bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A nationwide study on Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. infection rates in questing Ixodes ricinus: a six‐year snapshot study in protected recreational areas in England and Wales
Authors: Cull B. , Hansford K. M. , McGinley L. , Gillingham E. L. , Vaux A. G. C. , Smith R. , Medlock J. M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the variation in Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. infection rates in Ixodes ricinus ticks is important for assessing the potential for Lyme borreliosis transmission. This study aimed to investigate infection rates of B. burgdorferi s.l. bacteria in I. ricinus across 24 field sites in England and Wales, focussing on protected recreational areas in National Parks (NPs) and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), to provide comparable data across multiple years to assess spatio‐temporal changes in B. burgdorferi s.l. infection. Working with park rangers, questing ticks were collected each spring from 2014 to 2019. A subset of ticks, 4104 nymphs, were analysed using a pan‐Borrelia qPCR assay, as well as a Borrelia miyamotoi‐specific qPCR, and sequenced to determine Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. genospecies. Site‐specific B. burgdorferi s.l. infection rates in I. ricinus nymphs varied from 0% to 24%, with overall infection rates ranging from 2.5% to 5.1% across the years. Genospecies composition of sequenced samples was 62.5% B. garinii, 20.3% B. valaisiana and 17.2% B. afzelii. Borrelia miyamotoi was detected in 0.2% of ticks. This study increases our knowledge on B. burgdorferi s.l.. infection in areas used by the public for outdoor activity across England and Wales, highlighting the spatial and temporal variability which can impact the changing risk to humans from infected tick bites.
What Lies Beneath: Exploring Different Depressive Symptoms Across Selected Risk Factors in Icelandic Team Sport Athletes
Authors: Tahtinen Richard , Kristjansdottir Hafrun , Olason Daniel T. , Morris Robert 
Published: January 2021

The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence of specific symptoms of depression in athletes and to test differences in the likelihood of athletes exhibiting these symptoms across age, sex, type of team sport, and level of competition. A sample of Icelandic male and female team sport athletes (N = 894, 18–42 years) was included in the study. Of the athletes exhibiting clinically significant depressive symptoms on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, 37.5% did not exhibit core symptoms of depression. Compared with males, females were significantly more likely to exhibit depressed mood, feelings of worthlessness/guilt, and problems with sleep, fatigue, appetite, and concentration. Within males, differences were mostly related to neurovegetative aspects of depression (sleep and appetite), whereas in females, differences were related to cognitive/emotional aspects (e.g., depressed mood, guilt/worthlessness). The findings underline the importance of exploring specific symptoms of depression to provide a richer understanding of depressive symptomology in athletes.
Utilisation of smoking cessation aids among South African adult smokers: findings from a national survey of 18 208 South African adults
Authors: Agaku Israel , Egbe Catherine , Ayo-Yusuf Olalekan 
Published: January 2021

