bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity and population structure of a global invader Mayweed chamomile (Anthemis cotula): management implications
Authors: Adhikari Subodh , Revolinski Samuel R , Eigenbrode Sanford D , Burke Ian C 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Mayweed chamomile (Anthemis cotula) is a globally invasive, troublesome annual weed but knowledge of its genetic diversity, population structure in invaded regions and invasion patterns remains unstudied. Therefore, germplasm from 19 A. cotula populations (sites) from three geographically distinct invaded regions: the Walla Walla Basin (located in southern Washington) and the Palouse (located in both northern Idaho and eastern Washington), Pacific Northwest, USA and Kashmir Valley, India were grown in the greenhouse for DNA extraction and sequencing. A total of 18 829 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were called and filtered for each of 89 samples. Pairwise FST, Nei’s genetic distance, heterozygosity, Wright’s inbreeding coefficient (F) and self-fertilization rates were estimated for populations within and among the three regions with a total of 19 populations comprised of 89 individuals. Overall measurements of genetic variation were low but significant among regions, populations and individuals. Despite the weak genetic structure, two main genetic clusters were evident, one comprised of populations from Palouse and Kashmir Valley, the other comprised of populations from the Walla Walla Basin. Significant selfing was observed in populations from the Walla Walla Basin and Palouse but not from Kashmir Valley, indicating that Mayweed chamomile in the Pacific Northwest, USA could persist with low pollinator or pollen donor densities. Although FST values between the regions indicate Palouse populations are more closely related to Kashmir Valley than to Walla Walla Basin populations, based on Migrate-n analysis, panmixis was the most likely model, suggesting an unrestricted gene flow among all three regions. Our study indicated that Kashmir Valley populations either originated from or shared the origin with the Palouse populations, suggesting human-mediated migration of A. cotula between regions.
Mendelian randomization under the omnigenic architecture
Authors: Wang Lu , Gao Boran , Fan Yue , Xue Fuzhong , Zhou Xiang 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Mendelian randomization (MR) is a common analytic tool for exploring the causal relationship among complex traits. Existing MR methods require selecting a small set of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to serve as instrument variables. However, selecting a small set of SNPs may not be ideal, as most complex traits have a polygenic or omnigenic architecture and are each influenced by thousands of SNPs. Here, motivated by the recent omnigenic hypothesis, we present an MR method that uses all genome-wide SNPs for causal inference. Our method uses summary statistics from genome-wide association studies as input, accommodates the commonly encountered horizontal pleiotropy effects and relies on a composite likelihood framework for scalable computation. We refer to our method as the omnigenic Mendelian randomization, or OMR. We examine the power and robustness of OMR through extensive simulations including those under various modeling misspecifications. We apply OMR to several real data applications, where we identify multiple complex traits that potentially causally influence coronary artery disease (CAD) and asthma. The identified new associations reveal important roles of blood lipids, blood pressure and immunity underlying CAD as well as important roles of immunity and obesity underlying asthma.
Bumblebees, the proficient mountain pollinators: evidence from Stachys germanica (Lamiaceae) along the altitudinal gradient of Mount Olympus, Greece
