bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic importance of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score in patients undergoing cardiac resynchronisation therapy
Authors: Ikeya Yukitoshi , Saito Yuki , Nakai Toshiko , Kogawa Rikitake , Otsuka Naoto , Wakamatsu Yuji , Kurokawa Sayaka , Ohkubo Kimie , Nagashima Koichi , Okumura Yasuo 
Published: October 2021

AimsMalnutrition is common and associated with worse clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). The Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score is an integrated index for evaluating diverse aspects of the complex mechanism of malnutrition. However, the relationship between the severity of malnutrition assessed by the CONUT score and clinical outcomes of HF patients receiving cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) has not been fully clarified.MethodsClinical records of 263 patients who underwent pacemaker or defibrillator implantation for CRT between March 2003 and October 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. The CONUT score was calculated from laboratory data obtained before CRT device implantation. Patients were divided into three groups: normal nutrition (CONUT scores 0–1, n=58), mild malnutrition (CONUT scores 2–4, n=132) and moderate or severe malnutrition (CONUT scores 5–12, n=73). The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality.ResultsThe moderate or severe malnutrition group had a lower body mass index, more advanced New York Heart Association functional class, higher Clinical Frailty Scale score, lower levels of haemoglobin and higher levels of N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (all p<0.05). In the moderate or severe malnutrition group, the CRT response rate was significantly lower than for the other two groups (p=0.001). During a median follow-up period of 31 (10–67) months, 103 (39.1%) patients died. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the moderate or severe malnutrition group had a significantly higher mortality rate (log-rank p<0.001). A higher CONUT score and CONUT score ≥5 remained significantly associated with all-cause mortality after adjusting for previously reported clinically relevant factors and the conventional risk score (VALID-CRT risk score) (all p<0.05).ConclusionsA higher CONUT score before CRT device implantation was strongly associated with HF severity, frailty, lower CRT response rate and subsequent long-term all-cause mortality.
Impact of selected clinical pharmacy services on medication safety and prescription cost of patients attending a selected primary healthcare setting: a translational experience from a resource-limited country
Authors: Herath Kaumada Binoli , Rodrigo U A A , Senadheera G P S G , Samaranayaka Shyamalee , Samaranayake Nithushi R 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Purpose of the study
The impact of clinical pharmacy (CP) services on primary healthcare (PH) is less well studied in resource-limited countries. We aimed to evaluate the effect of selected CP services on medication safety and prescription cost at a PH setting in Sri Lanka.

Study design
Patients attending a PH medical clinic with medications prescribed at the same visit were selected using systematic random sampling. A medication history was obtained and medications were reconciled and reviewed using four standard references. Drug-related problems (DRPs) were identified and categorised, and severities were assessed using the National Coordinating Council Medication Error Reporting and Prevention Index. Acceptance of DRPs by prescribers was assessed. Prescription cost reduction due to CP interventions was assessed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test at 5% significance.

Results
Among 150 patients approached, 51 were recruited. Nearly half (58.8%) reported financial difficulties in purchasing medications. DRPs identified were 86. Of them, 13.9% (12 of 86) DRPs were identified when taking a medication history (administration errors (7 of 12); self-prescribing errors (5 of 12)), 2.3% (2 of 86) during reconciliation, and 83.7% (72 of 86) during medication reviewing (wrong indication (18 of 72), wrong strength (14 of 72), wrong frequency (19 of 72), wrong route of administration (2 of 72), duplication (3 of 72), other (16 of 72)). Most DRPs (55.8%) reached the patient, but did not cause harm. Prescribers accepted 65.8% (56 of 86) DRPs identified by researchers. The individual prescription cost reduced significantly due to CP interventions (p&lt;0.001).

