bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Historicising the Monstrous: Georges Bataille’s ‘Les écarts de la nature’ (1930), Pronatalism and French Eugenics in the Interwar Period
Authors: Persson Disa 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
In 1930, six teratological illustrations of children, victims of infant mortality or stillborn, appeared in the avant-garde magazine Documents. Nuancing the deconstructionist reception of the journal, this essay historicises Documents’ ‘monstrous’ children, returning them to the visual culture of interwar France to reinterpret their criticality. Once resituated within such an image economy, the avant-garde strategy that emerges hinges not on an ability to displace signification but on the legibility of an anxiety-laden motif, radically repurposed. Indeed, permeated by fears of impending depopulation, the image of the infant occupied charged territory in Third Republican France. Consequently, French eugenicists too anchored their rhetoric in this anguished terrain. When Documents intervened in France’s longstanding obsession with the child, its ideological currency was agitated. The political programme that it upheld was subverted. As Georges Bataille joyously announced alongside the teratological illustrations, all eugenics proved was that each ‘individual’, unable to meet its ultra-utopian ideals, is ‘a monster’.
RiceSNP-BST: a deep learning framework for predicting biotic stress–associated SNPs in rice
Authors: Xu Jiajun , Gao Yujia , Lu Quan , Zhang Renyi , Gui Jianfeng , Liu Xiaoshuang , Yue Zhenyu 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Rice consistently faces significant threats from biotic stresses, such as fungi, bacteria, pests, and viruses. Consequently, accurately and rapidly identifying previously unknown single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the rice genome is a critical challenge for rice research and the development of resistant varieties. However, the limited availability of high-quality rice genotype data has hindered this research. Deep learning has transformed biological research by facilitating the prediction and analysis of SNPs in biological sequence data. Convolutional neural networks are especially effective in extracting structural and local features from DNA sequences, leading to significant advancements in genomics. Nevertheless, the expanding catalog of genome-wide association studies provides valuable biological insights for rice research. Expanding on this idea, we introduce RiceSNP-BST, an automatic architecture search framework designed to predict SNPs associated with rice biotic stress traits (BST-associated SNPs) by integrating multidimensional features. Notably, the model successfully innovates the datasets, offering more precision than state-of-the-art methods while demonstrating good performance on an independent test set and cross-species datasets. Additionally, we extracted features from the original DNA sequences and employed causal inference to enhance the biological interpretability of the model. This study highlights the potential of RiceSNP-BST in advancing genome prediction in rice. Furthermore, a user-friendly web server for RiceSNP-BST (http://rice-snp-bst.aielab.cc) has been developed to support broader genome research.
Different but not isolated: absence of reproductive barriers and strong floral divergence between ecotypes of Epidendrum fulgens (Orchidaceae)
Authors: Arida Beatriz L , Izquierdo Juliana V , Teixeira Marcelo C , Turchetto Caroline , Benitez-Vieyra Santiago , Pinheiro Fabio 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Reproductive barriers and divergent traits may occur between populations of the same species occurring at different habitat types. Here, we investigated the reproductive compatibility and flower morphology of eight populations of Epidendrum fulgens (Orchidaceae) distributed in two different disjunct environments: coastal sand dunes and inland rock outcrops. We investigated potential reproductive isolation barriers using artificial hand pollination experiments, and considering fruit set and seed viability as proxies for pre- and postzygotic barriers, respectively. For morphology investigation, we analysed the shape of flowers using a geometric morphometric approach. Contrary to our expectations, we found high levels of fruit set (0.85) and seed viability (0.73) in crosses between ecotypes, suggesting a lack of reproductive isolation barriers. Regarding floral morphology, canonical variate analysis revealed all floral parts were significantly different between ecotypes (P &lt; .05), while Procrustes ANOVA on symmetric components of shape indicated lateral sepals (P = .005) and ventral sepal (P = .011) were significantly different. Considering that both ecotypes are found on different habitats, the floral morphological divergence may be affected by specific abiotic conditions affecting flower development and/or different pollinator assemblages. Despite the morphological differences, reproductive barriers between ecotypes are absent, suggesting populations from divergent environments may merge upon secondary contact. Our contrasting results highlight the importance of multidisciplinary approaches for providing insights into the processes operating during the early stages of speciation.
Statin use is associated with higher white matter hyperintensity volumes and lower grey matter volumes
Authors: Gentreau Mélissa , Miguet Maud , Affatato Oreste , Rukh Gull , Schiöth Helgi Birgir 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
While statins are routinely prescribed to prevent cardiovascular diseases, their effects on brain alterations remain largely unknown. Very few studies have examined the differences in brain volumes between statin users and non-users, and existing research has yielded inconsistent results. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the association between statin use at baseline and global and specific brain volumes measured 9 years later in a large population-based sample of middle-aged and older adults. Participants from the UK Biobank without neurological and psychiatric disorders consisted of 3285 statin users (mean 60 years and 69% males) and 36 229 non-users (mean 55 years and 46% males). We used linear models to estimate the mean volumetric differences between statin users and non-users while adjusting for UK Biobank assessment centre, age, sex, ethnicity, education, apolipoprotein E ɛ4 status, Townsend deprivation index, antidepressant use, intracranial volume, lifestyle factors (alcohol intake frequency, smoking and physical activity) and health-related conditions (body mass index, blood pressure, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, head injury, depression and insomnia). Moreover, mediation analysis was performed to evaluate whether the association between statin use and global brain volumes was mediated by total serum cholesterol concentration. Statin use was associated with lower grey matter volume [β = −1575 mm3 (−2358, −791)], with 20% of this association mediated by total serum cholesterol concentration. Statin use was also associated with lower peripheral cortical grey matter volumes [β = −1448 mm3 (−2227, −668)] and higher white matter hyperintensity [β = 0.11 mm3 (0.07, 0.15)]. However, white matter volume did not differ significantly between statin users and non-users. Further analyses revealed that volumes of thalamus, pallidum, hippocampus, nucleus accumbens and other regions of the temporal lobe were smaller among statin users compared with non-users. This study showed that statin use is associated with higher white matter hyperintensity volumes and lower total and peripheral cortical grey matter volumes 9 years later, indicative of the brain’s ageing process. Moreover, the observed grey matter alterations were partially explained by statin-induced total serum cholesterol reduction. This study emphasizes the potential direct and indirect effects of statins on brain volume.
Does de novo malignancy heighten the risk of rejection in kidney transplant recipients?
Authors: Demir Erol , Dincer Mevlut Tamer , Karaca Cebrail , Erel Cansu , Karahan Latif , Pekmezci Aslihan , Trabulus Sinan , Seyahi Nurhan , Turkmen Aydin 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Background
Malignancies are the third leading cause of death among kidney transplant recipients. These patients face increased mortality and challenges such as allograft loss and rejection, which may arise from surgical complications, changes in immunosuppressive therapy or the use of chemotherapeutics. This study aims to examine the risk of allograft rejection and loss in kidney transplant recipients diagnosed with de novo malignancies.

