bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Partnership and Cognitive Aging in Europe: Mediating Factors and Social Stratification
Authors: Bertogg Ariane , Leist Anja K 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Living in a partnership has been shown to benefit later life health in general and decrease the risk of cognitive impairment. Few studies have, however, examined whether different types of partnership transitions also differ with respect to their impact on cognitive trajectories, and whether financial resources, healthy behaviors, cognitive stimulation, and social integration can explain these differences.

Methods
Data came from six waves of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, which is a representative panel for the population aged 50 years or older, and were collected between 2004 and 2017 in 20 European countries. Our sample includes 215,989 valid person-year observations from 78,984 persons. The mean age at baseline is 64 years, and individuals were observed on average 2.7 times. Cognitive functioning was assessed with measures of immediate and delayed recall on a memory test and verbal fluency. Fixed effects regression models were employed to exploit individual-level variation in partnership and simultaneous cognitive changes.

Results
Partnership status was stable in most respondents (around 90%). Compared to remaining partnered and after controlling for sociodemographic factors, transition to divorce was associated with a steeper decline in immediate and delayed recall. Exploring possible mechanisms, both financial resources and social integration, explained these differences. Additional analyses suggested that effects were mostly driven by individuals with lower education.

Discussion
Partnership transitions remain infrequent events in later life, but our findings indicate that they can induce less favorable cognitive trajectories compared to partnered individuals, particularly for those with lower cognitive reserve.
The role of C-reactive protein as a prognostic marker in COVID-19
Authors: Stringer Dominic , Braude Philip , Myint Phyo K , Evans Louis , Collins Jemima T , Verduri Alessia , Quinn Terry J , Vilches-Moraga Arturo , Stechman Michael J , Pearce Lyndsay , Moug Susan , McCarthy Kathryn , Hewitt Jonathan , Carter Ben ,   COPE Study Collaborators, Bruce Eilidh , Einarsson Alice , McGovern Aine , Bisset Carly , Alexander Ross , Guaraldi Giovanni , Murphy Caroline , Kelly Joanna , Jichi Mutasem Tarik El , Singh Sandeep , Paxton Dolcie , Harris Will , Hesford James , Holloway Mark , Mitchel Emma , Rickard Frances , Galbraith Norman , Bhatti Emma , Edwards Jenny , Duffy Siobhan , Barlow-Pay Fenella , Garcia Madeline , Sangani Shefali , Kneen Thomas , Lee Thomas , Price Angeline , Davey Charlotte , Jones Sheila , Lunstone Kiah , Cavenagh Alice , Silver Charlotte , Telford Thomas , Simmons Rebecca 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a non-specific acute phase reactant elevated in infection or inflammation. Higher levels indicate more severe infection and have been used as an indicator of COVID-19 disease severity. However, the evidence for CRP as a prognostic marker is yet to be determined. The aim of this study is to examine the CRP response in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and to determine the utility of CRP on admission for predicting inpatient mortality.

Methods
Data were collected between 27 February and 10 June 2020, incorporating two cohorts: the COPE (COVID-19 in Older People) study of 1564 adult patients with a diagnosis of COVID-19 admitted to 11 hospital sites (test cohort) and a later validation cohort of 271 patients. Admission CRP was investigated, and finite mixture models were fit to assess the likely underlying distribution. Further, different prognostic thresholds of CRP were analysed in a time-to-mortality Cox regression to determine a cut-off. Bootstrapping was used to compare model performance [Harrell’s C statistic and Akaike information criterion (AIC)].

Results
The test and validation cohort distribution of CRP was not affected by age, and mixture models indicated a bimodal distribution. A threshold cut-off of CRP ≥40 mg/L performed well to predict mortality (and performed similarly to treating CRP as a linear variable).