Authors: Minachilis Konstantinos , Kantsa Aphrodite , Petanidou Theodora 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Pollen limitation and its drivers along altitudinal clines form a controversial topic, highlighting the need for more studies and in different biomes. We tested the hypothesis that the populations of a predominantly bee-pollinated plant are pollen-limited along elevations and examined whether this is related to bee visitation rate. For two years, we studied flower visitation, pollen limitation and mating system using five populations of Stachys germanica L. occurring between 327 and 1936 m a.s.l. on Mt. Olympus, Greece. S. germanica showed moderate to high self-compatibility, low spontaneous self-pollination and low pollen limitation across all altitudes and years. Bumblebees were the dominant pollinators; their visitation increased with altitude and was positively correlated with seed set and negatively correlated with pollen limitation. The opposite trend was found for the visitation by other pollinators. Seed mass was independent of visitation. Low pollen limitation is evidently due to high bumblebee visitation along the altitude, whereas seed mass could be linked to resource availability or environmental conditions. Our findings underline the functional role of bumblebees on Mediterranean mountains, and the need to focus on bumblebee conservation on this legendary mountain.
Characterization of different oligomeric forms of CRISP2 in the perinuclear theca versus the fibrous tail structures of boar spermatozoa†
Authors: Zhang M , Bromfield E G , Veenendaal T , Klumperman J , Helms J B , Gadella B M 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Mammalian sperm carry a variety of highly condensed insoluble protein structures such as the perinuclear theca, the fibrous sheath and the outer dense fibers, which are essential to sperm function. We studied the role of cysteine rich secretory protein 2 (CRISP2); a known inducer of non-pathological protein amyloids, in pig sperm with a variety of techniques. CRISP2, which is synthesized during spermatogenesis, was localized by confocal immunofluorescent imaging in the tail and in the post-acrosomal region of the sperm head. High-resolution localization by immunogold labeling electron microscopy of ultrathin cryosections revealed that CRISP2 was present in the perinuclear theca and neck region of the sperm head, as well as in the outer dense fibers and the fibrous sheath of the sperm tail. Interestingly, we found that under native, non-reducing conditions CRISP2 formed oligomers both in the tail and the head but with different molecular weights and different biochemical properties. The tail oligomers were insensitive to reducing conditions but nearly complete dissociated into monomers under 8 M urea treatment, while the head 250 kDa CRISP2 positive oligomer completely dissociated into CRISP2 monomers under reducing conditions. The head specific dissociation of CRISP2 oligomer is likely a result of the reduction of various sulfhydryl groups in the cysteine rich domain of this protein. The sperm head CRISP2 shared typical solubilization characteristics with other perinuclear theca proteins as was shown with sequential detergent and salt treatments. Thus, CRISP2 is likely to participate in the formation of functional protein complexes in both the sperm tail and sperm head, but with differing oligomeric organization and biochemical properties. Future studies will be devoted to the understand the role of CRISP2 in sperm protein complexes formation and how this contributes to the fertilization processes.
Drug-coated balloon angioplasty for failing haemodialysis access: meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Hu H , Tan Q , Wang J , Liu Y , Yang Y , Zhao J 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Background
Arteriovenous fistulas, a major treatment for end-stage kidney disease, frequently require endovascular reinterventions to maintain haemodialysis function. Drug-coated angioplasty balloons (DCBs) were developed with the intention of reducing reintervention rates. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of DCBs in the treatment of failing haemodialysis access.