Methods
This retrospective case–control study included adult kidney transplant patients from 1986 to 2020 who developed de novo malignancies. Each patient with a malignancy was matched with a control without malignancy using the nearest neighbor matching method. The outcomes measured were biopsy-confirmed allograft rejection, death-censored allograft loss and overall mortality after the diagnosis of malignancy in the malignancy group and at any point in the control group.

Results
Of 2750 records reviewed, 267 patients (9.7%) had biopsy-confirmed malignancies, with a median age of 60 years and 66.3% men. The median follow-up was 218 months. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the allograft rejection rates were lower in the malignancy group compared with the control group (26 vs 60, P &lt; .001). Overall mortality was higher in the malignancy group, although this difference was not statistically significant (104 vs 73, P = .25). Death-censored allograft loss was similar between groups (22 vs 32, P = .49). Chemotherapy and older recipient age were associated with reduced allograft rejection risk, as indicated by multivariable regression analysis.

Conclusions
In kidney transplant recipients with de novo malignancies, death with a functioning graft remains significant. However, allograft loss rates do not increase compared with those without malignancies, and rejection risk is reduced, especially in older and chemotherapy-treated patients. These findings suggest that managing immunosuppression reduction in this population may be appropriate, but further research is needed to determine optimal care strategies.
Sex-specific temporal trends in incidence and prevalence of chronic kidney disease: a Danish population-based cohort study
Authors: Vestergaard Anne Høy Seemann , Jensen Simon Kok , Heide-Jørgensen Uffe , Ladefoged Søren Andreas , Birn Henrik , Christiansen Christian Fynbo 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Background
Rates of chronic kidney disease (CKD) may change with ageing populations, rising metabolic and cardiovascular disease prevalence, increasing CKD awareness and new treatments. We examined sex-specific temporal trends in CKD incidence and prevalence from 2011 through 2021.

Methods
We conducted a population-based cohort study among adults residing in the North and Central Denmark Regions (population ∼1.5 million in 2021), utilizing routinely collected individual-level laboratory data. We identified individuals with incident or prevalent CKD, using data on plasma creatinine and urine albumin–creatinine ratios from samples performed in outpatient hospital settings or primary care. We estimated annual sex-specific crude and age-standardized incidence and prevalence and tabulated clinical characteristics.