Conclusions
The distributional characteristics of CRP indicated an optimal cut-off of ≥40 mg/L was associated with mortality. This threshold may assist clinicians in using CRP as an early trigger for enhanced observation, treatment decisions and advanced care planning.
High Levels of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Persist in the Lower Respiratory Tract of Critically Ill Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Ouwendijk Werner J D , Raadsen Matthijs P , van Kampen Jeroen J A , Verdijk Robert M , von der Thusen Jan H , Guo Lihui , Hoek Rogier A S , van den Akker Johannes P C , Endeman Henrik , Langerak Thomas , Molenkamp Richard , Gommers Diederik , Koopmans Marion P G , van Gorp Eric C M , Verjans Georges M G M , Haagmans Bart L 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Lower respiratory tract (LRT) disease induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can deteriorate to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Because the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) is implicated in ARDS pathogenesis, we investigated the presence of NETs and correlates of pathogenesis in blood and LRT samples of critically ill patients with COVID-19. Plasma NET levels peaked early after intensive care unit admission and were correlated with the SARS-CoV-2 RNA load in sputum and levels of neutrophil-recruiting chemokines and inflammatory markers in plasma samples. The baseline plasma NET quantity was correlated with disease severity but was not associated with soluble markers of thrombosis or with development of thrombosis. High NET levels were present in LRT samples and persisted during the course of COVID-19, consistent with the detection of NETs in bronchi and alveolar spaces in lung tissue from deceased patient with COVID-19. Thus, NETs are produced and retained in the LRT of critically ill patients with COVID-19 and could contribute to SARS-CoV-2–induced ARDS disease.
Humoral immunological kinetics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and diagnostic performance of serological assays for coronavirus disease 2019: an analysis of global reports
Authors: Emeribe Anthony Uchenna , Abdullahi Idris Nasir , Shuwa Halima Ali , Uzairue Leonard , Musa Sanusi , Anka Abubakar Umar , Adekola Hafeez Aderinsayo , Bello Zakariyya Muhammad , Rogo Lawal Dahiru , Aliyu Dorcas , Haruna Shamsuddeen , Usman Yahaya , Muhammad Habiba Yahaya , Gwarzo Abubakar Muhammad , Nwofe Justin Onyebuchi , Chiwar Hassan Musa , Okwume Chukwudi Crescent , Animasaun Olawale Sunday , Fasogbon Samuel Ayobami , Olayemi Lawal , Ogar Christopher , Emeribe Chinenye Helen , Ghamba Peter Elisha , Awoniyi Luqman O , Musa Bolanle O P 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to rise and second waves are reported in some countries, serological test kits and strips are being considered to scale up an adequate laboratory response. This study provides an update on the kinetics of humoral immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and performance characteristics of serological protocols (lateral flow assay [LFA], chemiluminescence immunoassay [CLIA] and ELISA) used for evaluations of recent and past SARS-CoV-2 infection. A thorough and comprehensive review of suitable and eligible full-text articles was performed on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Wordometer and medRxiv from 10 January to 16 July 2020. These articles were searched using the Medical Subject Headings terms ‘COVID-19’, ‘Serological assay’, ‘Laboratory Diagnosis’, ‘Performance characteristics’, ‘POCT’, ‘LFA’, ‘CLIA’, ‘ELISA’ and ‘SARS-CoV-2’. Data from original research articles on SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection ≥second day postinfection were included in this study. In total, there were 7938 published articles on humoral immune response and laboratory diagnosis of COVID-19. Of these, 74 were included in this study. The detection, peak and decline period of blood anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM, IgG and total antibodies for point-of-care testing (POCT), ELISA and CLIA vary widely. The most promising of these assays for POCT detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 at day 3 postinfection and peaked on the 15th day; ELISA products detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG at days 2 and 6 then peaked on the eighth day; and the most promising CLIA product detected anti-SARS-CoV-2 at day 1 and peaked on the 30th day. The most promising LFA, ELISA and CLIA that had the best performance characteristics were those targeting total SARS-CoV-2 antibodies followed by those targeting anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG then IgM. Essentially, the CLIA-based SARS-CoV-2 tests had the best performance characteristics, followed by ELISA then POCT. Given the varied performance characteristics of all the serological assays, there is a need to continuously improve their detection thresholds, as well as to monitor and re-evaluate their performances to assure their significance and applicability for COVID-19 clinical and epidemiological purposes.
Miniaturized Microbiological Method to Determine the Potency of Rifaximin in Tablets
Authors: Correa Clara Bersi Motta , Kogawa Ana Carolina , Chorilli Marlus , Salgado Hérida Regina Nunes 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
Rifaximin, a semi-synthetic antimicrobial, does not present microbiological method described in official compendia, and there is a lack of literature on this topic. The quality control of antimicrobials is extremely important to evaluate the real potency of pharmaceutical products.