ObjectiveTo examine the use of different cessation aids among current South African smokers who have ever tried to quit smoking.DesignCross-sectional design.SettingSouth Africa has progressively passed several policies over the past few decades to encourage smoking cessation. Data on cessation behaviours are needed to inform policymaking. We investigated utilisation of evidence-based cessation aids and e-cigarettes among current combustible smokers. Current tobacco use, past quit attempts and use of evidence-based cessation aids (counselling, nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medication) were self-reported. Data were weighted and analysed using descriptive and multivariable approaches (p<0.05).ParticipantsOnline participants were recruited from the national consumer database for News24—South Africa’s largest digital publisher. Of the 18 208 participants aged 18 years or older, there were 5657 current smokers of any combustible tobacco product (cigarettes, cigars, pipes or roll-your-own cigarettes), including 4309 who had ever attempted to quit during their lifetime.ResultsCurrent combustible tobacco smoking prevalence was 22.4% (95% CI: 21.2% to 23.5%), and 98.7% of all current smokers of any combustible tobacco were current cigarette smokers. Awareness of cessation aids was as follows among current combustible tobacco smokers: smoking cessation counselling programmes, 50.8% (95% CI: 48.1% to 53.6%); nicotine replacement therapy, 92.1% (95% CI: 90.5% to 93.6%); prescription cessation medication, 68.2% (95% CI: 65.2% to 70.6%). Awareness of cessation aids was lowest among Black Africans, men, and persons with little or no income. Of all current combustible tobacco smokers, 74.6% (95% CI: 72.2% to 76.7%) had ever attempted to quit and 42.8% (95% CI: 40.0% to 45.4%) of these quit attempters had ever used any cessation aid. Among current combustible smokers who attempted to quit in the past, ever e-cigarette users were more likely than never e-cigarette users to have ever used any cessation aid (50.6% vs 35.9%, p<0.05). Of current combustible smokers intending to quit, 66.7% (95% CI: 64.2% to 68.9%) indicated interest in using a cessation aid for future quitting. By specific aids, 24.7% (95% CI: 21.3% to 28.1%) of those planning to use any cessation aid were interested in getting help from a pharmacist, 44.6% (95% CI: 40.9% to 48.4%) from a doctor, 49.8% (95% CI: 46.0% to 53.6%) from someone who had successfully quit, 30.0% (95% CI: 26.7% to 33.4%) from a family member and 26.5% (95% CI: 23.0% to 30.0%) from web resources.ConclusionOnly two in five past quit attempters had ever used counselling/pharmacotherapy. Any putative benefits of e-cigarettes on cessation may be partly attributable to pharmacotherapy/counselling given concurrent use patterns among past quit attempters using e-cigarettes. Comprehensive tobacco control and prevention strategies can help reduce aggregate tobacco consumption.
Opposing associations of depression with sexual behaviour: implications for epidemiological investigation among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men
Authors: Miltz Ada R , Rodger Alison J , Phillips Andrew N , Sewell Janey , Edwards Simon , Allan Sris , Sherr Lorraine , Johnson Anne M , Burman William J , Lampe Fiona C 
Published: January 2021

ObjectiveThe aim of this report is to investigate the nature of the relationship between depression and condomless sex (CLS) among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM).MethodsData are from the Antiretrovirals, Sexual Transmission Risk and Attitude (ASTRA) study of people living with HIV and attending one of eight HIV outpatient clinics in England (2011–2012) and the Attitudes to and Understanding of Risk of Acquisition of HIV (AURAH) study of HIV-negative/unknown status individuals attending one of 20 genitourinary medicine clinics in England (2013–2014). This analysis included GBMSM only. For each study, the prevalence of depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥10) was presented according to three categories of sex in the past 3 months (considering anal/vaginal sex with men/women and anal sex with men in separate definitions): (1) no sex, (2) condom-protected sex only and (3) CLS. Multinomial logistic regression with ‘condom-protected sex only’ as the reference group was used to adjust for age and (for ASTRA participants) time since HIV diagnosis.ResultsThere were opposing associations of depression with recent sexual behaviour: the prevalence of depression was higher among those who reported no sex and those who reported CLS, compared with those who reported condom-protected sex only. Among the 2170 HIV-positive GBMSM in ASTRA, considering anal/vaginal sex with men/women, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 32%, 20% and 28%, respectively, among men reporting no sex (n=783), condom-protected sex only (n=551) and CLS (n=836) (global p<0.001). Among the 1477 HIV-negative GBMSM in AURAH, the prevalence of depressive symptoms was 12%, 8% and 13%, respectively, for no sex (n=137), condom-protected sex only (n=487) and CLS (n=853) (global p=0.017). Patterns were similar after adjustment and when only considering anal sex between men.ConclusionsDepression may be linked both to lack of sexual activity and to sexual risk taking. When investigating associations between depression and CLS, it is important to separate out individuals reporting condom-protected sex only from those reporting no sex.
Model-independent constraints on cosmic curvature: implication from the future space gravitational-wave antenna DECIGO
Authors: Zheng Xiaogang , Cao Shuo , Liu Yuting , Biesiada Marek , Liu Tonghua , Geng Shuaibo , Lian Yujie , Guo Wuzheng 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn order to estimate cosmic curvature from cosmological probes like standard candles, one has to measure the luminosity distance $$D_L(z)$$

D
L

(
z
)

, its derivative with respect to redshift $$D'_L(z)$$

D
L
′

(
z
)

and the expansion rate H(z) at the same redshift. In this paper, we study how such idea could be implemented with future generation of space-based DECi-hertz Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (DECIGO), in combination with cosmic chronometers providing cosmology-independent H(z) data. Our results show that for the Hubble diagram of simulated DECIGO data acting as a new type of standard siren, it would be able to constrain cosmic curvature with the precision of $$\varDelta \varOmega _k= 0.09$$

