bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk prediction of COVID-19 incidence and mortality in a large multi-national hemodialysis cohort: implications for management of the pandemic in outpatient hemodialysis settings
Authors: Haarhaus Mathias , Santos Carla , Haase Michael , Mota Veiga Pedro , Lucas Carlos , Macario Fernando 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Experiences from the first wave of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic can aid in the development of future preventive strategies. To date, risk prediction models for COVID-19-related incidence and outcomes in hemodialysis (HD) patients are missing.

Methods
We developed risk prediction models for COVID-19 incidence and mortality among HD patients. We studied 38 256 HD patients from a multi-national dialysis cohort between 3 March and 3 July 2020. Risk prediction models were developed and validated, based on predictors readily available in outpatient HD units. We compared mortality among patients with and without COVID-19, matched for age, sex and diabetes.

Results
During the observational period, 1259 patients (3.3%) acquired COVID-19. Of these, 62% were hospitalized or died. Mortality was 22% among COVID-19 patients with odds ratios 219.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 80.6–359] to 342.7 (95% CI 60.6–13 595.1), compared to matched patients without COVID-19. Since the first wave of the pandemic affected most European countries during the study, the risk prediction model for incidence of COVID-19 was developed and validated in European patients only [N = 22 826 area under the ROC curve(AUC)Dev 0.64, AUCVal 0.69]. The model for prediction of mortality was developed in all COVID-19 patients (AUCDev 0.71, AUCVal 0.78). Angiotensin receptor blockers were independently associated with a lower incidence of COVID-19 in European patients.

Conclusions
We identified modifiable risk factors for COVID-19 incidence and outcome in HD patients. Our risk prediction tools can be readily applied in clinical practice. This can aid in the development of preventive strategies for future waves of COVID-19.
CMT: An Efficient Algorithm for Scalable Packet Classification
Authors: Chen Shuhui , Zhong Jincheng , Huang Teng , Wei Ziling , Zhao Shuang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPacket classification plays an essential role in diverse network functions such as quality of service, firewall filtering and load balancer. However, implementing an efficient packet classifier is a challenging problem. The problem even gets worse in the era of software-defined network, in which frequent rule updates are performed, and complex flow tables are used. This paper proposes CMT, a new software algorithm named by its novel data structure—common mask tree—to implement an efficient multi-field packet classifier. The core idea of CMT is to combine the strengths of both decision-tree and tuple-space schemes by employing tree-like structures and hash tables simultaneously. The objective of CMT is to achieve both high classification performance and fast rule updates. In the evaluation section, CMT is compared with decision-tree and tuple-space schemes. Compared to the state-of-the-art decision-tree methods, CMT performs rule updates at two orders of magnitude faster. CMT has a stable performance on different rulesets and achieves a 40% improvement in memory access compared to the state-of-the-art tuple-space method.
Strain by speckle tracking echocardiography correlates with electroanatomic scar location and burden in ischaemic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Trivedi Siddharth J , Campbell Timothy , Stefani Luke D , Thomas Liza , Kumar Saurabh 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Aims
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) in ischaemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) originates from scar, identified as low-voltage areas with invasive high-density electroanatomic mapping (EAM). Abnormal myocardial deformation on speckle tracking strain echocardiography can non-invasively identify scar. We examined if regional and global longitudinal strain (GLS) can localize and quantify low-voltage scar identified with high-density EAM.

Methods and results
We recruited 60 patients, 40 ICM patients undergoing VT ablation and 20 patients undergoing ablation for other arrhythmias as controls. All patients underwent an echocardiogram prior to high-density left ventricular (LV) EAM. Endocardial bipolar and unipolar scar location and percentage were correlated with regional and multilayer GLS. Controls had normal GLS and normal bipolar and unipolar voltages. There was a strong correlation between endocardial and mid-myocardial longitudinal strain and endocardial bipolar scar percentage for all 17 LV segments (r = 0.76–0.87, P &lt; 0.001) in ICM patients. Additionally, indices of myocardial contraction heterogeneity, myocardial dispersion (MD), and delta contraction duration (DCD) correlated with bipolar scar percentage. Endocardial and mid-myocardial GLS correlated with total LV bipolar scar percentage (r = 0.83; 0.82, P &lt; 0.001 respectively), whereas epicardial GLS correlated with epicardial bipolar scar percentage (r = 0.78, P &lt; 0.001). Endocardial GLS −9.3% or worse had 93% sensitivity and 82% specificity for predicting endocardial bipolar scar &gt;46% of LV surface area.