Objective
A miniaturized turbidimetric method for determining the potency of rifaximin in tablets was developed and validated by turbidimetry, according to the international guidelines.

Method
Escherichia coli ATCC 10536 IAL 2393, brain heart infusion (BHI) broth, inoculum at 8%, rifaximin in purified water with 20% ethanol at 5, 10, and 20 μg/mL and 530 nm were used.

Results
The method was considered selective for rifaximin, as the adjuvants did not show activity; linear with correlation coefficients 0.9998 for standard and 0.9999 for sample; accurate with 99.73% recovery; precise with RSD less than 3%; and robust in the face of small variations in (i) rifaximin volume, (ii) proportion of ethanol, (iii) inoculum volume.

Conclusions
The method is considered adequate and safe to evaluate the potency of rifaximin in tablets, contemplating speed, low cost, low waste generation, and ease of operation.

Highlights
This work usescurrent, sustainable, and green analytical chemistry and can be used in the routine analyses of rifaximin by laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry around the world.
Going, Going, Gone? Assessing Iran's Possible Grounds for Withdrawal from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Authors: Evans Christopher P. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
The recent targeted strike resulting in the death of Qassem Soleimani has received extensive attention for its violations of international law by the US. However, one area that has not been considered following the 3 January 2020 attack is the possible consequences this may have for Iran's nuclear non-proliferation legal obligations. Iranian officials have previously alluded to the possibility of Iran withdrawing from the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) 1968 following the US withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action in May 2018 and re-imposition of targeted economic sanctions against Iran. This article considers whether Iran can withdraw from the NPT, thus freeing Iran from its legal commitments not to develop nuclear weapons. It revisits the withdrawal provisions found in Article X of the NPT and examines the invocation of the ‘extraordinary events’ clause by other states in relation to other instruments too. In light of this, the discussion considers whether Iran can legally withdraw from the NPT, before concluding with some thoughts as to whether it should in fact pursue this option.
Counselling practices in an East Javan district, Indonesia: what information is commonly gathered by pharmacy staff?
Authors: Suryaputra Grace , Setiadi Adji Prayitno , Wibowo Yosi Irawati , Setiawan Eko , Sunderland Bruce 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Counselling by pharmacy staff plays a key role in ensuring the quality use of medications in community settings. Information gathering is the first step and an essential part of counselling. Yet, data on information gathering during counselling in Indonesia is lacking.

Objective
To identify pharmacy staff’s practice of counselling and information gathered during counselling in an East Javan district, Indonesia.

Methods
A survey questionnaire was conducted in community-based health facilities in the district (i.e. 3 hospital outpatient clinics, 69 community pharmacies and 24 Community Health Centres [CHCs]); one health facility was represented by one pharmacy staff. Quantitative content analysis was used to summarise data regarding information gathering.

Key findings
Sixty-six pharmacy staff responded, giving a 69% response rate. Almost all staff reported providing counselling; those at CHCs and outpatient clinics mostly provided prescription medicine counselling (95.5% and 100.0%, respectively), while those at community pharmacies mostly provided non-prescription medicine counselling (symptom-based versus product-based requests: 94.9% versus 71.8%, respectively). For non-prescription counselling, the most frequent information gathered was details of symptoms (symptoms-based versus product-based requests: 97.3% versus 75.0%, respectively). While for prescription medication counseling, pharmacy staff mostly asked the patient’s identity (76.2%). Less than 20% of the pharmacy staff for non-prescription/prescription medication counselling gathered information on concurrent medications or history of allergies or adverse drug reactions.