Conclusions
Implementing CP services could potentially improve medication safety at a PH level even in resource-limited settings. Prescription cost could be significantly reduced for patients with financial difficulties in consultation with prescribers.
Influence of cigarillo packaging characteristics on young adults’ perceptions and intentions: findings from three online experiments
Authors: Jeong Michelle , Wackowski Olivia A , Schroth Kevin R J , Strasser Andrew A , Delnevo Cristine D 
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesPackaging is an important component of tobacco marketing that influences product perceptions and use intentions. However, little research exists on cigar packaging. We leveraged variability in existing Swisher Sweets cigarillo packaging to extend the evidence base.MethodsBetween 2017 and 2019, we conducted three online experiments with 774 young adult past-year cigar smokers recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk. After viewing Swisher package images that differed by flavour descriptor and/or colour, participants rated them on perceptions and purchase intentions. In study 1, participants viewed one of four cigarillos (‘Wild Rush Encore’, ‘Wild Rush Limited’, ‘Twisted Berry’ and ‘Strawberry’). In study 2, participants viewed two different watermelon rum-flavoured cigarillos (‘Boozy Watermelon’ and ‘Island Madness’). In study 3, participants viewed two of three ‘Wild Rush’ cigarillo versions (‘Encore’ with or without an explicit flavour descriptor or ‘Limited’).ResultsIn study 1, more participants perceived ‘Twisted Berry’ and ‘Wild Rush Limited’ as tasting good and less harsh tasting compared with ‘Wild Rush Encore’. In study 2, compared with ‘Island Madness’, more participants perceived ‘Boozy Watermelon’ as tasting good, less harsh tasting and used by younger users but less by masculine users; female participants were more likely to purchase ‘Boozy Watermelon’. In study 3, participants perceived ‘Wild Rush Encore’ with the explicit flavour descriptor as tasting better than packages without and being used by younger users but less by masculine users.ConclusionsVariations in cigarillo packaging, even among cigarillos with the same flavour, may have differential consumer appeal, suggesting packaging features should be considered in cigar product regulation.
Tight Bounds for Asymptotic and Approximate Consensus
Authors: Függer Matthias , Nowak Thomas , Schwarz Manfred 
Published: October 2021

Agreeing on a common value among a set of agents is a fundamental problem in distributed computing, which occurs in several variants: In contrast to exact consensus, approximate variants are studied in systems where exact agreement is not possible or required, e.g., in human-made distributed control systems and in the analysis of natural distributed systems, such as bird flocking and opinion dynamics.
We study the time complexity of two classical agreement problems: non-terminating asymptotic consensus and terminating approximate consensus. Asymptotic consensus, requires agents to repeatedly set their outputs such that the outputs converge to a common value within the convex hull of initial values; approximate consensus requires agents to eventually stop setting their outputs, which must then lie within a predefined distance of each other.
We prove tight lower bounds on the contraction ratios of asymptotic consensus algorithms subject to oblivious message adversaries, from which we deduce bounds on the time complexity of approximate consensus algorithms. In particular, the obtained bounds show optimality of asymptotic and approximate consensus algorithms presented by Charron-Bost et al. (ICALP’16) for certain systems, including the strongest oblivious message adversary in which asymptotic and approximate consensus are solvable. As a corollary we also obtain asymptotically tight bounds for asymptotic consensus in the classical asynchronous model with crashes.
Central to the lower-bound proofs is an extended notion of valency, the set of reachable limits of an asymptotic consensus algorithm starting from a given configuration. We further relate topological properties of valencies to the solvability of exact consensus, shedding some light on the relation of these three fundamental problems in dynamic networks.
A Dual PI3K/HDAC Inhibitor Induces Immunogenic Ferroptosis to Potentiate Cancer Immune Checkpoint Therapy
Authors: Fan Fushun , Liu Pei , Bao Rudi , Chen Jian , Zhou Minhua , Mo Zhenxian , Ma Yaru , Liu Haiqi , Zhou Yiping , Cai Xiong , Qian Changgeng , Liu Xinjian 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

The capacity of targeted anticancer agents to exert immunomodulatory effects provides a strong rationale to develop novel agents suitable for combinatorial regimens with immunotherapy to improve clinical outcomes. In this study, we developed a dual-targeting PI3K and HDAC inhibitor BEBT-908 that potently inhibits tumor cell growth and potentiates anti-PD1 therapy in mice by inducing immunogenic ferroptosis in cancer cells. Treatment with BEBT-908 promoted ferroptotic cell death of cancer cells by hyperacetylating p53 and facilitating the expression of ferroptotic signaling. Furthermore, BEBT-908 promoted a proinflammatory tumor microenvironment that activated host antitumor immune responses and potentiated immune checkpoint blockade therapy. Mechanistically, BEBT-908–induced ferroptosis led to upregulation of MHC class I and activation of endogenous IFNγ signaling in cancer cells via the STAT1 signaling pathway. The dual PI3K/HDAC inhibitor BEBT-908 is a promising targeted therapeutic agent against multiple cancer types that promotes immunogenic ferroptosis and enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy.