Δ

Ω
k

=
0.09

with the currently available sample of 31 measurements of Hubble parameters. In the framework of the third generation ground-based gravitational wave detectors, the spatial curvature is constrained to be $$\varDelta \varOmega _k= 0.13$$

Δ

Ω
k

=
0.13

for Einstein Telescope (ET). More interestingly, compared to other approaches aiming for model-independent estimations of spatial curvature, our analysis also achieve the reconstruction of the evolution of $$\varOmega _k(z)$$

Ω
k

(
z
)

, in the framework of a model-independent method of Gaussian processes (GP) without assuming a specific form. Therefore, one can expect that the newly emerged gravitational wave astronomy can become useful in local measurements of cosmic curvature using distant sources.
Long-Term Functional Results of a Modified Caudal-to-Cranial Approach in Laparoscopic Segmental Left Colectomy for Diverticular Disease
Authors: Manigrasso Michele , Pesce Marcella , Milone Marco , Anoldo Pietro , D’Amore Anna , Galasso Giovanni , Gennarelli Nicola , Maione Francesco , Vertaldi Sara , Sarnelli Giovanni , De Palma Giovanni Domenico 
Published: January 2021

A modified caudal-to-cranial approach to perform laparoscopic left colectomy for benign diseases has been recently designed to facilitate the low-tie mesenteric dissection. A chart review has been performed including all consecutive patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis who have been treated by segmental left colectomy with a caudal-to-cranial approach. A total of 34 patients were included in the study. 21 patients were male, mean age was

54.1
±
11.3

, and mean BMI was

26
±
5.5

. Patients with ASA Score I were 7, with ASA II were 9, and with ASA Score III were 5. Incontinence Score (IS) resulted in an average of

5
±
2
,
2

grade of incontinence and the CS score showed an average of

10
±
3
,
2

grade of constipation. Health status, evaluated by Short Form-36 questionnaire, was demonstrated in these patients’ great physical function, role, general health, and social function. The anorectal manometry performed 6 months after surgery showed a normal value in terms of the anal resting pressure (

47
±
13

mmHg) and an increased volume to stimulate desire to defecate (

197
±
25

ml). The length of the anal sphincter was normal compared to the reference value (

37
±
5.4

mm). Although further studies are required to obtain definitive conclusions, our results are encouraging to propose low-tie segmental colectomy as the standard procedure for the treatment of uncomplicated diverticulitis, and our modified surgical approach could be considered useful to facilitate the surgical approach.
STIM1 Mediates Calcium-Dependent Epigenetic Reprogramming in Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Kutschat Ana P. , Hamdan Feda H. , Wang Xin , Wixom Alexander Q. , Najafova Zeynab , Gibhardt Christine S. , Kopp Waltraut , Gaedcke Jochen , Ströbel Philipp , Ellenrieder Volker , Bogeski Ivan , Hessmann Elisabeth , Johnsen Steven A. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) displays a dismal prognosis due to late diagnosis and high chemoresistance incidence. For advanced disease stages or patients with comorbidities, treatment options are limited to gemcitabine alone or in combination with other drugs. While gemcitabine resistance has been widely attributed to the levels of one of its targets, RRM1, the molecular consequences of gemcitabine resistance in PDAC remain largely elusive. Here we sought to identify genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic events associated with gemcitabine resistance in PDAC and their potential clinical relevance. We found that gemcitabine-resistant cells displayed a coamplification of the adjacent RRM1 and STIM1 genes. Interestingly, RRM1, but not STIM1, was required for gemcitabine resistance, while high STIM1 levels caused an increase in cytosolic calcium concentration. Higher STIM1-dependent calcium influx led to an impaired endoplasmic reticulum stress response and a heightened nuclear factor of activated T-cell activity. Importantly, these findings were confirmed in patient and patient-derived xenograft samples. Taken together, our study uncovers previously unknown biologically relevant molecular properties of gemcitabine-resistant tumors, revealing an undescribed function of STIM1 as a rheostat directing the effects of calcium signaling and controlling epigenetic cell fate determination. It further reveals the potential benefit of targeting STIM1-controlled calcium signaling and its downstream effectors in PDAC.Significance:Gemcitabine-resistant and some naïve tumors coamplify RRM1 and STIM1, which elicit gemcitabine resistance and induce a calcium signaling shift, promoting ER stress resistance and activation of NFAT signaling.
Specificity of the Multi-Target Stool DNA Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening in Average-Risk 45–49 Year-Olds: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Imperiale Thomas F. , Kisiel John B. , Itzkowitz Steven H. , Scheu Bradley , Duimstra Emma Kate , Statz Sandra , Berger Barry M. , Limburg Paul J. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