Methods
Electronic databases were searched systematically to identify all relevant RCTs and any follow-up studies from RCTs. Pooled estimates of dichotomous outcomes were calculated using the odds ratio (OR) and 95 per cent confidence interval. Effect data are presented as summary hazard ratio and 95 per cent confidence interval.

Results
Some 19 studies from 18 RCTs and comprising 1898 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Compared with plain balloon angioplasty (PBA), DCB use was associated with higher target-lesion primary patency (HR 0.60, 95 per cent c.i. 0.45 to 0.79), access-circuit primary patency (HR 0.67, 0.56 to 0.80), and less target-lesion revascularization (TLR) within 6 months (OR 0.33, 0.23 to 0.47). No difference was observed between DCB and PBA in 12-month TLR (OR 0.62, 0.28 to 1.37). Mortality after DCB use was similar to that associated with PBA use at 6 months (OR 1.20, 0.65 to 2.21) and 12 months (OR 0.99, 0.66 to 1.49), and was higher at 24 months (23.1 versus 16.6 per cent), although the difference was not statistically significant (OR 1.53, 0.92 to 2.53).

Conclusion
Drug-coated balloon angioplasty of haemodialysis fistulas is associated with higher patency rates and lower rates of reintervention in the short to mid term. Although mortality rates appeared to be higher with drug-coated angioplasty at 24 months, this did not reach statistical significance.
Phylogenetic analysis ofDioscorea(Dioscoreaceae) from Japan and adjacent regions based on plastid and nuclear DNA sequences, with special reference to the taxonomic status of selected taxa
Authors: Noda Hiroshi , Fuse Shizuka , Yamashita Jun , Poopath Manop , Pooma Rachun , Tamura Minoru N 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTo clarify phylogenetic relationships among Japanese Dioscorea taxa and to re-examine taxonomy based on these relationships, we conducted molecular phylogenetic analyses of four plastid regions [trnK (including matK), rbcL, atpB and trnL-F] and two nuclear regions (PHYC and 18S rDNA) for all Dioscorea taxa from Japan and selected taxa from adjacent regions. Although species are often sympatric and variation in leaf shape is relatively wide within species and not clearly demarcated between species, our results suggest that Japanese Dioscorea spp. do not hybridize. Our results also resolve several taxonomic issues surrounding Japanese species. We confirm that D. japonica, D. polystachya, D. pseudojaponica and D. tabatae, which are morphologically similar, are distinct species. Further, plants from the Daito Islands identified as D. luzonensis, which have never been observed to flower to our knowledge, are attributable to D. pseudojaponica. Dioscorea zentaroana, often treated as a synonym of D. asclepiadea, was found to be distinct from the latter. Dioscorea izuensis should be treated as D. collettii var. izuensis. In conclusion, 16 species and three varieties of native Dioscorea should be recognized in Japan.
The Robert Capa Myth: Hegemonic Masculinity in Photojournalism’s Professional Indoctrination
Authors: Assaf Christopher T , Bock Mary Angela 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis project examines the mythos of famed war photographer Robert Capa and its influence on the photojournalistic canon. Using Barthes’ concept of ideological myth as a foundation, the project examines four sets of discourses about Capa: his own self-promotion, biographies, exhibition reviews, and photojournalistic textbooks. The analysis suggests that the Capa myth is characterized by hegemonic masculinity, emphasizing risk-taking, strength and courage, in ways that may occlude the famed photographer’s humanity. The corpus chosen for this project enabled an ideological analysis and critique of the way the Capa myth permeates the field’s indoctrination. The project finds that the mythic portrait of Capa has had considerable influence on photojournalistic education but may no longer serve the larger field.
Leveraging a Preexisting Global Infectious Disease Network for Local Decision Making During a Pandemic
Authors: Herstein Jocelyn J , Lowe John J , Wolf Timo , Vasoo Shawn , Leo Yee Sin , Chin Bum Sik , Shen Yinzhong , Hewlett Angela L , Lawler James V 
Published: July 2021

AbstractEmerging infectious disease epidemics require a rapid response from health systems; however, evidence-based consensus guidelines are generally absent early in the course of events. Formed in 2017 by 5 high-level isolation units spanning 3 continents, the experience of the Global Infectious Disease Preparedness Network (GIDPN) early in the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) provides a model for accelerating best practice development and improving decision-making in health emergencies. The network served as a platform for real-time, open and transparent information-sharing during unknowns of an active outbreak by clinicians caring for patients, by researchers conducting clinical trials and transmission and infection prevention studies, and by teams advising local and national policy makers. Shared knowledge led to earlier adoption of some treatment modalities as compared to most peer institutions and to implementation of protocols prior to incorporation into national guidelines. GIDPN and similar networks are integral in enhancing preparedness for and response to future epidemics/pandemics.
Disparities in patient engagement with video telemedicine among high-video-use providers during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Grady Connor B , Claus Elizabeth B , Bunn David A , Pagliaro Jaclyn A , Lichtman Judith H , Bhatt Ami B 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Aims
Known racial, ethnic, age, and socioeconomic disparities in video telemedicine engagement may widen existing health inequities. We assessed if telemedicine disparities were alleviated among patients of high-video-use providers at a large cardiovascular practice.

Methods and results
All telemedicine visits from 16 March to 31 October 2020 and patient demographics were collected from an administrative database. Providers in the upper quintile of video use were classified as high-video-use providers. Descriptive statistics and a multivariable logistic model were calculated to determine the distribution and predictors of a patient ever having a video visit vs. only phone visits. A total of 24 470 telemedicine visits were conducted among 18 950 patients by 169 providers. Video visits accounted for 48% of visits (52% phone). Among telemedicine visits conducted by high-video-use providers (n = 33), ever video patients were younger (P &lt; 0.001) and included 78% of Black patients vs. 86% of White patients (P &lt; 0.001), 74% of Hispanic patients vs. 86% of non-Hispanic patients (P &lt; 0.001), and 79% of public insurance patients vs. 91% of private insurance patients (P &lt; 0.001). High-video-use provider patients had 9.4 (95% confidence interval 8.4–10.4) times the odds of having video visit compared to low-video-use provider patients.