Significance:
The dual PI3K/HDAC inhibitor BEBT-908 elicits potent antitumor responses, effectively inducing immunogenic ferroptosis of tumor cells and potentiating cancer immunotherapy.
Gut Microbiome–Dependent Metabolic Pathways and Risk of Lethal Prostate Cancer: Prospective Analysis of a PLCO Cancer Screening Trial Cohort
Authors: Reichard Chad A. , Naelitz Bryan D. , Wang Zeneng , Jia Xun , Li Jianbo , Stampfer Meir J. , Klein Eric A. , Hazen Stanley L. , Sharifi Nima 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Background:
Diet and the gut microbiome have a complex interaction that generates metabolites with an unclear effect on lethal prostate cancer risk. Identification of modifiable risk factors for lethal prostate cancer is challenging given the long natural history of this disease and difficulty of prospectively identifying lethal cancers.

Methods:
Mass spectrometry was performed on baseline serum samples collected from 173 lethal prostate cancer cases and 519 controls enrolled in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening trial. Baseline serum levels of choline, carnitine, betaine, γ-butyrobetaine, crotonobetaine, phenylacetylglutamine, hippuric acid, and p-cresol sulfate were quantified and analyzed by quartile. Conditional multivariable logistic regression analysis associated analyte levels with lethal prostate cancer incidence after adjusting for body mass index and PSA. The Cochran–Armitage test evaluated analyte level trends across quartiles.

Results:
Relative to those in the first quartile, cases with the highest baseline levels of choline (Q4 OR: 2.19; 95% CI, 1.23–3.90; P-trend: 0.005) and betaine (Q4 OR: 1.86; 95% CI, 1.05–3.30; P-trend: 0.11) exhibited increased odds of developing lethal prostate cancer. Higher baseline serum levels of phenylacetylglutamine (Q4 OR: 2.55; 95% CI, 1.40–4.64; P-trend: 0.003), a gut microbiome metabolite of phenylalanine with adrenergic activity, were also associated with lethal prostate cancer.

Conclusions:
Baseline serum levels of one-carbon methyl donors and adrenergic compounds resulting from human and gut microbiota–mediated metabolism are associated with increased lethal prostate cancer risk.

Impact:
Dietary composition, circulating metabolite levels, and downstream signaling pathways may represent modifiable risk factors associated with incident lethal prostate cancer. Beta-adrenergic blockade represents an additional target for oncologic risk reduction.
Intracellular Cholesterol Pools Regulate Oncogenic Signaling and Epigenetic Circuitries in Early T-cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Rashkovan Marissa , Albero Robert , Gianni Francesca , Perez-Duran Pablo , Miller Hannah I. , Mackey Adam L. , Paietta Elisabeth M. , Tallman Martin S. , Rowe Jacob M. , Litzow Mark R. , Wiernik Peter H. , Luger Selina , Sulis Maria Luisa , Soni Rajesh K. , Ferrando Adolfo A. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Early T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ETP-ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy associated with early relapse and poor prognosis that is genetically, immunophenotypically, and transcriptionally distinct from more mature T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) tumors. Here, we leveraged global metabolomic and transcriptomic profiling of primary ETP- and T-ALL leukemia samples to identify specific metabolic circuitries differentially active in this high-risk leukemia group. ETP-ALLs showed increased biosynthesis of phospholipids and sphingolipids and were specifically sensitive to inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the mevalonate pathway. Mechanistically, inhibition of cholesterol synthesis inhibited oncogenic AKT1 signaling and suppressed MYC expression via loss of chromatin accessibility at a leukemia stem cell–specific long-range MYC enhancer. In all, these results identify the mevalonate pathway as a druggable novel vulnerability in high-risk ETP-ALL cells and uncover an unanticipated critical role for cholesterol biosynthesis in signal transduction and epigenetic circuitries driving leukemia cell growth and survival.