Conclusions
Multilayer strain analysis demonstrated good linear correlations with low-voltage scar by invasive EAM. Validation studies are needed to establish the utility of strain as a non-invasive tool for quantifying scar location and burden, thereby facilitating mapping and ablation of VT.
Development of an international standard set of clinical and patient-reported outcomes for children and adults with congenital heart disease: a report from the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement Congenital Heart Disease Working Group
Authors: Hummel Kevin , Whittaker Sarah , Sillett Nick , Basken Amy , Berghammer Malin , Chalela Tomás , Chauhan Julie , Garcia Luis Antonio , Hasan Babar , Jenkins Kathy , Ladak Laila Akbar , Madsen Nicolas , March Almudena , Pearson Disty , Schwartz Steven M , St Louis James D , van Beynum Ingrid , Verstappen Amy , Williams Roberta , Zheleva Bistra , Hom Lisa , Martin Gerard R 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Aims
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital malformation. Despite the worldwide burden to patient wellbeing and health system resource utilization, tracking of long-term outcomes is lacking, limiting the delivery and measurement of high-value care. To begin transitioning to value-based healthcare in CHD, the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement aligned an international collaborative of CHD experts, patient representatives, and other stakeholders to construct a standard set of outcomes and risk-adjustment variables that are meaningful to patients.

Methods and results
The primary aim was to identify a minimum standard set of outcomes to be used by health systems worldwide. The methodological process included four key steps: (i) develop a working group representative of all CHD stakeholders; (ii) conduct extensive literature reviews to identify scope, outcomes of interest, tools used to measure outcomes, and case-mix adjustment variables; (iii) create the outcome set using a series of multi-round Delphi processes; and (iv) disseminate set worldwide. The Working Group established a 15-item outcome set, incorporating physical, mental, social, and overall health outcomes accompanied by tools for measurement and case-mix adjustment variables. Patients with any CHD diagnoses of all ages are included. Following an open review process, over 80% of patients and providers surveyed agreed with the set in its final form.

Conclusion
This is the first international development of a stakeholder-informed standard set of outcomes for CHD. It can serve as a first step for a lifespan outcomes measurement approach to guide benchmarking and improvement among health systems.
Farm income in European agriculture: new perspectives on measurement and implications for policy evaluation
Authors: Finger Robert , El Benni Nadja 
Published: February 2021

AbstractViable farm households contribute to the resilience of agricultural and food systems. Farm income is a policy-relevant proxy for this viability. Here, we address three key aspects of farm income: first, the income issue, focusing on (average) income levels; second, the variability issue, focusing on income risks faced by farmers; and third, the inequality issue, focusing on the heterogeneity and (in-)equalities of farm incomes. This special issue presents new perspectives on measurement, modelling, development and policies related to the income of farm families in Europe, especially in the light of increasing complexity of farms and policies and risk exposure.
The physical activity paradox in cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality: the contemporary Copenhagen General Population Study with 104 046 adults
Authors: Holtermann Andreas , Schnohr Peter , Nordestgaard Børge Grønne , Marott Jacob Louis 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Aims
Leisure time physical activity associates with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, while these relationships for occupational physical activity are unclear. We tested the hypothesis that leisure time physical activity associates with reduced major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality risk, while occupational physical activity associates with increased risks.