Results
Throughout 2011–2021, CKD incidence and prevalence remained higher among females than males. A transient increase in the crude incidence was observed during 2011–2013, followed by a decrease from 11.8 per 1000 person-years in 2013 [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.5–12.1] to 10.7 in 2021 (95% CI 10.5–11.0) among females and from 10.9 (95% CI 10.7–11.2) to 10.6 (95% CI 10.3–10.8) among males. During 2011–2021, the crude prevalence increased among females from 85.1 per 1000 individuals (95% CI 84.4–85.8) to 99.9 (95% CI 99.2–100.6), and among males from 55.3 (95% CI 54.7–55.9) to 82.4 (95% CI 81.8–83.0). After age standardization, declines in incidence persisted, while the prevalence was stable among females, and the increase persisted among males.

Conclusions
The CKD incidence and prevalence remained higher among females than males during 2011–2021. Despite a notable decline in incidence rates from 2013 onwards, the crude prevalence increased during 2011–2021.
Hybrid stenting through direct ventricular access for severe stenosis of the pulmonary venous baffle after atrial switch operation for transposition of the great arteries: a case report
Authors: Van Kerrebroeck Margaretha , Budts Werner , Pasquet Agnès , De Meester Pieter 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Atrial switch repair was the first surgical intervention to result in long-term survival in patients with ventriculo-arterial discordance or transposition of the great arteries. However, the natural history after atrial switch is not uneventful with frequent atrial arrhythmia, development of baffle stenosis, and eventually heart failure. For this, new interventions might be necessary but are often associated with increased risk.

Case summary
We present the case of a 49-year-old woman born with ventriculo-arterial discordance or dextro-transposition of the great arteries who underwent atrial switch repair according to Mustard at the age of 1 year. She presented with shortness of breath and reduced exercise capacity. The echocardiography revealed prominent turbulent flow at the level of the pulmonary venous baffle (PVB). This was confirmed on cardiac computed tomography. After multidisciplinary discussion, a hybrid approach was considered as the preferred strategy. In this, the cardiac surgeon provided apical access by left lateral thoracotomy. The PVB was accessed retrograde through right ventricular apical access, and stenting with a covered stent with subsequent balloon dilatation up to 13 mm was performed. This reduced the peak gradient on echocardiography from 18 to 11 mmHg. Clinical follow-up was uneventful with improved functional capacity 6 months after discharge.

Discussion
This case provides an alternative access to the PVB by left lateral mini-thoracotomy and apical ventricular access. Furthermore, we highlight the challenges in decision-making and the importance of the multidisciplinary collaboration between adult congenital cardiologist, the echocardiographer, and cardiac surgeon as well as the flexibility in interventional techniques to individualize the management of such cases.
Early discharge programme after transcatheter aortic valve implantation based on close follow-up supported by telemonitoring using artificial intelligence: the TeleTAVI study
Authors: Herrero-Brocal Marta , Samper Raquel , Riquelme Jorge , Pineda Javier , Bordes Pascual , Torres-Mezcua Fernando , Valencia José , Torres-Saura Francisco , Manso María González , Ajo Raquel , Arenas Juan , Feliu Eloísa , Martínez Juan Gabriel , Ruiz-Nodar Juan Miguel 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Aims
Evidence regarding the safety of early discharge following transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of very early (&lt;24) and early discharge (24–48 h) as compared to standard discharge (&gt;48 h), supported by the implementation of a voice-based virtual assistant using artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing.

Methods and results
Single-arm prospective observational study that included consecutive patients who underwent TAVI in a tertiary hospital in 2023 and were discharged under an AI follow-up programme. Primary endpoint was a composite of death, pacemaker implantation, readmission for heart failure, stroke, acute myocardial infarction, major vascular complications, or major bleeding, at 30-day follow-up. A total of 274 patients were included. 110 (40.1%) patients were discharged very early (&lt;24 h), 90 (32.9%) early (24–48 h), and 74 (27.0%) were discharged after 48 h. At 30-day follow-up, no significant differences were found among patients discharged very early, early, and those discharged after 48 h for the primary endpoint (very early 9.1% vs. early 11.1% vs. standard 9.5%; P = 0.88). The AI platform detected complications that could be effectively addressed. The implementation of this follow-up system was simple and satisfactory for TAVI patients.

Conclusion
Early and very early discharge in patients undergoing TAVI, supported by close follow-up using AI, were shown to be safe. Patients with early and very early discharge had similar 30-day event rates compared to those with longer hospital stays. The AI system contributed to the early detection and resolution of complications.
Single high-sensitivity troponin-I for ruling out acute coronary syndrome: a detection limit approach
Authors: Hickling Siobhan , Francis Chelsea J , Chew Derek P , Mitra Biswadev , Hillis Graham S 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Aims
The aim of this study was determine the incidence of major adverse cardiac events within 30 and 365-days among patients discharged from emergency departments (EDs), following a single high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I test result below or close to the limits of detection (LoD).