Conclusion
These results suggest that provider-focused solutions alone, including promoting provider adoption of video visits, may not adequately reduce disparities in telemedicine engagement. Even in the presence of successful clinical infrastructure for telemedicine, individuals of Black race, Hispanic ethnicity, older age, and with public insurance continue to have decreased engagement. To achieve equity in telemedicine, patient-focused design is needed.
Supracommissural replacement of the ascending aorta and the aortic valve via partial versus full sternotomy—a propensity-matched comparison in a high-volume centre
Authors: Haunschild Josephina , van Kampen Antonia , von Aspern Konstantin , Misfeld Martin , Davierwala Piroze , Saeed Diyar , Borger Michael A , Etz Christian D 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Full sternotomy (FS) is the common surgical access for patients undergoing open aortic valve replacement (AVR) with concomitant supracommissural replacement of the tubular ascending aorta. Since minimally invasive approaches are being used with increasing frequency in cardiac surgery, the aim of this study was to compare outcomes of patients undergoing AVR with supracommissural replacement of the tubular ascending aorta via FS versus partial upper sternotomy (PS).

METHODS
We included all patients who underwent elective AVR with concomitant supracommissural replacement of the tubular ascending aorta at our institution between 2000 and 2015. Exclusion criteria were emergency surgery, other major concomitant procedures and reoperations. After 2:1 propensity score matching, outcomes of patients with PS and FS were compared.

RESULTS
A total of 652 consecutive patients were included, 117 patients operated via PS and 234 patients operated via FS. Cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic cross-clamp time of the PS and FS groups were 89 vs 92 min (P = 0.2) and 65 vs 70 min (P = 0.3), respectively. Postoperative morbidity was low and there were no significant differences in postoperative outcomes between patient groups. In-hospital mortality was 1.7% in the PS vs 0.4% in the FS group (P = 0.3). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed no difference in mid-term survival (P = 0.3). Reoperation rates for valve or aortic complications were very low with no significant difference between groups.

CONCLUSIONS
In a high-volume centre with extensive experience in minimally invasive cardiac surgery, AVR with concomitant supracommissural replacement of the tubular ascending aorta via PS results in similar outcomes with regard to safety and longevity when compared to conventional FS.
Ticagrelor monotherapy in patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: TWILIGHT-CKD
Authors: Stefanini Giulio G , Briguori Carlo , Cao Davide , Baber Usman , Sartori Samantha , Zhang Zhongjie , Dangas George , Angiolillo Dominick J , Mehta Shamir , Cohen David J , Collier Timothy , Dudek Dariusz , Escaned Javier , Gibson C Michael , Gil Robert , Huber Kurt , Kaul Upendra , Kornowski Ran , Krucoff Mitchell W , Kunadian Vijay , Moliterno David J , Ohman E Magnus , Oldroyd Keith G , Sardella Gennaro , Sharma Samin K , Shlofmitz Richard , Weisz Giora , Witzenbichler Bernhard , Pocock Stuart , Mehran Roxana 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Aims
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on the safety and efficacy of ticagrelor monotherapy among patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods and results
In this prespecified subanalysis of the TWILIGHT trial, we evaluated the treatment effects of ticagrelor with or without aspirin according to renal function. The trial enrolled patients undergoing drug-eluting stent implantation who fulfilled at least one clinical and one angiographic high-risk criterion. Chronic kidney disease, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) &lt;60 mL/min/1.73 m2, was a clinical study entry criterion. Following a 3-month period of ticagrelor plus aspirin, event-free patients were randomly assigned to aspirin or placebo on top of ticagrelor for an additional 12 months. Of the 6835 patients randomized and with available eGFR at baseline, 1111 (16.3%) had CKD. Ticagrelor plus placebo reduced the primary endpoint of Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC) type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding as compared with ticagrelor plus aspirin in both patients with [4.6% vs. 9.0%; hazard ratio (HR) 0.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31–0.80] and without (4.0% vs. 6.7%; HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.47–0.75; P interaction = 0.508) CKD, but the absolute risk reduction was greater in the former group. Rates of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke were not significantly different between the two randomized groups irrespective of the presence (7.9% vs. 5.7%; HR 1.40, 95% CI 0.88–2.22) or absence of (3.2% vs. 3.6%; HR 0.90, 95% CI 0.68–1.20; P interaction = 0.111) CKD.