Methods and results
We studied 104 046 women and men aged 20–100 years in the Copenhagen General Population Study with baseline measurements in 2003–2014 and median 10-year follow-up. Both leisure and occupational physical activity were based on self-report with four response categories. We observed 7913 (7.6%) MACE and 9846 (9.5%) deaths from all causes. Compared to low leisure time physical activity, multivariable adjusted (for lifestyle, health, living conditions, and socioeconomic factors) hazard ratios for MACE were 0.86 (0.78–0.96) for moderate, 0.77 (0.69–0.86) for high, and 0.85 (0.73–0.98) for very high activity; corresponding values for higher occupational physical activity were 1.04 (0.95–1.14), 1.15 (1.04–1.28), and 1.35 (1.14–1.59), respectively. For all-cause mortality, corresponding hazard ratios for higher leisure time physical activity were 0.74 (0.68–0.81), 0.59 (0.54–0.64), and 0.60 (0.52–0.69), and for higher occupational physical activity 1.06 (0.96–1.16), 1.13 (1.01–1.27), and 1.27 (1.05–1.54), respectively. Similar results were found within strata on lifestyle, health, living conditions, and socioeconomic factors, and when excluding individuals dying within the first 5 years of follow-up. Levels of the two domains of physical activity did not interact on risk of MACE (P = 0.40) or all-cause mortality (P = 0.31).