High-specificity colorectal cancer screening is desirable to triage patients &lt;50 years for colonoscopy; however, most endorsed colorectal cancer screening tests have not been rigorously evaluated in younger populations. This prospective cross-sectional study determined the specificity of the multitarget stool DNA (mt-sDNA) test in an average-risk screening population of 45 to 49 year-olds. Specificity was the primary outcome and was measured in participants without colorectal cancer or advanced precancerous lesions [APL– advanced adenomas (AA), and sessile serrated lesions ≥10 mm], and in the subgroup of participants with negative colonoscopic findings. APL sensitivity was a secondary outcome. The evaluable cohort included those who completed the study without protocol deviations and had a usable mt-sDNA test. Of 983 enrolled participants, 816 formed the evaluable cohort, with a mean age of 47.8 (SD, 1.5) years; 47.7% were women. No participants had colorectal cancer, 49 had APL, 253 had nonadvanced adenomas (NAA), and 514 had negative colonoscopic findings. mt-sDNA test specificity was 95.2% (95% CI, 93.4–96.6) in participants with NAA or negative findings [96.3% (confidence interval (CI), 94.3%–97.8%)] in those with negative findings, and did not differ by sex (P = 0.75) or race (P = 0.36) in participants with NAA or negative findings. Sensitivity for APL was 32.7% (CI, 19.9–47.5%), with most APL (83.7%) measuring 10–19 mm and none having high-grade dysplasia. The area under the ROC curve for discriminating between APL and lesser findings was 0.72 (CI, 0.64–0.81). mt-sDNA's high specificity would help minimize risk from unnecessary diagnostic procedures in this age group. This study shows that mt-sDNA has high specificity among average-risk 45 to 49-year olds, supporting its use as a noninvasive option for colorectal cancer screening.

Prevention Relevance:
This study shows that mt-sDNA has high specificity among average-risk 45–49 year olds, supporting its use as a non-invasive option for colorectal cancer screening.
Systematic Approach to High Implantation of SAPIEN-3 Valve Achieves a Lower Rate of Conduction Abnormalities Including Pacemaker Implantation
Authors: Sammour Yasser , Banerjee Kinjal , Kumar Arnav , Lak Hassan , Chawla Sanchit , Incognito Cameron , Patel Jay , Kaur Manpreet , Abdelfattah Omar , Svensson Lars G. , Tuzcu E. Murat , Reed Grant W. , Puri Rishi , Yun James , Krishnaswamy Amar , Kapadia Samir 
Published: January 2021

Background:
The conventional method of implanting balloon-expandable SAPIEN-3 (S3) valve results in a final 70:30 or 80:20 ratio of the valve in the aorta:left ventricular outflow tract with published rates of permanent pacemaker around 10%. We sought to evaluate whether higher implantation of S3 reduces conduction abnormalities including the need for permanent pacemaker.

Methods:
We included consecutive patients who underwent transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement using S3 between April 2015 and December 2018 and compared outcomes with typical valve deployment strategy to our more contemporary high deployment technique (HDT). We excluded patients with nontransfemoral access or valve-in-valve.

Results:

Among 1028 patients, HDT was performed in 406 patients (39.5%). Mean implantation depth under the noncoronary cusp was significantly smaller with HDT compared with conventional technique (1.5±1.6 versus 3.2±1.9 mm;
P
<0.001). Successful implantation was achieved in 100% of the patients in both groups with no cases of conversion to open heart surgery, second valve implantation within the first transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or coronary occlusion during transcatheter aortic valve replacement. One patient (0.2%) had valve embolization with HDT (
P
=0.216). Thirty-day permanent pacemaker rates were lower with HDT (5.5% versus 13.1%;
P
<0.001), as were rates of complete heart block (3.5% versus 11.2%;
P
<0.001) and new-onset left bundle branch block (5.3% versus 12.2%;
P
<0.001). There were no differences in mild (16.5% versus 15.9%;
P
=0.804), or moderate-to-severe aortic regurgitation (1% versus 2.7%;
P
=0.081) at 1 year. HDT was associated with slightly higher 1-year mean gradients (13.1±6.2 versus 11.8±4.9 mm Hg;
P
=0.042) and peak gradients (25±11.9 versus 22.5±9 mm Hg;
P
=0.026). However, Doppler velocity index was similar (0.47±0.15 versus 0.48±0.13;
P
=0.772).