Conclusion
Among CKD patients undergoing PCI, ticagrelor monotherapy reduced the risk of bleeding without a significant increase in ischaemic events as compared with ticagrelor plus aspirin.
Artificial intelligence in the diagnosis and management of arrhythmias
Authors: Nagarajan Venkat D , Lee Su-Lin , Robertus Jan-Lukas , Nienaber Christoph A , Trayanova Natalia A , Ernst Sabine 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
The field of cardiac electrophysiology (EP) had adopted simple artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies for decades. Recent renewed interest in deep learning techniques has opened new frontiers in electrocardiography analysis including signature identification of diseased states. Artificial intelligence advances coupled with simultaneous rapid growth in computational power, sensor technology, and availability of web-based platforms have seen the rapid growth of AI-aided applications and big data research. Changing lifestyles with an expansion of the concept of internet of things and advancements in telecommunication technology have opened doors to population-based detection of atrial fibrillation in ways, which were previously unimaginable. Artificial intelligence-aided advances in 3D cardiac imaging heralded the concept of virtual hearts and the simulation of cardiac arrhythmias. Robotics, completely non-invasive ablation therapy, and the concept of extended realities show promise to revolutionize the future of EP. In this review, we discuss the impact of AI and recent technological advances in all aspects of arrhythmia care.
Anticoagulation, therapy of concomitant conditions, and early rhythm control therapy: a detailed analysis of treatment patterns in the EAST - AFNET 4 trial
Authors: Metzner Andreas , Suling Anna , Brandes Axel , Breithardt , Günter , Camm A John , Crijns Harry J G M , Eckardt , Lars , Elvan , Arif , Goette , Andreas , Haegeli , Laurent M , Heidbuchel , Hein , Kautzner , Josef , Kuck , Karl-Heinz , Mont , Luis , Ng G Andre , Szumowski , Lukasz , Themistoclakis , Sakis , van Gelder , Isabelle C , Vardas , Panos , Wegscheider , Karl , Willems , Stephan , Kirchhof Paulus 
Published: July 2021

Abstract

Aims
Treatment patterns were compared between randomized groups in EAST-AFNET 4 to assess whether differences in anticoagulation, therapy of concomitant diseases, or intensity of care can explain the clinical benefit achieved with early rhythm control in EAST-AFNET 4.

Methods and results
Cardiovascular treatment patterns and number of visits were compared between randomized groups in EAST-AFNET 4. Oral anticoagulation was used in &gt;90% of patients during follow-up without differences between randomized groups. There were no differences in treatment of concomitant conditions between groups. The type of rhythm control varied by country and centre. Over time, antiarrhythmic drugs were given to 1171/1395 (84%) patients in early therapy, and to 202/1394 (14%) in usual care. Atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation was performed in 340/1395 (24%) patients randomized to early therapy, and in 168/1394 (12%) patients randomized to usual care. 97% of rhythm control therapies were within class I and class III recommendations of AF guidelines. Patients randomized to early therapy transmitted 297 166 telemetric electrocardiograms (ECGs) to a core lab. In total, 97 978 abnormal ECGs were sent to study sites. The resulting difference between study visits was low (0.06 visits/patient/year), with slightly more visits in early therapy (usual care 0.39 visits/patient/year; early rhythm control 0.45 visits/patient/year, P &lt; 0.001), mainly due to visits for symptomatic AF recurrences or recurrent AF on telemetric ECGs.

Conclusion
The clinical benefit of early, systematic rhythm control therapy was achieved using variable treatment patterns of antiarrhythmic drugs and AF ablation, applied within guideline recommendations.