Conclusion
Higher leisure time physical activity associates with reduced MACE and all-cause mortality risk, while higher occupational physical activity associates with increased risks, independent of each other.
Tillage shapes the soil and rhizosphere microbiome of barley—but not its susceptibility towards Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei
Authors: Bziuk Nina , Maccario Lorrie , Douchkov Dimitar , Lueck Stefanie , Babin Doreen , Sørensen Søren J , Schikora Adam , Smalla Kornelia 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACT
Long-term agricultural practices are assumed to shape the rhizosphere microbiome of crops with implications for plant health. In a long-term field experiment, we investigated the effect of different tillage and fertilization practices on soil and barley rhizosphere microbial communities by means of amplicon sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments from total community DNA. Differences in the microbial community composition depending on the tillage practice, but not the fertilization intensity were revealed. To examine whether these soil and rhizosphere microbiome differences influence the plant defense response, barley (cultivar Golden Promise) was grown in field or standard potting soil under greenhouse conditions and challenged with Blumeria graminis f. sp. hordei (Bgh). Amplicon sequence analysis showed that preceding tillage practice, but also aboveground Bgh challenge significantly influenced the microbial community composition. Expression of plant defense-related genes PR1b and PR17b was higher in challenged compared to unchallenged plants. The Bgh infection rates were strikingly lower for barley grown in field soil compared to potting soil. Although previous agricultural management shaped the rhizosphere microbiome, no differences in plant health were observed. We propose therefore that the management-independent higher microbial diversity of field soils compared to potting soils contributed to the low infection rates of barley.
Dust-borne microbes affectUlva ohnoi’s growth and physiological state
Authors: Krupnik Nimrod , Asis Dorin Theodora , Belkin Natalia , Rubin-Blum Maxim , Israel Álvaro , Paytan Adina , Meiri David , Herut Barak , Rahav Eyal 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTThe marine macroalgae Ulva sp. is considered an ecosystem engineer in rocky shores of temperate waters worldwide. Ulva sp. harbors a rich diversity of associated microbial epibionts, which are known to affect the algae's typical morphological development and ‘health’. We examined the interaction between airborne microbes derived from atmospheric aerosols and Ulva ohnoi growth and physiological state. Specifically, we measured U. ohnoi growth rates and photosynthetic efficiency (Fv/Fm), alongside its microbial epibionts abundance, activity and diversity following dust (containing nutrients and airborne microorganisms) or UV-treated dust (only nutrients) amendments to filtered seawater. Parallel incubations with epibionts-free U. ohnoi (treated with antibiotics that removed the algae epibionts) were also tested to specifically examine if dust-borne microbes can replenish the epibiont community of U. ohnoi. We show that viable airborne microbes can restore U. ohnoi natural microbial epibionts communities, thereby keeping the seaweed alive and ‘healthy’. These results suggest that microbes delivered through atmospheric aerosols can affect epiphyte biodiversity in marine flora, especially in areas subjected to high annual atmospheric dust deposition such as the Mediterranean Sea.
Fungal immunity and pathogenesis in mammals versus the invertebrate model organismGalleria mellonella
Authors: F. Q. Smith Daniel , Casadevall Arturo 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTIn recent decades, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) have emerged as a model system to explore experimental aspects of fungal pathogenesis. The benefits of the G. mellonella model include being faster, cheaper, higher throughput and easier compared with vertebrate models. Additionally, as invertebrates, their use is subject to fewer ethical and regulatory issues. However, for G. mellonella models to provide meaningful insight into fungal pathogenesis, the G. mellonella–fungal interactions must be comparable to mammalian–fungal interactions. Indeed, as discussed in the review, studies suggest that G. mellonella and mammalian immune systems share many similarities, and fungal virulence factors show conserved functions in both hosts. While the moth model has opened novel research areas, many comparisons are superficial and leave large gaps of knowledge that need to be addressed concerning specific mechanisms underlying G. mellonella–fungal interactions. Closing these gaps in understanding will strengthen G. mellonella as a model for fungal virulence in the upcoming years. In this review, we provide comprehensive comparisons between fungal pathogenesis in mammals and G. mellonella from immunological and virulence perspectives. When information on an antifungal immune component is unknown in G. mellonella, we include findings from other well-studied Lepidoptera. We hope that by outlining this information available in related species, we highlight areas of needed research and provide a framework for understanding G. mellonella immunity and fungal interactions.
A short anogenital distance on MRI is a marker of endometriosis