Conclusions:
Our novel technique for balloon-expandable S3 valve positioning consistently achieves higher implantation resulting in substantial reduction in conduction abnormalities and permanent pacemaker requirement after transcatheter aortic valve replacement without compromising procedural safety or valve hemodynamics. Operators should consider this as an important technique to improve patient outcomes.
Charney Problem with a Generic Stratosphere
Authors: Mak Mankin , Zhao Siyu , Deng Yi 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis paper reports a comprehensive instability analysis of a 3D Charney-like model with an observationally compatible generic stratosphere. It is found that the values of a single nondimensional parameter (detailed definition in text), in conjunction with representative values of four other nondimensional parameters, would dictate the existence of multiple branches of unstable modes as a function of the zonal wavenumber. Prototype Charney mode, Green mode, and two additional structurally distinct modes (Charney+ mode and tropopause mode) are identified. The latter result from the additional strong influence of the tropopause. The dynamical nature of all modes is delineated in terms of their meridional fluxes of heat and potential vorticity. The three-dimensional structure of the ageostrophic velocity field in each mode is presented to identify its potential of inducing frontogenesis. Optimal-mode analyses are also performed to ascertain how a disturbance with a predisposed structure would explosively develop toward each type of normal mode. In view of the pivotal role of Γ in baroclinic instability and for historical reason, we name it the Charney number. It is most instructive to think of Γ as a ratio of the meridional gradient of PV associated with the basic flow in the troposphere, , to that associated with Earth’s rotation, β.
Assimilation of Vegetation Conditions Improves the Representation of Drought over Agricultural Areas
Authors: Mocko David M. , Kumar Sujay V. , Peters-Lidard Christa D. , Wang Shugong 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study presents an evaluation of the impact of vegetation conditions on a land surface model (LSM) simulation of agricultural drought. The Noah-MP LSM is used to simulate water and energy fluxes and states, which are transformed into drought categories using percentiles over the continental United States from 1979 to 2017. Leaf area index (LAI) observations are assimilated into the dynamic vegetation scheme of Noah-MP. A weekly operational drought monitor (the U.S. Drought Monitor) is used for the evaluation. The results show that LAI assimilation into Noah-MP’s dynamic vegetation scheme improves the model’s ability to represent drought, particularly over cropland areas. LAI assimilation improves the simulation of the drought category, detection of drought conditions, and reduces the instances of drought false alarms. The assimilation of LAI in these locations not only corrects model errors in the simulation of vegetation, but also can help to represent unmodeled physical processes such as irrigation toward improved simulation of agricultural drought.
Deep Eastern Boundary Currents: Idealized Models and Dynamics
Authors: Yang Xiaoting , Tziperman Eli , Speer Kevin 
Published: January 2021

AbstractConcentrated poleward flows along eastern boundaries between 2- and 4-km depth in the southeast Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans have been observed, and appear in data assimilation products and regional model simulations at sufficiently high horizontal resolution, but their dynamics are still not well understood. We study the local dynamics of these deep eastern boundary currents (DEBCs) using idealized GCM simulations, and we use a conceptual vorticity model for the DEBCs to gain additional insights into the dynamics. Over most of the zonal width of the DEBCs, the vorticity balance is between meridional advection of planetary vorticity and vortex stretching, which is an interior-like vorticity balance. Over a thinner layer very close to the eastern boundary, a balance between vorticity tendencies due to friction and stretching that rapidly decay away from the boundary is found. Over the part of the DEBC that is governed by an interior-like vorticity balance, vertical stretching is driven by both the topography and temperature diffusion, while in the thinner boundary layer, it is driven instead by parameterized horizontal temperature mixing. The topographic driving acts via a cross-isobath flow that leads to stretching and thus to vorticity forcing for the concentrated DEBCs.