Significance:
Overtly distinct cell metabolic pathways operate in ETP- and T-ALL pointing to specific metabolic vulnerabilities. Inhibition of mevalonate biosynthesis selectively blocks oncogenic AKT–MYC signaling in ETP-ALL and suppresses leukemia cell growth. Ultimately, these results will inform the development of novel tailored and more effective treatments for patients with high-risk ETP-ALL.
This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 587
A new species of Abacarus Keifer (Acari: Eriophyidae) from Brazil
Authors: Flechtmann Carlos Holger Wenzel , Tassi Aline Daniele 
Published: October 2021

Zoysiagrass is an important ornamental and turfgrass cultivated in different countries. Recently, damage to this plant, characterized by a type of witch’s broom and stunting were observed in southern Brazil, suggesting possible attack by mites. A detailed examination of these plants showed the presence of a new mite species, Abacarus zoysiae Flechtmann & Tassi sp. nov., as responsible for the damage. The objective of this publication is to describe that new species, based on adult females and males.
Species list of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in the Nhecolândia, Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Martins Mila Ferraz de Oliveira , Nickele Mariane Aparecida , Feitosa Rodrigo Machado , Pie Marcio Roberto , Reis-Filho Wilson 
Published: October 2021

This study provides a list of the ground-dwelling ant species in Nhecolândia, Pantanal, Mato Grosso Sul, Brazil. The Pantanal is the largest tropical wetland in the world and is currently under strong anthropic pressure. Ground-dwelling ants were collected in three sites: (1) a forest regeneration area; (2) a pasture area; and (3) an area of secondary native vegetation. In each site, 120 samples were collected using pitfall traps in the dry and rainy seasons of 2016. Additional samplings were performed with Winkler extractors (30 leaf-litter samples) and manually, also in dry and rainy seasons of 2016. In total, we collected 172 species, which, summed with the additional records from literature, raise the number of ant species recorded in Nhecolândia to 184 in 42 genera and nine subfamilies. Eleven species were recorded for the first time in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Also, the survey adds two new species records to Brazil. Besides contributing to the inventory of the ant species present in the Pantanal biome, the present study provides an important resource for future conservation plans for this threatened ecoregion.
Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)
Authors: Zocche Jairo José , Carvalho Fernando , Cruz-Neto Ariovaldo Pereira 
Published: October 2021

Cinclodes pabsti is an endemic passerine restricted to the highland areas in southern Brazil. The aim of this study was to provide information on its breeding biology. The nesting cavities along road cuts were monitored from May 2008 to March 2011. The survey was carried out monthly from May to July 2008, February to July 2009, 2010 (non-breeding season), weekly from August 2008 to January 2009, 2010 (breeding season), and on a 2 to 4-days basis from August 2010 to January 2011. The geographic location, physical characteristics, and soil/substrate type in which the nesting cavities were situated were recorded. The total number of cavities used in the three breeding seasons was 136, resulting in 295 nests. The distance of a nest to its nearest neighbor ranged from 24-2,368 m, with a higher number of nests (n = 34; 59.7%) in the distance interval of 24-500 m. There was a greater usage of cavities located in Inceptisols, and the distances of nesting cavity entrances to the ground and to the top of road cuts were 1.6 ± 0.9 m and 0.8 ± 0.62 m, respectively. The breeding season lasted 148 days from mid-August to early January. Clutch size (n = 256) varied from 2 to 3 eggs, and the eggs (n = 155) had a total length of 27.2 ± 1.3 mm, breadth of 20.9 ± 0.8 mm, and mass of 6.2 ± 0.7 g. The incubation phase lasted 17.3 ± 0.8 days and the nestling phase for 18.3 ± 1.5 days. The body mass of the chicks was 6.0 ± 1.0 g just after hatching and reached a maximum of 59.6 ± 2.4 g at 16 days of age. Our results can contribute to filling the gaps in knowledge of C. pabsti ecology, because its habitat is under high anthropic pressures and the information on its life history is yet limited.
New genus and species of Schizomyiina (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) from Brazil
Authors: Proença Barbara , Cid Maia Valéria 
Published: October 2021

A new gall midge genus, Distinctamyia gen. nov., and a new species Distinctamyia matogrossensis sp. nov. (Diptera, Cecidomyiidae) are herein described and illustrated (larvae, pupal exuviae, male and female). The new species induces conical, green, hairy and one chambered galls on leaf and bud of Simarouba amara Aubl. (Simaroubaceae). Gall-inducer specimens, samples of gall and host plant were collected at Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães, in the state of Mato Grosso (Midwestern Brazil).
A preliminary survey and range extension of millipedes species introduced in Brazil (Myriapoda, Diplopoda)
Authors: Iniesta Luiz Felipe Moretti , Bouzan Rodrigo Salvador , Rodrigues Patrícia Elesbão da Silva , Almeida Thais Melo de , Ott Ricardo , Brescovit Antonio Domingos 
Published: October 2021