Conclusions
Pharmacy staff in these Indonesian settings provided prescription/non-prescription counselling to some extent. Improved information gathering skills are required for effective counselling, especially for prescription medications, thus ensuring rational drug use among Indonesians.
The importance of trustworthy sources of scientific information in risk communication with the public
Authors: Crick Malcolm J 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
In the event of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency, effective communication with the public on radiation risks is important in order to contain and rein in damage to physical and mental health, and social and economic consequences. The purpose of this paper is to summarize features of trustworthy sources of scientific information, and to convey their importance in radiation risk communication by recalling other aspects influencing the effectiveness of that communication. This will draw on key references in the literature, augmented with some experience and insight gleaned from a professional career of more than 35 years at the national and international level, including contributing to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) work on the consequences of the Chernobyl accident (1990–1995), heading its incident and emergency centre (1996–2005), and as the secretary (2005–2018) of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), which conducts scientific reviews on the levels and effects of radiation exposure. The paper highlights the necessity of sound science and trustworthy sources, and recapitulates the main elements needed both to ensure solid conclusions on radiation epidemiology and to foster trust. The paper concludes that, while sound science and trustworthy sources are necessary, they are in themselves to a greater or lesser degree insufficient to ensure fully effective risk communication. Some of the major problems in communicating this science are highlighted to help others charged with preparing for and conducting this onerous task in the future.
Surgical technique: an improvisation in application of the technique of core-cut fistulectomy for fistula-in-ano
Authors: Parwez Masoom , Huda Tanweerul , Mital Kushal , Pandya Bharati 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Cryptoglandular fistula-in-ano is a chronic inflammatory condition of the perianal region attributed to the obstruction of the glands, located chiefly at the dentate line and their subsequent infection. Anal fistulae are difficult to treat, and minimally invasive procedures are evolving with promises. We present an improvised application of core-cut technique of fistulectomy. It is a minimally invasive, simple, effective and easy to perform procedure with minimal risk of incontinence and recurrence in simple cryptoglandular fistulae-in-ano. We performed 47 cases with good results and present this procedure to emphasize the procedural modification used.
Relational perspectives as situated visualizations of art collections
Authors: Bludau Mark-Jan , Dörk Marian , Heidmann Frank 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
With relational perspectives, we examine the potential of traversing cultural collections along the richness of individual facets and relations through the process of developing an exploration-centered visualization. Cultural collections can contain thousands of artifacts, of which each typically possesses a diverse set of properties and individual facets constituting a unique relationship to the rest of the collection. Therefore, to create an appropriate representation of the complex data of each underlying artifact, oftentimes, it is not only interesting to get an overview of the entire collection from one perspective, but to explore the specific context of an artifact and the various relations it may have to other items. To investigate the potential of relational perspectives, we selected an art collection as a particularly promising case study. By following and reporting from a collaborative and iterative design process with an art museum, we developed a web interface that contrasts a collection overview with three situated visualizations each exposing a different kind of relational perspective on the art collection from an artifact.
Unraveling the Complex Hybrid Ancestry and Domestication History of Cultivated Strawberry
