplate hybridization assay is a rapid, inexpensive, convenient, and reliable test that will be useful for rapid diagnosis of MDR-TB, for improved clinical care.
Measuring line-of-sight sodium density structure using laser guide stars
Authors: Hellemeier Joschua A , Bonaccini Calia Domenico , Hickson Paul , Otarola Angel , Pfrommer Thomas 
Published: March 2020

ABSTRACT
The performance of adaptive optics systems employing sodium laser guide stars can be improved by continuously monitoring the vertical density structure of mesospheric sodium along the line of sight. We demonstrate that sodium density profiles can be retrieved by amplitude modulation of continuous wave (CW) lasers. In an experiment conducted at the Large Zenith Telescope (LZT), ESO’s Wendelstein Raman-fibre laser was amplitude-modulated with a pseudo-random binary sequence and profiles were obtained by cross-correlation of the modulation pattern with the observed return signal from the laser guide star. For comparison, high-resolution profiles were obtained simultaneously using the lidar system of the LZT. The profiles obtained by the two techniques show noise contamination, but were found to agree to within the measurement error. As a further check, a comparison was also made between several lidar profiles and those obtained by simultaneous observations using a remote telescope to image the laser plume from the side. The modulated CW lidar technique could be implemented by diverting a small fraction of the returned laser light to a photon counting detector. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations indicate that, for 50 per cent modulation strength, the sodium centroid altitude could be retrieved every 5 s from a single laser guide star, with an accuracy which would induce a corresponding wavefront error of 50 nm for the Extremely Large Telescope and less than 30 nm for the Thirty Meter Telescope and Giant Magellan Telescope. If multiple laser guide stars are employed, the required modulation amplitude will be smaller.