The present study provides historical and new records of the introduced millipedes species in Brazil, Oxidus gracilis (C.L. Koch, 1847), Orthomorpha coarctata (Saussure, 1860) (Paradoxosomatidae), Prosopodesmus jacobsoni Silvestri, 1910 (Haplodesmidae), Trachyjulus calvus (Pocock, 1893a), Glyphiulus granulatus (Gervais, 1847) (Cambalopsidae), Trigoniulus corallinus (Gervais, 1842), Leptogoniulus sorornus (Butler, 1876), Epitrigoniulus cruentatus (Brölemann, 1903) (Pachybolidae), Paraspirobolus lucifugus (Gervais, 1837) (Spirobolellidae), Cylindroiulus britannicus (Verhoeff, 1891), Cylindroiulus truncorum (Silvestri, 1896) (Julidae), and Rhinotus purpureus (Pocock, 1894) (Siphonotidae). Among the 27 federative units in Brazil, 21 states present at least one record of a non-native species. Orthomorpha coarctata was the most widely distributed species, occurring in 15 states. Glyphiulus granulatus (state of Rio Grande do Sul), C. truncorum (São Paulo), and R. purpureus (Amazonas) were recorded from only one Brazilian state. The Southeast region concentrates most of the compiled records (42,6%) and richness by grid (5-7 species), mainly in urban areas of the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
The first Dexiinae from Mauritius: the description of a new species of Pandelleia Villeneuve, 1907 (Diptera, Tachinidae)
Authors: De Santis Marcelo Domingos , Nihei Silvio Shigueo 
Published: October 2021

A new species of the Afro-Palearctic genus Pandelleia Villeneuve, 1907 (Diptera: Tachinidae), P. crosskeyi sp. nov., from Mauritius is described. This is the first Dexiinae to be described from Mauritius. In addition, this new species corresponds to the ninth species for this genus, and the third in the Afrotropics. The main external features that distinguish it from the other species in this genus is the abdomen that lacks the pair of small, round and dark brown spots, vein M ending in R₄₊₅ at a 90° angle, and female with dark brown scutellum.
Two newly introduced Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) species in Colombia: Brachyplatys subaenus (Plataspidae) and Thaumastocoris peregrinus (Thaumastocoridae)
Authors: Forero Dimitri 
Published: October 2021

The introduction of alien species can carry negative consequences to the areas in which they appear. Early detection of introduced species is key if management practices are to be effectively implemented. Here, based on specimens from collections and citizen science observations, we document the recent introduction of two alien Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) species in Colombia: Brachyplatys subaenus (Westwood, 1837) (Plataspidae) and Thaumastocoris peregrinus Carpintero & Dellapé, 2006 (Thaumastocoridae). Brachyplatys subaenus was found in two localities (Bolívar and Valle del Cauca), whereas T. peregrinus was found in a single locality (Bogotá) so far. Future research activities should establish the geographic range of these species, as well as document their host plant associations, in Colombia.
First record of Cnidocodon leopoldi Bouillon, 1978 (Cnidaria: Anthoathecata) in the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Tosetto Everton Giachini , Bertrand Arnaud , Neumann-Leitão Sigrid , Nogueira-Jr. Miodeli 
Published: October 2021

Specimens of the hydromedusa Cnidocodon leopoldi Bouillon, 1978 were collected in waters off the northeast Brazilian coast between 7.4°S, 34.3°W and 8.7°S, 34.8°W. The genus can be distinguished from other anthomedusae by the presence of four marginal perradial bulbs having an adaxial nematocyst cushion and branched capitate tentacles, an umbrella with scattered nematocysts, and gonads around a cylindrical manubrium shorter than the umbrella. Specimens were assigned to C. leopoldi due the tentacles with 4-5 branches and the absence of ocelli on tentacle bulbs differing from the congeneric Cnidocodon ocellata Huang, Xu, Lin & Qiu, 2008. This study represents the first record of the species in the Atlantic Ocean.