Methods and results
Patients ≥20 years old who presented to four EDs from mid-2014 to end-2015, underwent a single high-sensitivity troponin test and were discharged were included. Data from ED presentations, hospital admissions, mortality records, and pathology laboratories were linked and harmonized. High-sensitivity troponin levels were categorized as below (&lt;2 ng/L) or close to (&lt;5 ng/L) the LoD. The primary outcome was cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction (MI), identified using ICD-10-AM codes. In a cohort of 6633 patients, 49% had high-sensitivity troponin levels below the LoD (&lt;2 ng/L), and 79% had levels &lt;5 ng/L. There were no primary outcome events at 30-day follow-up among patients with high-sensitivity troponin results below 2 or 5 ng/L. At 365-days, there were 5 (0.15%) and 11 (0.21%) primary outcome events for patients with high-sensitivity troponin results below 2 and 5 ng/L, indicating negative predictive values of 99.85% and 99.79%.

Conclusion
These findings confirm that patients with a single very low level of high-sensitivity troponin on presentation to EDs are at low risk of MI and cardiovascular death at 30 and 365 days, supporting the safety of a triage strategy incorporating a single high-sensitivity troponin result below the LoD to identify patients at low-risk, who may be suitable for expedited discharge.
Prevalence and determinants of dyslipidemia in 2338 Dutch childhood cancer survivors: a DCCS-LATER 2 study
Authors: Bolier Melissa , Pluimakers Vincent G , de Winter Demi T C , Fiocco Marta , van den Berg Sjoerd A A , Bresters Dorine , van Dulmen-den Broeder Eline , van der Heiden-van der Loo Margriet , Höfer Imo , Janssens Geert O , Kremer Leontien C M , Loonen Jacqueline J , Louwerens Marloes , van der Pal Helena J , Pluijm Saskia M F , Tissing Wim J E , van Santen Hanneke M , de Vries Andrica C H , van der Lely Aart-Jan , van den Heuvel-Eibrink Marry M , Neggers Sebastian J C M M 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objective
Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) face an increased risk of early cardiovascular disease (CVD). In our nationwide CCS cohort, we assessed the prevalence and determinants of dyslipidemia, a well-established risk factor for accelerated atherosclerosis and CVD.

Methods
Prevalence of dyslipidemia was cross-sectionally assessed in 2338 adult CCS and compared to adults with no cancer history (Lifelines, n = 132 226). Dyslipidemia was defined by multiple classifications as well as lipid abnormalities to investigate the impact on prevalence and determinants. Logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex, and BMI, were used to assess the cohort effect on presence of dyslipidemia. Determinants of dyslipidemia were identified through multivariable logistic regression.

Results
CCS (median age 34.7 year, median follow-up 27.1 year) had significantly increased odds of dyslipidemia compared to the reference cohort according to all classifications (NCEP-ATP-III, WHO, EGIR, CTCAEv.4.03). In survivors without lipid-lowering agents (n = 2007), lipid abnormalities were present in 20.6% (triglycerides &gt; 1.7 mmol/L), 30.3% (HDL-c &lt; 1.0/1.3 mmol/L (male/female)), 29.9% (total cholesterol &gt; 5.2 mmol/L), 7.3% (LDL-c &gt; 4.1 mmol/L), and 7.7% (apolipoprotein-B &gt; 130 mg/dL). Compared to references without lipid-lowering agents (n = 126 631), survivors had increased odds of high triglycerides (aOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.68-2.13), low HDL-c (aOR = 2.73, 95% CI = 2.46-3.03), and high apolipoprotein-B (aOR = 1.84, 95% CI = 1.53-2.20). Sex, age, BMI, physical activity, abdominal/pelvic, cranial, and total body irradiation, alkylating agents, smoking, growth hormone deficiency, and diabetes mellitus were associated with (≥1 definition of) dyslipidemia in CCS.

Conclusions
CCS is at increased risk of dyslipidemia, with various modifiable and non-modifiable determinants identified, underscoring the importance of survivor-specific risk assessment tools to control cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this high-risk population.
Concentrating intelligence: scaling and market structure in artificial intelligence
Authors: Korinek Anton , Vipra Jai 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
This paper examines the evolving structure and competition dynamics of the rapidly growing market for AI foundation models, with a special focus on large language models. We describe the technological characteristics that shape the AI industry and have given rise to fierce competition among the leading players. The paper analyses the cost structure of foundation models, emphasizing the importance of key inputs such as computational resources, data and talent, and identifies significant economies of scale and scope that may create a tendency towards greater market concentration and natural monopolies in the future. We explore two additional concerns for competition, the risk of market tipping and the implications of vertical integration, and we analyse policy remedies that may contribute to maintaining a competitive landscape. Looking ahead to increasingly transformative AI systems, we discuss how market concentration could translate into unprecedented accumulation of power, highlighting the broader societal stakes of competition policy.