Authors: Crestani A , Abdel Wahab C , Arfi A , Ploteau S , Kolanska K , Breban M , Bendifallah S , Ferrier C , Darai E 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSTUDY QUESTIONCould the anogenital distance (AGD) as assessed by MRI (MRI-AGD) be a diagnostic tool for endometriosis?SUMMARY ANSWERA short MRI-AGD is a strong diagnostic marker of endometriosis.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADYA short clinically assessed AGD (C-AGD) is associated with the presence of endometriosis.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATIONThis study is a re-analysis of previously published data from a case–control study.PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODSWomen undergoing pelvic surgery from January 2018 to June 2019 and who had a preoperative pelvic MRI were included. C-AGD was measured at the beginning of the surgery by a different operator who was unaware of the endometriosis status. MRI-AGD was measured retrospectively by a senior radiologist who was blinded to the final diagnosis. Two measurements were made: from the posterior wall of the clitoris to the anterior edge of the anal canal (MRI-AGD-AC), and from the posterior wall of the vagina to the anterior edge of the anal canal (MRI-AGD-AF).MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCEThe study compared MRI-AGD of 67 women with endometriosis to 31 without endometriosis (controls). Average MRI-AGD-AF measurements were 13.3 mm (±3.9) and 21.2 mm (±5.4) in the endometriosis and non-endometriosis groups, respectively (P &lt; 10−5). Average MRI-AGD-AC measurements were 40.4 mm (±7.3) and 51.1 mm (±8.6) for the endometriosis and non-endometriosis groups, respectively (P &lt; 10−5). There was no difference of MRI-AGD in women with and without endometrioma (P = 0.21), or digestive involvement (P = 0.26). Moreover, MRI-AGD values were independent of the revised score of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine and the Enzian score. The diagnosis of endometriosis was negatively associated with both the MRI-AGD-AF (β = −7.79, 95% CI (−9.88; −5.71), P &lt; 0.001) and MRI-AGD-AC (β = −9.51 mm, 95% CI (−12.7; 6.24), P &lt; 0.001) in multivariable analysis. Age (β = +0.31 mm, 95% CI (0.09; 0.53), P = 0.006) and BMI (β = +0.44 mm, 95% CI (0.17; 0.72), P = 0.001) were positively associated with the MRI-AGD-AC measurements in multivariable analysis. MRI-AGD-AF had an AUC of 0.869 (95% CI (0.79; 0.95)) and outperformed C-AGD. Using an optimal cut-off of 20 mm for MRI-AGD-AF, a sensitivity of 97.01% and a specificity of 70.97% were noted.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTIONThis was a retrospective analysis and no adolescents had been included.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGSThis study is consistent with previous works associating a short C-AGD with endometriosis and the absence of correlation with the disease phenotype. MRI-AGD is more accurate than C-AGD in this setting and could be evaluated in the MRI examination of patients with suspected endometriosis.STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)N/A.TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERThe protocol was approved by the ‘Groupe Nantais d’Ethique dans le Domaine de la Santé’ and registered under reference 02651077.
Isogenies of Elliptic Curves Over Function Fields
Authors: Griffon Richard , Pazuki Fabien 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We prove two theorems concerning isogenies of elliptic curves over function fields. The first one describes the variation of the height of the $j$-invariant in an isogeny class. The second one is an “isogeny estimate,” providing an explicit bound on the degree of a minimal isogeny between two isogenous elliptic curves. We also give several corollaries of these two results.
Circulating CD4 T Cells Elicited by Endemic Coronaviruses Display Vast Disparities in Abundance and Functional Potential Linked to Antigen Specificity and Age
Authors: Richards Katherine A , Glover Maryah , Crawford Jeremy C , Thomas Paul G , White Chantelle , Sant Andrea J 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Repeated infections with endemic human coronaviruses (hCoV) are thought to reflect lack of long-lasting protective immunity. We evaluated circulating human CD4 T cells collected prior to 2020 for reactivity towards hCoV spike proteins, probing for the ability to produce interferon-γ, interleukin-2, or granzyme B. We found robust reactivity to spike-derived epitopes, comparable to influenza, but highly variable abundance and functional potential across subjects, depending on age and viral antigen specificity. To explore potential of these memory cells to be recruited in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, we examined the subjects for cross-reactive recognition of epitopes from SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid, membrane/envelope, and spike. Functional potential of these cross-reactive CD4 T cells was highly variable; nucleocapsid-specific CD4 T cells but not spike-reactive cells showed exceptionally high levels of granzyme production upon stimulation. These results are considered in light of recruitment of hCoV-reactive cells into responses to SARS-CoV infections or vaccinations.
Emergence of a multidrug resistance efflux pump with carbapenem resistance gene blaVIM-2 in a Pseudomonas putida megaplasmid of migratory bird origin
Authors: Li Ruichao , Peng Kai , Xiao Xia , Liu Yuan , Peng Daxin , Wang Zhiqiang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Background
Tigecycline and carbapenems are regarded as vital antimicrobials to treat serious bacterial infections. Co-occurrence of resistance genes conferring resistance to both tigecycline and carbapenems in Pseudomonas spp. was not investigated.

Objectives
To characterize a megaplasmid co-harbouring tmexCD1-toprJ1 and blaVIM-2 in Pseudomonas putida of migratory bird origin.

Methods
One tigecycline- and carbapenem-resistant strain was isolated and characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conjugation assay, WGS and bioinformatics analysis.

Results
The strain P. putida ZXPA-20 resistant to meropenem and tigecycline was positive for blaVIM-2 and tmexCD1-toprJ1 genes. The gene blaVIM-2 was inserted into the backbone of the megaplasmid pZXPA-20 within a Tn5090-like structure. The genetic context of tmexCD1-toprJ1 in the megaplasmid was identical to many chromosomal tmexCD1-toprJ1 of Pseudomonas species. Plasmid-mediated tmexCD1-toprJ1 gene cluster in Pseudomonas spp. was more common than that in Klebsiella pneumoniae. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of co-occurrence of blaVIM-2 and tmexCD1-toprJ1 in one plasmid.

Conclusions
Emergence of plasmid-mediated carbapenem and tigecycline resistance genes in P. putida from migratory birds highlighted the importance of surveillance of novel mobile resistance genes in migratory birds, which may play a vital role in global transmission of novel resistance genes.