Authors: Hardigan Michael A , Lorant Anne , Pincot Dominique D A , Feldmann Mitchell J , Famula Randi A , Acharya Charlotte B , Lee Seonghee , Verma Sujeet , Whitaker Vance M , Bassil Nahla , Zurn Jason , Cole Glenn S , Bird Kevin , Edger Patrick P , Knapp Steven J 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Cultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is one of our youngest domesticates, originating in early eighteenth-century Europe from spontaneous hybrids between wild allo-octoploid species (Fragaria chiloensis and Fragaria virginiana). The improvement of horticultural traits by 300 years of breeding has enabled the global expansion of strawberry production. Here, we describe the genomic history of strawberry domestication from the earliest hybrids to modern cultivars. We observed a significant increase in heterozygosity among interspecific hybrids and a decrease in heterozygosity among domesticated descendants of those hybrids. Selective sweeps were found across the genome in early and modern phases of domestication—59–76% of the selectively swept genes originated in the three less dominant ancestral subgenomes. Contrary to the tenet that genetic diversity is limited in cultivated strawberry, we found that the octoploid species harbor massive allelic diversity and that F. × ananassa harbors as much allelic diversity as either wild founder. We identified 41.8 M subgenome-specific DNA variants among resequenced wild and domesticated individuals. Strikingly, 98% of common alleles and 73% of total alleles were shared between wild and domesticated populations. Moreover, genome-wide estimates of nucleotide diversity were virtually identical in F. chiloensis,F. virginiana, and F. × ananassa (π = 0.0059–0.0060). We found, however, that nucleotide diversity and heterozygosity were significantly lower in modern F. × ananassa populations that have experienced significant genetic gains and have produced numerous agriculturally important cultivars.
Fra-1 regulates its target genes via binding to remote enhancers without exerting major control on chromatin architecture in triple negative breast cancers
Authors: Bejjani Fabienne , Tolza Claire , Boulanger Mathias , Downes Damien , Romero Raphaël , Maqbool Muhammad Ahmad , Zine El Aabidine Amal , Andrau Jean-Christophe , Lebre Sophie , Brehelin Laurent , Parrinello Hughes , Rohmer Marine , Kaoma Tony , Vallar Laurent , Hughes Jim R , Zibara Kazem , Lecellier Charles-Henri , Piechaczyk Marc , Jariel-Encontre Isabelle 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe ubiquitous family of dimeric transcription factors AP-1 is made up of Fos and Jun family proteins. It has long been thought to operate principally at gene promoters and how it controls transcription is still ill-understood. The Fos family protein Fra-1 is overexpressed in triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) where it contributes to tumor aggressiveness. To address its transcriptional actions in TNBCs, we combined transcriptomics, ChIP-seqs, machine learning and NG Capture-C. Additionally, we studied its Fos family kin Fra-2 also expressed in TNBCs, albeit much less. Consistently with their pleiotropic effects, Fra-1 and Fra-2 up- and downregulate individually, together or redundantly many genes associated with a wide range of biological processes. Target gene regulation is principally due to binding of Fra-1 and Fra-2 at regulatory elements located distantly from cognate promoters where Fra-1 modulates the recruitment of the transcriptional co-regulator p300/CBP and where differences in AP-1 variant motif recognition can underlie preferential Fra-1- or Fra-2 bindings. Our work also shows no major role for Fra-1 in chromatin architecture control at target gene loci, but suggests collaboration between Fra-1-bound and -unbound enhancers within chromatin hubs sometimes including promoters for other Fra-1-regulated genes. Our work impacts our view of AP-1.
Introduction to radiomics and radiogenomics in neuro-oncology: implications and challenges
Authors: Beig Niha , Bera Kaustav , Tiwari Pallavi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNeuro-oncology largely consists of malignancies of the brain and central nervous system including both primary as well as metastatic tumors. Currently, a significant clinical challenge in neuro-oncology is to tailor therapies for patients based on a priori knowledge of their survival outcome or treatment response to conventional or experimental therapies. Radiomics or the quantitative extraction of subvisual data from conventional radiographic imaging has recently emerged as a powerful data-driven approach to offer insights into clinically relevant questions related to diagnosis, prediction, prognosis, as well as assessing treatment response. Furthermore, radiogenomic approaches provide a mechanism to establish statistical correlations of radiomic features with point mutations and next-generation sequencing data to further leverage the potential of routine MRI scans to serve as “virtual biopsy” maps. In this review, we provide an introduction to radiomic and radiogenomic approaches in neuro-oncology, including a brief description of the workflow involving preprocessing, tumor segmentation, and extraction of “hand-crafted” features from the segmented region of interest, as well as identifying radiogenomic associations that could ultimately lead to the development of reliable prognostic and predictive models in neuro-oncology applications. Lastly, we discuss the promise of radiomics and radiogenomic approaches in personalizing treatment decisions in neuro-oncology, as well as the challenges with clinical adoption, which will rely heavily on their demonstrated resilience to nonstandardization in imaging protocols across sites and scanners, as well as in their ability to demonstrate reproducibility across large multi-institutional cohorts.